Atopic dermititis, also known as eczema, is a chronic fluctuation disease of the skin that has itching as its cardinal sign. It is considered atopic because of its tendency to occur with other allergic type disorders including allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis. The rash has a definite familial tendency and is non-contagious. The distribution and look of eczema can vary from a dry red bumpy rash to a wet oozing eodematous rash that easily becomes infected. Itching is usually always present and interferes greatly with the person's quality of life, especially sleep. People who have atopic dermititis quite often have a lower self esteem and self image because of the social impact that this disease has on them. Their skin often looks dry, rough, and during acute flare ups, red and inflamed.

Eczema can occur at any age, although 75% of people will show signs before 6 months. Usually there is spontaneous improvement during childhood, with 50% of sufferers clearing by age 13, many will have a relapse during adolescence and up to 80% will have dry irritated skin for their whole lives. Worldwide, eczema affects 12-25% of children and 10-15% of all adults. In the past few decades these numbers even appear to be climbing. (read the research)

Western medicine declares there is no cure for eczema and is limited with treatment options, some of which can have devastating and life long side effects (read the FDA's warning about protopic and cancer). Much of the emphasis is placed on maintenance and prevention.

Chinese medicine has identified eczema as a disease for the past few thousand years. Through the correct diagnosis and proper use of both internally ingested and externally applied herbal formulations, eczema can be controlled quite well. Many modern research studies have shown Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment ofatopic dermititis to be very effective and long lasting. In fact many people find that if they stick with the herbal program long enough, their tendency to flare ups is either eliminated or greatly reduced and their skin returns to the smooth softness it is meant to be. Even years after they have stopped taking the herbs, people report that their skin has remained quite stable. Please read my blog titled "why skin?", where I share my wife's journey with eczema and it's final remission after taking Chinese herbs.