Can Cicada Slough Treat Pharyngitis in Children?

Aug 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Cicada slough generally refers to the exuviae of cicadas. In general, cicada slough can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of pharyngitis in children to some extent. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a qualified hospital. When using cicada slough as an adjunct therapy, it must be administered only after a professional TCM physician has conducted a differential diagnosis and determined the appropriate usage and dosage according to the specific condition of the child. Parents should not purchase or use it on their own.

Cicada slough generally refers to the exuviae of cicadas. Under normal circumstances, cicada slough may assist in treating children's pharyngitis to a certain extent. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely treatment at a regular hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Cicada slough has a sweet and salty taste and is cool in nature, acting on the lung and liver meridians. It has the effects of dispersing wind-heat and benefiting the throat while improving voice. When children develop pharyngitis due to wind-heat invading the lungs and affecting the throat, symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain in the throat, and hoarseness may occur. Proper use of cicada slough can help eliminate wind-heat pathogens from the throat area, reduce mucosal congestion and swelling, and alleviate discomfort symptoms. It is often combined with other heat-clearing and throat-soothing Chinese herbs such as honeysuckle and forsythia to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.

When using cicada slough as an adjunctive treatment, it must be administered only after proper diagnosis by a qualified TCM practitioner, who will determine the appropriate usage and dosage based on the child's specific condition. Parents should not purchase or use it on their own. The cicada slough should be obtained from legitimate sources and properly processed, avoiding products of poor quality or未经 processing. If a child's pharyngitis is accompanied by severe symptoms such as high fever or difficulty breathing, cicada slough alone should not be relied upon; prompt medical treatment at a hospital is necessary. During treatment, children should maintain a bland diet, rest adequately, and minimize voice use to promote throat recovery.

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Does cicada shell have any effect on skin diseases?

Cicada slough is cool in nature and can疏散 wind-heat and relieve itching by dispelling wind. If a skin condition is caused by external wind-heat invasion or internal accumulation of heat toxicity, such as skin itching, red rashes, or hives, and the symptoms are relatively mild, combining it with other treatments may help alleviate skin discomfort. However, for rashes caused by allergies, fungal infections such as tinea, or chronic skin conditions like eczema, cicada slough cannot address the underlying causes.

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Is the cicada shell effective for treating tonsillitis?

Cicada slough, scientifically known as Periostracum Cicadae, has properties of dispersing wind-heat and relieving sore throat with reduced swelling. If tonsillitis is caused by wind-heat invasion, presenting symptoms such as a burning sensation in the throat, mild redness and swelling without obvious pus formation, appropriate use of Periostracum Cicadae (e.g., prepared as a decoction for drinking) may help alleviate local inflammation and relieve discomfort, thereby serving as an adjunctive treatment.

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Is the cicada shell effective for sore throat?

Cicada slough, also known as蝉蜕 (Periostracum Cicadae), may help relieve sore throat caused by wind-heat, but has limited effectiveness for sore throat due to wind-cold or severe infection. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Periostracum Cicadae has a sweet taste and cool nature, and functions to疏散风热 (disperse wind-heat), benefit the throat, and reduce swelling. If sore throat is caused by wind-heat invasion or heat accumulation in the throat with symptoms of dryness, heat, and swelling, taking a decoction of Periostracum Cicadae may help alleviate local inflammation.

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Can cicada shells enhance immunity?

Cicada slough generally refers to the exuviae of cicadas. Under normal circumstances, cicada slough can enhance immunity to a certain extent. When using cicada slough as an adjunct to boost immunity, it should be done under the guidance of a qualified traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, who will determine the appropriate dosage and method of administration based on individual constitution and specific condition. It should not be used blindly. Properly processed cicada slough should be selected, and inferior or untreated products should be avoided.