Other Skin Conditions

Han's blister eczema is a condition in which transparent vesicles suddenly appear in a concentrated manner on the skin of the palms and the sides of the soles. While the exact cause has not yet been fully identified, factors such as stress, excessive sweating, metal allergies (including nickel), and an atopic constitution act in combination. When small blisters burst, they are accompanied by oozing and severe itching; after drying, the condition progresses to the point where the skin peels. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, it is understood that when Heart Fire (Simhwa) fails to descend and becomes stagnant, damp-heat concentrates in the extremities—the hands and feet—forming blisters. Individuals with a constitution characterized by abundant Qi and a dry feeling tend to have small, firm blisters with intense itching, while those with a constitution characterized by excessive damp-heat tend to have large blisters that produce a lot of oozing. Treatment is directed to reduce Heart Fire and expel damp-heat by combining herbal medicine to soothe skin heat and inflammation with acupuncture on the inner wrist.