Q If I treat contact dermatitis with Korean medicine, in what specific order does it proceed?
A First we empty the heat-toxin to calm the itching and inflammation (heat-clearing detoxification), then stabilize the oversensitized immunity, and finally regenerate the damaged skin barrier to prevent recurrence — a three-stage process. Herbal medicine and acupuncture are used together at each stage.
Detailed Answer
Treatment proceeds in stages. We begin with a heat-clearing, detoxifying (cheongyeol-haedok) stage that discharges the body's heat-toxin and waste to quickly calm the red, angry inflammation, oozing, and itching. Next comes an immune-stabilizing stage that balances the five viscera and six bowels to soothe the immune system that had been overreacting to the same substance, and finally it concludes with a skin-regeneration stage that strengthens the damaged skin barrier and raises its moisture-retaining power so the skin can withstand external irritation on its own.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, in keeping with each stage, we combine heat-clearing detoxifying herbal medicine that removes damp-heat, detoxifying acupuncture and pharmacopuncture that directly discharge toxins from the skin, and steroid-free natural Korean medicine topical preparations. Not only avoiding the causative substance but also regulating the oversensitized internal immunity and constitution, we aim to build a body and skin in which contact dermatitis is less likely to arise.
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