ECZEMA is used to describe a variety of skin disorders characterized by itching, small blisters with oozing, redness and scaling. Eczema often occurs in infants between the age of one month and one year. In older children and adults, eczema usually takes a localized, chronic form. Itching is a constant feature, and the consequent scratching and rubbing lead to an itch-scratch-rash-itch cycle

There are more questions than answers when it comes to eczema in modern medicine. This is because modern medicine focuses on the disease itself and tries to identify what bacteria or viruses, if any, cause the disorder. Experts believe that a reason for eczema is the inability of the skin to retain moisture, but do not know why and how this happens to a particular person in a certain part of the skin. Eczema is generally described as a noninfectious, noncontagious chronic skin disorder, and there is no cure. Corticosteroid creams applied locally are the most widely used medications.

In terms of Chinese medicine, eczema is caused by internal pathogenic heat, dampness, wind, or a mixture of them. The actual cause(s) may be identified by observing the features of affected skin, characteristics of the tongue and general feelings of the patient. Appropriate combinations of herbs are then prescribed, according to the diagnoses, to cool the internal heat, remove the dampness, or expel the wind. This approach has been tried and tested for thousands of years, and common types of eczema and their treatment are well documented in traditional Chinese medicine. A typical patient would be prescribed cool-natured herbs to expel excessive internal heat, anti-fungus herbs to relax itching and moisturising herbs to soften and smooth the affected skin.

It is also important, according to traditional Chinese medicine, to maintain a proper diet to assist medical treatment and to prevent recurrence. As described above, eczema is mainly attributed to excess heat and dampness gathering inside the body. It is helpful to have less food and drink whose natures are hot and/or damp. These include lamb, chili, curry, onion, garlic, alcohol, milk and its products and chocolate. Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally neutral or cold in nature and are therefore good for eczema sufferers.

A SUCCESSFUL STORY
"After years of experimentation with all the creams and potions we could find, I decided to try your Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine on a friend's recommendation. Many thanks - it worked wonders on our children. After two months their skin is great and they are happy and no longer irritated."
Mary - mother of two children with varying degrees of eczema from mild to severe.