Dry Flaky Scaly Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it functions as a protective barrier that keeps undesirable substances from entering. Because the skin is the physical barrier that separates the exterior from the interior, skin health can be affected by factors from both the outside and the inside. External factors that affect the skin include infection (bacteria, virus, and parasites), external exposure to allergens (poison ivy, poison oak, chemicals used in cosmetics or cleaning agents, and drugs used in skin creams), insect bites (spiders and ticks), or trauma. Internal factors that affect the skin include inhalation of allergens (dust, pollen, and dander), ingestion of allergens (peanuts, nuts, fish, wheat, eggs, and milk), intake of certain drugs (penicillin, sulfa drugs, aspirin, and opioids), autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and psoriasis), and emotional or physical imbalance (stress and anxiety). Although there are multiple and complicated causes of skin disorders, the clinical manifestations are relatively simple and straight forward: most skin disorders have either wet or dry characteristics. Optimal treatment requires the use of medicinal substances to treat both the cause and the symptoms.
Skin disorders with dry characteristics often appear to be dry, red, flaky, and scaly with underlying damages to and atrophy of the skin. Examples of skin disorders with dry characteristics include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, rosacea, warts, tinea versicolor, erysipelas, and eczema.
Fu Ling – Drains dampness, strengthens the Spleen, and helps the body metabolize water. also has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities to reduce skin swelling and water retention.
Bo He – expels wind and relieves itching, has an antihistamine effect to treat allergy, and an antipruritic effect to relieve itching.
Huang Qin – Clears heat and eliminates toxins. Has an antibiotic function to treat skin infection, and anti-inflammatory function to reduce skin swelling and inflammation.
Bai Shao – Tonifies yin and nourishes blood to prevent heat from flaring up and aggravating the symptoms. strengthens the underlying body constitution, regulates and balances the endocrine system.
