TCM Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis, 白疕 (Bai Bi), also known as 牛皮癣 (Niu Pi Xian) or 银屑病 (Yin Xie Bing) in Chinese, is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that affects millions worldwide, and an estimated 40,000 Singaporeans. Individuals with this skin disorder will experience a sped-up skin production process, causing scaling on the skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales are also common.
These scales usually develop on the individual’s joints, such as the elbow or knee. However, they can also form anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, hands, and feet. Typical psoriatic scales develop in thick, red patches and are whitish-silver. But on darker skin tones, the scales may appear purplish, dark brown with grey scales. Occasionally, these patches may crack and bleed.
In the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), psoriasis is viewed as an internal imbalance characterised by heat and dampness, which disrupts the body’s natural harmony and causes the rapid proliferation of skin cells and the characteristic red, scaly plaques that are the hallmark of psoriasis.
How Common is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis affects a small but significant portion of the population. In Singapore, it is estimated that 1–2 % of the population live with psoriasis. The condition may begin at any age, though it frequently appears between ages 15 and 35. Psoriasis also tends to affect men and women in roughly equal numbers.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is not entirely understood. However, thanks to decades of research, healthcare professionals believe this skin condition arises from genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors.
1. Genetics
Some individuals may inherit genes that make them predisposed to developing psoriasis. If you have an immediate family member with this skin condition, you are more susceptible to psoriasis.
2. Immune system
Generally, white blood cells (T cells), which are part of the immune system, are designed to attack and eradicate invading bacteria, serving as a defence against infections. However, in the case of psoriasis, the white blood cells mistakenly attack your skin cells, causing the skin cell production process to go into overdrive.
The sped-up skin cell production causes new skin cells to develop too rapidly. As a result, they are pushed to the skin’s surface, where they pile up, resulting in the plaques commonly associated with psoriasis. This mistaken attack is also responsible for causing red, inflamed patches of skin to develop.
3. Environmental factors
External factors, such as diet, emotional stress, exposure to specific triggers, and lifestyle choices, can exacerbate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Climate in Singapore and its Effect on Skin Conditions
The tropical climate of Singapore, characterised by high humidity and temperatures, can have a different impact on skin conditions compared to drier climates. Humidity can make the skin more prone to sweating, which may lead to irritation and flare-ups in individuals with psoriasis. Additionally, the constant exposure to heat can cause the skin to become more sensitive, potentially increasing discomfort and aggravating psoriasis symptoms.
Diet and Stress in Singapore
Local dietary habits and urban stress levels in Singapore may act as triggers for psoriasis flare-ups. The typical Singaporean diet, which includes spicy foods, rich in saturated fats and sugar, can exacerbate inflammation in the body, potentially worsening psoriasis. Furthermore, the high-paced urban lifestyle and stress levels in Singapore can significantly impact skin health. Chronic stress is known to weaken the immune system, leading to inflammation and aggravating psoriasis symptoms.
Types of Psoriasis Commonly Found in Singapore
Blood Heat (血热证)
Skin lesions that are red in colour, often appearing in a dot-like pattern. Symptoms may include dry lips and throat, and constipation. This type is often associated with excessive heat in the blood, which causes inflammation and irritation of the skin.
Blood Dryness (血虚风燥证)
Skin lesions that are pale red in colour, often presenting in a patchy pattern. The skin is dry, and lesions may crack and bleed. This type is linked to insufficient blood and moisture, leading to dryness and cracking of the skin.
Blood Stasis (血瘀证)
Skin lesions that are dark red in colour and often thick in texture. Blood stasis can lead to poor circulation and stagnant energy, resulting in thicker, more stubborn lesions.
Dampness (湿毒蕴积证)
Skin lesions that are red in colour, often wet and found in areas of the body where there are folds, such as the armpits, elbows, and knees. Symptoms include sore and swollen joints, and a feeling of heaviness in the lower limbs. Dampness is associated with toxins accumulating in the body, leading to inflammation and fluid retention.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis?
The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:
- Raised, inflamed patches of skin that appear red on light skin and brown or purple on dark skin;
- whitish-silver scales or plaques on the red patches or grey scales on purple and brown patches;
- Dry skin that may crack and bleed;
- itching and burning sensations around the inflamed patches of skin;
- Painful, swollen joints;
- Soreness around the patches of skin;
- Thick, pitted nails.
Please note that not every person will experience all these symptoms. In fact, psoriasis symptoms can differ between individuals depending on the type of psoriasis they have. Some individuals may experience entirely different symptoms if they develop a less common type of psoriasis.
TCM Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore
In TCM philosophy, the skin is considered a reflection of the body’s internal health. The development of psoriasis signifies an underlying imbalance within the body. Based on TCM diagnosis, there are various patterns (blood stasis, damp heat, dryness in the blood and yin deficiency, heat in the blood, blood toxin, wind, etc.) responsible for psoriasis. As such, they require different combinations of herbal formulas to address the underlying issue.
TCM physicians will seek to identify the pattern (blood-heat, wind-heat, damp-heat, heat-toxins, etc.) and prescribe a custom remedy or topical medication to target individual imbalances. The aim is to address the root cause, thus restoring the body’s harmony and ensuring long-lasting relief.
Herbal Treatment for Psoriasis
Tangs Clinical offers personalised herbal remedies designed to target the root causes of psoriasis based on TCM principles. Some commonly used herbs for psoriasis treatment include:
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) – Known for nourishing the blood and invigorating circulation, Dang Gui helps treat blood stasis and promotes healing of skin lesions.
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong) – This herb is used to move blood and dispel wind, which is beneficial for psoriasis caused by blood stagnation and wind heat.
Ku Shen (Sophora Flavescens) – Often used for clearing dampness and heat from the body, Ku Shen is particularly effective for skin conditions like psoriasis that involve damp-heat accumulation.
He Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum) – This herb is commonly used to treat yin deficiency and blood dryness, which can contribute to dry, cracked skin in psoriasis sufferers.
These herbs are typically combined in custom formulas tailored to the individual’s condition to restore internal balance and alleviate psoriasis symptoms.
Topical Medication
Tangs Clinical also provides topical medications specifically designed to address the external manifestations of psoriasis. These are formulated to reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and promote skin healing. Some common topical treatments include:
Tangs Psoria – A specially formulated topical ointment designed to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis. It helps reduce redness, itching, and flaking by cooling the skin and promoting healing.
Tangs Topical – A range of topical creams and balms formulated with herbal ingredients to soothe skin and reduce inflammation caused by psoriasis flare-ups. These preparations are gentle yet effective in addressing dry and irritated skin while restoring moisture balance.
These topical medications are often used in combination with herbal remedies to provide comprehensive treatment for psoriasis.
