April in New York is a love-hate affair. The spring breeze brings blooming flowers, lush green trees, and a city bursting with life. But just as nature awakens, the doors of Chinese medicine clinics start getting knocked on more frequently—spring eczema is back.

As temperatures rise and humidity increases, dust mites and mold spores thrive, and their waste products are notorious triggers for allergies. For those with sensitive skin, even the slightest irritation can lead to redness, swelling, and relentless itching. On top of that, with flowers blooming and pollen filling the air, a single breath or a light touch can set off an eczema flare-up.

Every year, many people fall victim to this seasonal trouble—red patches on the face, itchy rashes on the hands, scratching until the skin breaks. Only after turning to Chinese medicine for treatment do they finally find relief. So, if you're dealing with this in New York, don’t tough it out alone—let’s talk about how to tackle it.

Types of Eczema

Eczema comes in different forms, and each has its own characteristics:

1. Acute Eczema:
   It flares up quickly, with red patches, small bumps, and tiny blisters that ooze fluid, making the skin feel damp and irritated. The itching can be so intense that you might feel like scratching with a brush. New outbreaks or sudden spring flare-ups often fall into this category.
   
   
   

2. Subacute Eczema:
   This happens when the condition drags on without proper treatment or keeps coming back. The skin becomes dark red with some flaking, and while it still itches, it’s not as unbearable as the acute stage.
   
   
   

3. Chronic Eczema:
   When eczema persists for a long time, the skin thickens and becomes rough, almost like tree bark. The color darkens, and scratching can easily lead to infection. The itch seems endless.
   
   
   

How NYC Chinese Medicine Treats Spring Eczema

Dealing with spring eczema isn’t just about applying creams—you need a holistic approach, inside and out.

1. Avoid External Irritants and Allergens
   Spring is full of pollen and dust mites, so choose loose, breathable cotton clothing and avoid wool or synthetic fabrics that can trigger irritation. Wash new clothes before wearing them to remove any lingering chemicals. If it’s a windy day and you’re heading to a park, consider wearing a mask or applying sunscreen to create a protective barrier.

2. Proper Cleansing and Moisturizing

Be mindful when bathing. Avoid hot water—lukewarm is best—and keep showers short, around five to six minutes. Choose mild, fragrance-free body washes, and for children, plain water is often enough. Soap can be too harsh and irritating. After bathing, don’t rub your skin dry; instead, gently pat it with a soft cotton towel. Apply a moisturizer immediately to lock in moisture and prevent dryness and cracking.

3. Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments

In traditional Chinese medicine, "damp-heat" is often blamed for eczema flare-ups, so eating light is key. Avoid spicy foods, seafood, and alcohol, as they can upset digestion and worsen symptoms. Instead, try foods that help clear heat and dampness, like barley porridge, mung bean soup, and winter melon soup. Keep your home well-ventilated, wash your sheets and pillowcases frequently, and use hot water (around 60°C) to kill dust mites and allergens.

4. Maintain Emotional Stability

In spring, liver energy (Qi) is strong, and when emotions are blocked, it can lead to internal heat, making eczema flare-ups worse. Taking walks, practicing Tai Chi, or simply taking deep breaths can help release pent-up stress, allowing the skin to breathe and recover.

5. Seek Medical Attention in Time

If eczema becomes severe, with intense redness and oozing, don’t try to tough it out—seek medical help. Western medicine often prescribes steroid creams and antihistamines to quickly reduce inflammation, while Chinese medicine focuses on internal balance by using herbal decoctions to clear heat and dampness or herbal baths to relieve itching and swelling. Combining both approaches can speed up recovery.

How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) View Eczema?

TCM has recognized eczema for centuries, though it was historically referred to as "Jinyin sores" or "damp-toxin sores." According to TCM, the main culprit behind eczema is dampness, which becomes particularly problematic in spring when heat and humidity rise. If the spleen is weak and unable to properly process fluids, excess moisture accumulates in the skin, leading to eczema. As stated in the classic medical text Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon):
"All swelling and dampness conditions are related to the spleen."

In spring, liver energy is active, and if the spleen is weak, it struggles to expel dampness. When combined with external allergens like pollen and humidity, eczema flares up. Consuming greasy, cold foods or dealing with constant stress can further aggravate the condition by increasing liver fire and damp-heat, making symptoms worse.

TCM classifies eczema based on different imbalances:

• Excess dampness: Skin oozes fluid, and the person feels thirsty but doesn’t want to drink water. Treatment focuses on clearing heat and removing dampness.
  
  
  

• Excess heat: Skin appears red, feels hot, and itching is unbearable. Treatment involves cooling the body and reducing internal fire.
  
  
  

• Spleen deficiency: Eczema is chronic and recurring, accompanied by fatigue and poor appetite. Treatment focuses on strengthening the spleen.
  
  

Nikki Zhang, a well-known TCM practitioner in New York, often says that skin diseases are not just skin-deep; they are connected to the lungs, liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The reason eczema is hard to cure is that internal imbalances are not properly addressed. Modern medicine is beginning to acknowledge this perspective—eczema treatment requires more than just topical creams; it needs a holistic approach.

Nikki Zhang, LAc recommends avoiding damp-heat-inducing foods in spring, keeping indoor environments dry, and maintaining emotional stability to prevent eczema flare-ups. If eczema is making you miserable, visit Healthkey Group - Wellington clinics for a consultation.