Clipping Board » Medical Harm ─ Unnecessary or inappropriate medical procedures can also cause harm.
Update Date: 2010/07/03 04:11
By Lin Zhengxian
Every summer, many patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis undergo the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy known as "San Fu Tie" (三伏贴), which is part of the "winter disease treated in summer" (冬病夏治) approach. While I am not very familiar with TCM, from a Western immunology perspective, this treatment may involve using small amounts of herbal medicine applied to the skin to induce a different immune response, thereby reducing the original allergic immune reaction.
This principle is also applied in dermatology for treating certain skin conditions, such as alopecia areata or viral warts.
However, past experiences have shown that a small number of patients undergoing San Fu Tie therapy develop more severe skin reactions, which they mistakenly believe indicate "the medicine is working effectively." These reactions fall into two categories: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
● **Irritant Contact Dermatitis**: This occurs primarily because the herbal formula applied to the skin causes irritation. Different TCM practitioners prescribe different formulas, some of which are more irritating. Additionally, the application is often covered with a medicinal patch, further increasing irritation and leading to reactions resembling burns, such as ulceration and a burning sensation.
● **Allergic Contact Dermatitis**: This is caused by an individual's allergic reaction to certain herbal formulas (as shown in Figure 1) or to the adhesive patch itself (as shown in Figure 2). Localized symptoms may include blisters (as shown in Figure 3), intense itching, or even systemic allergic reactions.
Therefore, I recommend that patients undergoing San Fu Tie therapy pay attention to the following points:
● Choose a licensed and qualified TCM practitioner for treatment—do not attempt "DIY" based on online tutorials!
● Those currently suffering from skin conditions, especially systemic ones, should avoid San Fu Tie therapy for the time being.
● Individuals who have had allergic reactions to other medicinal patches in the past should be particularly cautious about skin reactions.
● Before treatment, consider performing a skin test on the arm.
● Follow the recommended application time by the TCM practitioner—longer is not necessarily better, as it may lead to severe reactions. If strong discomfort occurs during the application, stop immediately and wash off the medication.
● When removing the patch, do so gently, as excessive force can damage the skin.
● After San Fu Tie treatment, most patients experience mild redness, itching, or a slight burning sensation in the treated area, which may last for a few days—this is normal.
● However, if severe itching, extensive blistering, or intense burning occurs after treatment, seek dermatological care as soon as possible.
● During the treatment period—including while the patch is applied, after removal but before the skin fully recovers, and before blisters completely dry—avoid sun exposure, hot springs, or swimming to prevent worsening redness, swelling, or infection.
(Author: Dr. Lin Zhengxian, Lin Zhengxian Dermatology Clinic, Kaohsiung City)
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100703/ 78/ 28ksc. html
Beware of Skin Inflammation from Sanfutie Allergy Treatment
By Lin Zhengxian
Every summer, many patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis undergo the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy known as "San Fu Tie" (三伏贴), which is part of the "winter disease treated in summer" (冬病夏治) approach. While I am not very familiar with TCM, from a Western immunology perspective, this treatment may involve using small amounts of herbal medicine applied to the skin to induce a different immune response, thereby reducing the original allergic immune reaction.
This principle is also applied in dermatology for treating certain skin conditions, such as alopecia areata or viral warts.
However, past experiences have shown that a small number of patients undergoing San Fu Tie therapy develop more severe skin reactions, which they mistakenly believe indicate "the medicine is working effectively." These reactions fall into two categories: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
● **Irritant Contact Dermatitis**: This occurs primarily because the herbal formula applied to the skin causes irritation. Different TCM practitioners prescribe different formulas, some of which are more irritating. Additionally, the application is often covered with a medicinal patch, further increasing irritation and leading to reactions resembling burns, such as ulceration and a burning sensation.
● **Allergic Contact Dermatitis**: This is caused by an individual's allergic reaction to certain herbal formulas (as shown in Figure 1) or to the adhesive patch itself (as shown in Figure 2). Localized symptoms may include blisters (as shown in Figure 3), intense itching, or even systemic allergic reactions.
Therefore, I recommend that patients undergoing San Fu Tie therapy pay attention to the following points:
● Choose a licensed and qualified TCM practitioner for treatment—do not attempt "DIY" based on online tutorials!
● Those currently suffering from skin conditions, especially systemic ones, should avoid San Fu Tie therapy for the time being.
● Individuals who have had allergic reactions to other medicinal patches in the past should be particularly cautious about skin reactions.
● Before treatment, consider performing a skin test on the arm.
● Follow the recommended application time by the TCM practitioner—longer is not necessarily better, as it may lead to severe reactions. If strong discomfort occurs during the application, stop immediately and wash off the medication.
● When removing the patch, do so gently, as excessive force can damage the skin.
● After San Fu Tie treatment, most patients experience mild redness, itching, or a slight burning sensation in the treated area, which may last for a few days—this is normal.
● However, if severe itching, extensive blistering, or intense burning occurs after treatment, seek dermatological care as soon as possible.
● During the treatment period—including while the patch is applied, after removal but before the skin fully recovers, and before blisters completely dry—avoid sun exposure, hot springs, or swimming to prevent worsening redness, swelling, or infection.
(Author: Dr. Lin Zhengxian, Lin Zhengxian Dermatology Clinic, Kaohsiung City)
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100703/ 78/ 28ksc. html