Eczema Health Education
Eczema, atopic dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema are broadly related to dampness and can all be generally termed as eczema. However, the forms of dampness and the body's condition differ, so dampness should not be removed carelessly. Seeking professional medical help is the most efficient and effective approach.
It is commonly said that drinking mung bean and coix seed water or soup can clear heat and remove dampness, but excessive consumption can lead to spleen deficiency and trapped heat and dampness, worsening eczema.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) needs to identify the source of dampness, determining whether it is necessary to remove wind, heat, nourish yin, strengthen the spleen, or address heart or sweating issues. Even though these are all related to dampness, one cannot generalize treatment.
Health Education Tips:
Cold Drinks and Foods: For instance, herbal teas and coconut water can harm your spleen, stomach, and kidney yin.
Early to Bed, Early to Rise: In TCM, the gallbladder governs all internal organs. Therefore, it promotes sleeping during the "zi hour" (11 PM to 1 AM) to maintain healthy detoxification and moisture regulation. People with eczema should not stay up late.
Maintain a Happy Mood: Stress can affect the absorption and digestion of your food, leading to food stagnation and potentially causing eczema.
Be Cautious of Food Stagnation: This refers to poor digestion or the inability to expel digested materials, leading to accumulation and issues at various body sites, which is a common cause of eczema. For more details, please refer to my article on food stagnation.
Bathing Should Not Be Too Hot: Approximately 24-29°C. The simpler the ingredients in your shower gels and skincare products, the better.
Keep Sweat Off: Always wipe off sweat to keep the body clean and prevent triggering eczema.
Dietary Restrictions:
Avoid fish, shrimp, crab, squid, eggs (including egg substitutes).
Avoid bamboo shoots, dried mushrooms, pumpkin, eggplant, goose, and duck meat.
Avoid cold drinks (including most fruits), oily, spicy, baked, fried, stewed, or baked foods.
Avoid mangoes.
Avoid refined sugars and syrups (excessive amounts harm the spleen).
Avoid alcohol.
These can all burden the stomach and worsen digestion, leading to metabolic issues and skin irritation.
Finally, it's important to mention the interaction between yang energy and eczema in TCM. Excessive internal dampness can harm the body's yang energy, but strong yang energy helps manage internal dampness. For those with eczema, try simple methods to boost yang energy:
Sleep during the "wu hour" (11 AM to 1 PM).
Engage in moderate exercise, which is best done to the point of light sweating. Excessive sweating can damage yang energy and qi.
Dry your hair immediately after bathing.