Consideration of Kampo treatment in atopic dermatitis

• Published in: Kampo Medicine Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 615 - 623
• Main Authors: SHIOTANI, Yuji, TERASAWA, Katsutoshi, ITOH, Takashi, SHIMADA, Yutaka, KITA, Toshiaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine 1998
• Subjects: atopic dermatitis; dry skin; Kagen-ichiinsen-ka-kiban-kyo; moisture in the corneal layer
• ISSN: 0287-4857; 1882-756X
• DOI: 10.3937/kampomed.48.615

In Oriental medicine, atopic dermatitis is referred to as Fu-shitsu-netsu (wind-wetness heat), Ketsu-netsu (blood heat), Ketsu-kyo (blood deficiency) and Oketsu (blood stagnation). Though formulations such as Unsei-in (Wen-qing-yin), Ji-zuso-ippo (Zhi-tou-chuang-yi-fang), Shofu-san (Xiao-feng-san), Jumihaidoku-to (Shi-wei-bai-du-tang), Eppi-ka-jutsu-to (Yue-bi-jia-shu-tang), Byakko-ka-ninjin-to (Bai-hu jia-ren-shen-tang), and ku-Oketsu-zai (drugs for overcoming blood stagnation) are widely used, actually the treatment of adult atopic dermatitis is not an easy matter. The failure to improve dry skin in conventional treatments of atopic dermatitis has been the subject of many clinical trials. In this study when changing to a modified formulation of Kagen-ichiinsen-ka-kiban-kyo in five cases of dry erythema, which we had been having difficulties in treating, a therapeutic effect was achieved. As Kagenichiinsen-ka-kiban-kyo has the effects of moisturizing dryness by nourishing blood, nourishing Yin to promote the production of body fluid, and clearing away heat-evil by nourishing Yin, dry skin was improved as well as skin inflammation, and it was relatively easy to withdraw external steroids. Because of dry skin, the barrier function of the epidermis of patients with atopic dermatitis is hindered, and it becomes sensitive to mechanical stimulation from such things as sweat, clothing, and abrasion, or to allergens in the environment like mites. Therefore, as well as anti-inflammation, dry skin must be improved in treatment of atopic dermatitis. The cause of dry skin is loss of moisture in the corneal layer of epidermis, and this is an important point which must be considered in treatment.