ALLERGIC DERMATITIS

Clinical Manifestations
  • Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a form of contact dermatitis that is the manifestation of an allergic response caused by contact with a substance; the other type being irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).

    Although less common than ICD, ACD is accepted to be the most prevalent form of immunotoxicity found in humans. By its allergic nature, this form of contact dermatitis is a hypersensitive reaction that is atypical within the population. The mechanisms by which these reactions occur are complex, with many levels of fine control. Their immunology centers on the interaction of immunoregulatory cytokines and discrete subpopulations of T lymphocytes.

    The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis are very similar to the ones caused by irritant contact dermatitis, which makes the first even harder to diagnose. The first sign of allergic contact dermatitis is the presence of the rash or skin lesion at the site of exposure. Depending on the type of allergen causing it, the rash can ooze, drain or crust and it can become raw, scaled or thickened. Also, it is possible that the skin lesion does not take the form of a rash but it may include papules, blisters, vesicles or even a simple red area. The main difference between the rash caused by allergic contact dermatitis and the one caused by irritant contact dermatitis is that the first one tends to be confined to the area where the trigger touched the skin, whereas in the second case, the rash is more likely to be more widespread on the skin. Another characteristic of the allergic contact dermatitis rash is that it usually appears after a day or two after exposure to the allergen, unlike irritant contact dermatitis that appears immediately after the contact with the trigger.

    Other symptoms may include itching, skin redness or inflammation, localized swelling and the area may become more tender or warmer. If left untreated, the skin may darken and become leathery and cracked. Pain can also be present.

    The symptoms of allergic contact may persist for as long as one month before resolving completely. Once an individual has developed a skin reaction to a certain substance it is most likely that they will have it for the rest of their life, and the symptoms will reappear when in contact with the allergen.

Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • High fever
  • Profuse perspiration
  • Great thirst with a desire to drink
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dryness
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Feverish body parts
  • Red face
  • Dry stools
  • No constipation
  • No aversion to Cold
  • T: Red, dry
  • C: Dry yellow
  • P: Rolling and rapid (gigantic)
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Reduce fever
  • Moisten and replenish fluids
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lesions on the head, face, neck, gluteal area
  • Secretion of pus
  • Scabs
  • Itching
  • Desquamation
  • Inflammation
  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Suppuration
  • Constipation
  • Muscle spasms
  • Cough with thick, sticky, yellow sputum
  • Sore, red, swollen throat
  • Thirst with a desire to drink cold liquids
  • Runny or blocked nose with thick, yellow discharge
  • Fever with perspiration
  • Slight chills
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Headache
  • Maybe dyspnea with flared nostrils
  • Maybe chest pain
  • T: Red tip
  • C: Thin and yellow
  • P: Superficial and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Expel Wind
  • Clear Heat
  • Ventilate the Lungs
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • High fever
  • Confusion of mind
  • Delirium
  • Mania
  • Dark yellow urine
  • Excessive skin rashes all over body
  • Hemorrhage:
    Hematemesis
    Hemoptysis
    Epistaxis
    Hemafecia
    Hematuria
  • T: Deep red, dry or Purple red
    C: None
    P: Rapid or Thready and rapid or Thready and feeble
Treatment Principle
  • Cool the Blood
  • Dispel Heat and Toxins from the Xue Stage
  • Promote Blood Circulation
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chills and fever
  • Aches in the limbs
  • Dysentery
  • Anorexia (inability to eat)
  • Itching
  • Headache
  • Vomiting upon eating or drinking
  • Cough
  • T: Normal
  • C: Whitish and slimy
  • P: Soft and floating
Treatment Principle
  • Release the Exterior
  • Tonify Qi
  • Eliminate toxins
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Dermatitis
  • High fever
  • Irritability
  • Fidgeting
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry throat
  • Incoherent speech
  • Insomnia
  • Dark urine
  • Deep-rooted boils
  • Maculae
  • Carbuncles
  • Hematemesis
  • Hemoptysis
  • Palpitations
  • Furuncles
  • Tinnitus
  • Purpura
  • Red face
  • Rashes
  • Deep-rooted boils
  • Red eyes
  • Itchy skin
  • Fidgeting
  • Dry lips
  • Delirium
  • Dysentery with fever
  • Jaundice
  • Epistaxis
  • Hematuria
  • Cloudy mind
  • Diarrhea
  • T: Red
  • C: Yellow
  • P: Rapid and forceful
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Drain Fire
  • Relieve toxicity from all three Jiaos
  • Relieve inflammation
  • Stop bleeding
  • Purge Damp-Heat
  • Purge the Gallbladder
Herb Formulas
Points