Pruritus is the term term used when itching is the
primary complaint unaccompanied by visible skin lesions or systemic diseases predisposing
t itch. It is usually due to dryness and desiccation of the stratum corneum. Use
of antihistamines is often limited because of their sedative effect. Acupuncture
may provide satisfactory relief.
Etiology and Pathogenesis
Pruritus
often occurs before sleeping, precipitated by stress, weather changes, alcoholic
drinks or spicy hot food. according to Chinese medicine, this is due to constitutional
anomaly with heat in blood and further attack by wind-heat which halts in the
sin, or due to blood deficiency with exuberant Liver qi which turns to wind and
causes dryness, impairing the cutaneous nutrition.
Syndrome Differentiation
1.
Wind-dryness and blood-heat: Pruritus of short duration, often occurring in young
adults, dry skin with desquamation.
2. Blood deficiency with liver exuberance:
Pruritus of long duration, often occurring in the elderly, precipitated by emotional
stress or weather changes, reddened skin with rhagades.
Dr. Ming's TCM Medical
Center,
Hua Xi Xiao Yuan, Hutian Developing Area,
Huaihua city, Hunan province
China