1.The wheals appear suddenly. Most of them are red and only a few are pale. Their shapes vary, but they all have a clear border. They may occur throughout the body or may be restricted to the face, neck or limbs. They may arise one after another and recur frequently. After recovery there will be no trace remaining.
2. There is significant itching and a burning sensation.
3. Dermatological test is positive. The wheal may be caused by mechanical stimulation.
4. In case of occurrence in the respiratory tract or on the mucous membranes of the digestive system, some relevant symptoms will develop.
5. The attack can be produced by exposure to cold or heat, or due to psychological disturbance and intake of protein food, etc.
Differentiation and Treatment of Common Syndromes
1.Internal Treatment
a) Wind-Heat
Main Symptoms and Signs: There is severe pruritus, a burning sensation and red wheals on the affected part. The tongue is red with thin yellow fur and the pulse is floating and rapid. Dermatological test is positive.
Therapeutic Principle: Dispel wind and clear heat
Formula: Decoction of Expelling Pathogenic Wind and Clearing Pathogenci Heat
dittany
spirodela
dried/fresh
rehmannia
red peony
honeysuckle
cicada molting
arctium
chrysanthemum
mint
moutan
bark
forsythia
sophora root
licorice root
The above herbs are to be decocted in water for oral administration.
b) Wind-Cold
Signs and Symptoms: There is a sensation of severe itching, the appearance of pale skin wheals, aversion to wind and cold, and a positive dermatographic test. The tongue is pale with thin white fur and the pulse is floating and tight.
Therapeutic Principle: Expel Wind and Disperse Cold
Formula:
schizonepeta
ledebouriella
cinnamon twig
dahurican angelica
Chinese angelica
ligusticum
root
salvia root
licorice root
The above herbs are to be decocted in water for oral administration.
c) Blood Deficiency
Main Signs and Symptoms: The patient has wheals which recur frequently. This pattern easily becomes chronic. It attacks when the patient is caught by cold. Usually, the patient is very weak. The tongue is pale with thin white fur and the pulse is thready.
Therapeutic Principle: Supplement qi, consolidate the surface, and nourish the blood to expel wind.
Formula: Varied Jade Wind-Screen Powder
huang qi (astragalus)
bai zhu (white atractylodes)
fang
feng (ledebouriella)
dang gui (Chinese angelica)
bai shao yao (white peony)
ligusticum
root (chuan xiong)
sheng di huang (dried/fresh rehmannia root)
he shou wu
(flowery knotweed)
jing jie (schizonepeta)
ci ji li (tribulus)
gan cao
(licorice)
The above herbs are to be decocted in water for oral administration.
2.
External Treatment
Powder for arresting itching:
jing
jie (schizonepeta)
hua shi (talcum)
bing pian (borneol)
The
above herbs are to be ground into a fine powder, wrapped with a piece of cloth,
and then rubbed on the affected (i.e. itching) part.
Dr. Ming's TCM Medical
Center,
Hua Xi Xiao Yuan, Hutian Developing Area,
Huaihua city, Hunan province
China