Are Hong Kong people destined to be susceptible to eczema? Chinese medicine teaches you what to do if you want to steal food but want to dock your tail

Are Hong Kong people particularly prone to eczema? It turns out it's not a myth! According to data from the Hong Kong Allergy Association, one in five Hong Kong people suffers from eczema at some point. In this episode of "When to Talk About Health," two registered Chinese medicine practitioners—Dr. Chan Yee-ki and Dr. Wong Ching-ching—share common questions they encounter from eczema patients and discuss how to wisely avoid certain foods when dealing with eczema.

How does one get eczema?

Eczema is a common problem for people with allergic constitutions. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is a disease caused by the invasion of external pathogens. Wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire are the six kinds of clear qi (collectively known as the six qi) in TCM. An excess of any one of these clear qi can cause damage to the body. Dr. Chan Yee-ki said, "Among them, dampness is the most persistent and the most difficult to cure." TCM divides dampness into internal dampness and external dampness: internal dampness refers to the six pathogenic factors, while external dampness refers to dietary indiscretion. Hong Kong's humid climate makes it easy for people to develop eczema when they lack rest and their ability to expel dampness decreases, leading to a condition of excessive dampness.

She gave an example: not only can dampness cause eczema, but other common allergy symptoms, such as asthma and nasal allergies, are also manifestations of dampness invading the body, and they are equally difficult to cure.

Treatment for eczema does not cure it.

Eczema is like a bomb inside the body that can explode at any moment, which is precisely what troubles eczema patients the most. "No medical field can claim that eczema can be cured," Dr. Chen Qiqi explained. "Eczema is closely related to personal emotions, diet, and environment. If any one of these factors is not ideal, it is enough to relapse." Therefore, whether it is traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine, the main focus of eczema treatment is to control the condition; when the condition can be controlled and relieved, patients can coexist with the disease.

Eczema symptoms and types

Although there are many eczema patients in Hong Kong, most people have only a superficial understanding of eczema. The most common question is: what kind of skin problem is defined as eczema? Dr. Chan Yee-ki points out, "All eczema is based on dampness; otherwise, it wouldn't be eczema." Dr. Wong Ching-ching points out that all skin problems of unknown cause can be collectively called "eczema," including itchy skin, weeping, peeling, etc., which are all common eczema symptoms. Some eczema patients have had eczema since childhood, even shortly after birth. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is related to the mother's diet during pregnancy. Dr. Huang Jingjing explained, "These patients may have been affected by their mothers' diet while in the womb. If they had consumed some hot and damp foods, the mother and baby would have difficulty metabolizing them, leading to eczema symptoms shortly after birth."

Besides congenital factors, some eczema patients develop eczema due to acquired factors, such as frequent alcohol consumption and high stress levels, which can suddenly cause itching, leading to scratching and subsequent rashes. Another common symptom in eczema patients is dry, pinkish skin that peels easily; or the rash may be concentrated in inconspicuous areas such as joints, elbows, and armpits, with pus and crusting.

Doctors point out that eczema patients can have two types of eczema simultaneously. Whether it's congenital or acquired, eczema is highly susceptible to external factors. Dr. Chen Qiqi reminds us, "Some people experience more recurring and uncontrollable symptoms, which is due to the stress and uncontrolled diet mentioned earlier, leading to acute eczema." She continues, "All eczema patients can gradually recover through medication, but if they continue to have an uncontrolled diet, it will still recur."

Does eczema itch more when the weather is humid?

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that dampness can lead to a variety of illnesses. When dampness is excessive, problems such as eczema, lower limb edema, and sticky stools can occur. Therefore, the health of the spleen and stomach system, which is essentially the body's dampness-eliminating mechanism, is crucial. The spleen and stomach system in TCM includes the kidneys and large intestine, all of which have the function of eliminating dampness. If the digestive system is weak, dampness can easily remain in the body, forming pathogenic factors. Although external dampness caused by climate is difficult to control, internal dampness can definitely be addressed through dietary adjustments, improving the itching and rash symptoms of eczema patients.

Eczema patients are advised to avoid three types of food.

The most effective way to help eczema patients control their condition is through diet. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend that eczema patients avoid three types of food to prevent worsening their condition.

Category 1: Raw and cold foods

Foods that damage the spleen and stomach's yang energy can easily cause indigestion and accumulate dampness. Examples include: sushi, sashimi, green tea, white tea, and salads.

Category 2: Sweets

Foods that easily generate dampness and phlegm, exacerbating inflammation, include: sweet fruits such as cakes, ice cream, peaches, grapes, and blueberries.

Category 3: Sticky rice cakes

Difficult to digest, exacerbating eczema, such as dairy products, glutinous rice, and cheese.

Dr. Chen Chi-Chi and Dr. Huang Ching-Ching