Other Skin Conditions

Q I have had dyshidrosis for 20 years — can it still improve with Korean medicine at my age?

A. Even with a long history of dyshidrosis, identifying the underlying causes and starting a constitution-appropriate treatment can still bring symptom improvement. For long-term dyshidrosis, a realistic goal is reducing the frequency and severity of flare-ups rather than a complete cure. Combining lifestyle management with herbal medicine significantly improves quality of life. Transitioning to relapse-prevention maintenance prescriptions after an initial intensive course is the most efficient approach.

Q I have hyperhidrosis and also anxiety / panic disorder. Can they be treated together?

A. Hyperhidrosis and anxiety disorders share a common mechanism — sympathetic nervous system overactivation — and each worsens the other. Korean medicine can address both simultaneously through prescriptions that calm the Heart-Spirit (心神), making it more efficient than treating each condition separately. When necessary, combining cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with Korean medicine treatment doubles the effectiveness.

Q My melasma appeared together with irregular periods. Are they connected?

A. Melasma and menstrual irregularity often share common causes: fluctuations in female hormones (oestrogen), reduced liver function, and imbalance of qi and blood. In Korean medicine, the Liver stores Blood (血) and governs the smooth flow of qi (疏泄), so Liver-qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結) is understood to simultaneously cause menstrual irregularity and facial melasma. Treating both conditions together yields better outcomes and longer-lasting results than treating each one alone.

Q What daily management is needed to prevent dyshidrotic eczema from recurring?

A. To prevent dyshidrotic eczema recurrence, apply moisturizer immediately after washing hands, and wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning to minimize detergent irritation. Avoid contact with metals such as nickel and chromium, and stress management and sufficient sleep are key to preventing recurrence. Do not burst blisters yourself, as scratching can worsen the condition through secondary bacterial infection.

Q Are there daily habits that can help manage melasma and age spots?

A. The first priority in melasma management is UV protection — apply products with SPF50+ PA+++ or higher 30 minutes before going out and reapply every 2–3 hours. Since skin regeneration is active during sleep, a regular bedtime and sufficient sleep are important for pigmentation recovery. Intake of foods containing vitamin C, folate, and glutathione also helps inhibit melanin synthesis.

Q I have keloids — can scratching or pressing them make them worse? What precautions should I take?

A. Keloids can grow larger in response to physical stimulation (scratching, pressing, friction), so the affected area should be irritated as little as possible. For areas prone to sweating and friction (chest, shoulders, back), wear loose, breathable clothing to minimize irritation, and UV protection is also important as UV rays worsen pigmentation and inflammation. Never incise or squeeze keloids yourself, as this greatly increases the risk of infection and worsening.

Q I have been using steroid ointment for dyshidrotic eczema for a long time. Can I use it together with herbal medicine?

A. Topical steroid ointment is effective for controlling itching and inflammation during acute dyshidrotic eczema, but long-term use carries risks of skin atrophy, cracking, and fungal infection. Oral herbal medicine and topical steroids work through different pathways and can generally be used together, but the attending Korean medicine doctor must be informed of all medications currently being taken before starting. The goal of Korean medicine treatment is to gradually reduce steroid use.

Q I have had prurigo nodularis for a long time. Is a complete cure possible?

A. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic neurodermatitis characterized by hard nodules with intense itching appearing repeatedly throughout the body, and it can take months to years to achieve complete remission. Since the act of scratching itself worsens the nodules in a vicious cycle, blocking the itch sensation is the key to treatment. Korean medicine treatment addresses blood deficiency and wind-dryness (血虛風燥) to fundamentally reduce itching.

Q My skin elasticity has dropped sharply since my 40s. Can Korean medicine help?

A. Skin aging is a physiological process in which collagen and elastin decrease, dermal moisture decreases, and sebum secretion decreases in a complex progression — complete reversal is difficult, but slowing the rate of progression is possible. Korean medicine aims to delay aging by replenishing kidney essence (腎精) and strengthening the lung's (肺) function of governing the skin. Taking tonifying qi and blood (補氣補血) formulas suited to one's constitution consistently can be expected to improve skin elasticity and radiance.

Q Why does dyshidrosis, characterized by small blisters on the hands and feet, occur?

A. Dyshidrosis is a condition in which multiple, transparent vesicles suddenly appear around the sweat glands on the palms and soles. Major triggers include stress, excessive sweating, and contact with metals (nickel). In Korean traditional medicine, it is believed that blisters develop when "heart fire" becomes stagnant, causing "damp heat" to accumulate in the hands and feet. Since it frequently recurs and tends to become chronic, systematic management from the early stages is crucial.

Q I sweat excessively on my hands, feet, and armpits. Why does hyperhidrosis occur?

A. Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which sweat is secreted far beyond what is needed for body temperature regulation, most commonly presenting as primary hyperhidrosis concentrated in localized areas such as the hands, feet, armpits, and face. The key mechanism is that the sympathetic nervous system is overactivated, continuously stimulating eccrine sweat glands. In Korean medicine, it is seen as a qi-blood imbalance caused by spleen deficiency (脾虛) or disharmony between the heart and kidney (心腎不交).

Q Are there foods or habits that worsen hyperhidrosis?

A. Spicy foods, hot beverages, caffeine, and alcohol directly stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and promote sweating, so hyperhidrosis patients need to be careful. Stress and sleep deprivation also disrupt autonomic nervous system balance and increase sweat secretion. In Korean medicine, patients are advised to avoid spicy and greasy foods that promote stomach heat (胃熱) and eating forcefully after drinking.

Q I have melasma — do foods affect it besides UV rays?

A. UV rays are the biggest aggravating factor for melasma, but photosensitizing medications such as oral contraceptives, female hormones, antibiotics, and diuretics also intensify pigmentation. Processed food additives and oxidative stress can also promote melanin production, so intake of antioxidant foods is recommended. In Korean medicine, green and yellow vegetables that support the liver (肝) and foods that nourish blood (血) are considered favorable for melasma improvement.

Q How often should I visit for Korean medicine treatment of hyperhidrosis, and how long does treatment take?

A. Korean medicine treatment for hyperhidrosis initially involves weekly acupuncture 1–2 times per week combined with herbal medicine for 2–4 weeks, then extends to once every 2 weeks as symptoms stabilize. Herbal medicine is usually prescribed in 1–2 month units, with a target period of 3–6 months for fundamental constitutional improvement treatment. The duration can vary depending on individual constitution, cause of sweating, and living environment.

Q What is the order of treatment for prurigo nodularis?

A. Prurigo nodularis treatment proceeds in 3 stages: ① urgent itch relief → ② nodule softening → ③ recurrence suppression. Initially, acupuncture and topical herbal medicines reduce the urge to scratch; in the middle phase, herbal medicine tonifying blood deficiency creates a skin regeneration environment; and in the maintenance phase, constitutional strengthening formulas prevent recurrence. If there are accompanying causative diseases (kidney or liver dysfunction, etc.), treating them simultaneously is necessary for high effectiveness.

Q In what order is the Korean traditional medicine treatment for skin aging improvement received?

A. Korean traditional medicine treatment for skin aging proceeds in the following order: ① Assessment of constitution and organ function → ② Acupuncture and moxibustion to improve Qi and blood circulation → ③ Taking herbal medicine to replenish Qi and blood → ④ Lifestyle correction. During the initial consultation, the goal is to assess the functional status of the kidneys, lungs, and spleen and to supply sufficient Qi and blood necessary for collagen synthesis through a personalized prescription. After three months of medication, skin elasticity, radiance, and moisture levels are re-evaluated to adjust the prescription.

Q Is Korean medicine treatment effective for keloid scars? How is it different from laser treatment?

A. Keloid is a hypertrophic scar where fibroblasts proliferate excessively during the wound healing process, extending beyond the boundaries of normal skin, and due to high recurrence rates, a combined approach is recommended rather than monotherapy. Korean medicine aims for softening and flattening of scar tissue through removal of blood stasis (瘀血) and improvement of qi-blood circulation. Laser works by physically removing surface tissue, while Korean medicine external treatment takes a different direction of inducing tissue regeneration through internal qi-blood circulation, making them complementary when used together.

Q Is Korean herbal medicine treatment actually effective for melasma and hyperpigmentation?

A. Melasma is a pigmented skin condition in which melanin pigment is excessively deposited locally, with UV rays, hormonal changes, and stress as the main triggers. Korean medicine treatment approaches it by resolving liver qi stagnation (肝氣鬱結) to facilitate qi-blood circulation and inhibit melanin production, with visible improvement reported with consistent medication over several months. The effect is even better when combined with topical whitening treatment or laser.