Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a chronic, relapsing skin condition marked by itching, redness, scaling, and barrier dysfunction. In East Tennessee (including Kingsport and Johnson City), patients often tell us that flare-ups worsen with stress, seasonal changes, or certain foods. At Kingsport Acupuncture, Dr. Brian uses a 3-step approach to help manage eczema:

1. IgG food sensitivity testing
2. Acupuncture
3. Chinese herbal medicine

Below, we explore how each step plays a role, what the evidence currently supports, and which classic herbal formulas are often used.

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1) IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

Because eczema is often worsened by internal triggers such as dietary allergens or food intolerance, our first step is to assess whether hidden food sensitivities are contributing to skin inflammation.

• We collect a blood sample for an IgG panel (commonly 90–180 foods) to detect delayed food reactions.
• The results help us prioritize which foods the patient might temporarily eliminate (e.g. dairy, eggs, nuts) to reduce internal inflammatory stress.
• This doesn’t replace standard allergy testing (IgE) or dermatologic evaluation, but it gives us targeted diet guidance to reduce flare triggers.

By removing or reducing reactive foods for several weeks, many patients report fewer flares, less itching, and calmer skin—making the rest of the treatment more effective.

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2) Acupuncture for Eczema

Once dietary triggers are managed, acupuncture helps modulate the immune system, reduce itch, calm systemic inflammation, and restore balance in the body systems that govern skin health.

What the Research Says

• A meta-analysis of RCTs found that acupuncture significantly improved global symptoms of eczema (vs conventional medicine) though the evidence strength was rated low due to small sample sizes.  
• A 4-week trial with twice-weekly acupuncture in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis showed significant reductions in SCORAD scores (a standard eczema severity index) versus sham acupuncture.  
• Experimental work suggests acupuncture modulates itch and inflammation via serotonin receptors (5-HT pathways), lowering histamine-related responses and shifting cytokine balance (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ) in eczema patients.  

In the greater body of literature, acupuncture is cited as a promising, low-adverse-risk adjuvant for eczema, though larger, high-quality trials are still needed.  

How We Use It Locally

At our Kingsport clinic, Dr. Brian will select acupoints tailored to your eczema pattern (e.g. liver imbalance, damp-heat, Qi deficiency). You may also receive electroacupuncture (EA) for itch relief and deeper modulation. Treatment is gentle but strategic, combined with diet, herbs, and lifestyle support.

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3) Chinese Herbal Medicine for Eczema

Herbal therapy helps from the inside: clearing internal heat, resolving dampness, nourishing Yin/Blood, calming the immune response, and supporting barrier repair.

What the Evidence Shows

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in children with moderate-to-severe AD showed that a Chinese herbal concoction improved quality of life and allowed reduced use of topical steroids.  
• A systematic review of 22 studies (mostly from Asia) showed that CHM (oral, topical, or mixed) had higher “effectiveness rates” and greater reduction in itching compared to controls, though the evidence quality was low.  
• A more recent review of high-level trials found that CHM improved lesion size, eczema severity, and sleep quality, with few serious side effects reported.  
• Topical CHM therapies also show promise: a meta-analysis of RCTs (2004–2021) showed topical CHM was about 1.29× more effective than placebo or steroids in mild-to-moderate AD, particularly when core herbs like Phellodendron chinense, Sophora flavescens, Cnidium monnieri, and Dictamnus dasycarpus are included.  

Common Herbal Formulas Used

Based on TCM pattern differentiation, some frequently used formulas include:

• Xiao Feng San (Expel the Wind Powder) — for wind-heat, weeping, rash extension
• Dang Gui Yin Zi / Dang Gui Zhi Yang Formula — for blood/nourishing with mild heat
• Qinzhuliangxue Decoction (QZLXD) — used in RCTs for eczema, showing greater efficacy vs conventional care after 4 weeks.  
• Pei Tu Qing Xin Tang (PTQXT) — pediatric eczema formula under clinical trial for children’s AD.  

Formulas are always customized—for example, if dampness is heavy, we might add Huang Qin, Cang Zhu; if dryness or Yin deficiency appears, we add nourishing herbs like Sheng Di Huang, Mai Men Dong.

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How This All Fits Together in East Tennessee

In Kingsport and surrounding regions, eczema often worsens in seasonal shifts, humidity changes, or under stress. Many patients also experience skin sensitivity, pollen exposure, or seasonal allergies. At Kingsport Acupuncture, Dr. Brian’s integrated approach means:

• We look beyond topical creams and ointments to internal balance.
• We integrate testing (IgG) to reduce flare triggers.
• We align acupuncture and herbs to your unique pattern, season, and skin response.
• We monitor progress, adjust formulas, and work closely with dermatologists or other physicians as needed.

While Chinese medicine is not a guaranteed cure for eczema, our approach aims to reduce flares, lessen dependence on steroids, calm itch, and help your skin become more resilient.