Does cicada shell have any effect on skin diseases?

    The cicada slough, also known as蝉蜕 (cicada蜕), generally may help alleviate certain skin conditions caused by wind-heat or heat toxicity. However, it has limited effectiveness for skin diseases caused by allergies or fungal infections. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

    Cicada slough is cool in nature and can dispel wind-heat while relieving itching. If the skin disorder 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 mild, using cicada slough in combination with other treatments might help alleviate skin discomfort and reduce inflammatory responses, thus providing auxiliary therapeutic effects.

    However, for rashes caused by allergies, fungal infections such as tinea, or chronic skin conditions like eczema, cicada slough cannot address the underlying causes. These conditions have complex etiologies, and using cicada slough alone not only makes symptom improvement difficult but may also delay proper treatment, potentially worsening the condition.

    Before using cicada slough, it is important to determine the cause of the skin condition. It may be tried for mild symptoms caused by wind-heat or heat toxicity, but should be avoided for allergies, fungal infections, or similar situations. If symptoms do not improve after using cicada slough, prompt medical attention should be sought for professional diagnosis and treatment.