Presenting Signs and Symptoms
Itchy
red areas with increased skin scaling and peeling with bleeding spots
after scraping. The lesions were the typical elevated plaques, of
different sizes, irregular oval in shape, mostly located on the scalp,
ears and forehead, accompanied by generalized itching.
General signs and symptoms include fatigue, low energy, insomnia (disturbed sleep). Pulse deep, slow and choppy. Tongue is deep red body with a yellow and dry coating.
There are three different TCM patterns in Psoriasis, These and their symptoms include;
Wind in the skin with blood heat: Acute or initial stage. Severe itching and scaling, red papules with bleeding spots after scraping. Restlessness, irritability, dry mouth and throat, aversion to heat. Tongue is red with a thin yellow coating. Pulse is rapid.
Blood dryness: Dry lesions, less severe scaling. Tongue is normal, thin and has a dry coating. Pulse is weak and thready.
Blood stagnation: Enduring pigmented or dark red lesions. Thick scales, only mild itching. Tongue is purple or with stasis speckles. Pulse is weak.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Principles
Blood heat-toxin, blood dryness due to deficiency in the Yin and blood fluids. These all cause the skin to lack nourishment.
The aim is to resolve blood statis, clear heat and relieve toxicity, unblock the channels and moisten the dryness. Treatment will be a combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine blends.