How many doses of Chinese herbal medicine are generally needed to cure eczema?

In general, the number of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions needed to treat eczema depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases, 1–2 prescriptions may be sufficient to relieve symptoms, while more severe cases may require five or more prescriptions. The details are as follows:

1. One to two prescriptions

Eczema is a superficial, itchy inflammatory skin condition that initially presents with redness and swelling, followed by the development of papules, blisters, oozing, crusting, and skin flaking. If symptoms are mild—such as erythema, vesicles, erosion, or millet-sized papules—taking one to two TCM prescriptions may be enough to achieve symptom relief.

2. Five or more prescriptions

In TCM treatment of eczema, the focus lies on clearing heat and dampness, dispelling wind, detoxifying, and regulating spleen and stomach functions. Commonly used herbs include Coptis (Huanglian), Scutellaria (Huangqin), adzuki beans (Chixiaodou), and Atractylodes (Baizhu), which help clear heat and eliminate dampness. In more severe cases involving extremely dry skin, extensive crusting, fever, or swollen lymph nodes, treatment duration may need to be extended, requiring five or even more prescriptions to fully resolve the condition.

In summary, individuals experiencing eczema should seek medical attention promptly. A qualified practitioner can assess the condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan, and patients should strictly follow medical advice when taking medication.