濕疹護膚博客 Eczema Skin Care Blog

The TCM View: Skin Reflects What's Inside

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the skin is a reflection of the body's internal state. Eczema — characterised by redness, itching, and inflammation — is understood as a manifestation of excess damp-heat accumulating in the body. What we eat plays a direct role in either aggravating or calming this internal imbalance.

Foods to Reduce or Avoid

• Beef, goose, and shellfish — highly 'heaty' in TCM, known to intensify damp-heat
• Spicy and deep-fried foods — generate internal heat and worsen inflammation
• Eggs and dairy — common triggers for damp-heat accumulation
• Alcohol — produces dampness internally and should be minimised during flare-ups

Cooling Foods to Add More Of

• Winter melon and cucumber — clear heat and dampness effectively
• Mung beans — a classic TCM ingredient for clearing heat and detoxifying
• Lotus root and barley water — soothe the skin and digestion from within
• Plain congee with minimal seasoning — gentle on digestion during flare-ups

A Note for Breastfeeding Mothers

If your baby has eczema, your own diet matters too. Breastfeeding mothers should pay particular attention to reducing heaty and spicy foods, as these can pass through breast milk and aggravate the baby's damp-heat constitution. Simple dietary adjustments by the mother can often produce noticeable improvements in the baby's skin within days.

Why Do Babies Get Eczema?

In babies, the skin barrier is naturally thinner and more sensitive than in adults, making it more vulnerable to irritants, allergens, and moisture loss. TCM views childhood eczema as a reflection of inherited damp-heat constitution combined with external triggers such as heat, sweat, or dietary factors passed through breast milk.

Gentle Care Tips for Children with Eczema

• Bathe in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes using a fragrance-free, gentle wash
• Pat — never rub — skin dry immediately after bathing
• Apply a gentle moisturiser within 3 minutes of bathing to lock in hydration
• Dress your child in loose, breathable cotton clothing
• Keep bedroom cool and well-ventilated, especially in summer

Eczema Clear for Babies & Children

Ng Yau Chun's Eczema Clear (濕疹清) is gentle enough for use on babies and young children. Used as a diluted soak or wash on affected areas, it soothes itching, reduces redness, and supports skin recovery naturally — without steroids or harsh chemicals. It is also effective for nappy rash, making it a practical all-in-one solution for young families.

A Different Approach to Eczema

While modern treatments often focus on managing flare-ups with steroids or antihistamines, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a different approach: restoring balance from within. TCM teaches that eczema is often linked to internal heat, dampness, or a weakened immune response.

Why Herbal Soaks Work

Topical herbal soaks allow active botanical compounds to penetrate the skin directly at the source of inflammation. Unlike oral medication, there are no systemic side effects — the herbs work gently on the affected area, cooling heat, relieving itch, and supporting skin repair.

Safe for the Whole Family

One of the greatest benefits of herbal skin care is its gentle nature. Eczema Clear is suitable for adults, babies, and children — making it ideal for families dealing with eczema at any age.

What is Eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It is not contagious but can be persistent and recurring. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eczema is often viewed as a result of an imbalance of damp-heat, blood deficiency, and wind in the body.

Common Triggers

• Dry skin and low humidity environments
• Sweat and heat — especially in tropical or warm climates
• Certain foods: dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat
• Synthetic fabrics and rough textures against the skin
• Stress and emotional upheaval
• Harsh soaps, detergents, and skincare products

Management Approach

Effective eczema management typically involves identifying and avoiding personal triggers, maintaining skin hydration, using appropriate topical treatments, and — in TCM — addressing the underlying internal imbalance through herbal soaks and dietary adjustments.

TCM's Approach to Skin Health

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, skin conditions are not treated as isolated problems but as reflections of the body's internal state. Treatment focuses on clearing heat, eliminating dampness, nourishing blood, and expelling wind.

Key Herbs in Eczema Clear

土荊皮 (Cortex Pseudolaricis)

Pseudolarix bark is one of the most well-studied Chinese herbs for skin fungal infections. It contains pseudolaric acids which have demonstrated significant antifungal activity.

大飛揚草 (Herba Euphorbiae Hirtae)

Asthma weed is widely used in traditional medicine across Asia for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antihistamine properties.

Bathing & Skin Care Routine

• Use lukewarm (not hot) water for bathing — hot water strips natural oils
• Limit bath time to 10–15 minutes
• Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers
• Pat (don't rub) skin dry with a soft towel
• Apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing to lock in moisture

Diet & Lifestyle (TCM Perspective)

• Reduce intake of spicy, oily, and deep-fried foods which are considered 'heating' in TCM
• Increase cooling foods: cucumber, winter melon, mung beans, lotus root
• Stay well hydrated — drink adequate water daily
• Reduce alcohol, which generates damp-heat internally
• Manage stress through exercise, meditation, or other relaxation techniques

Clothing & Environment

• Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing — avoid wool and synthetics
• Keep indoor humidity between 45–55% to prevent skin dryness
• Wash new clothes before wearing to remove manufacturing chemicals
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergents