Skin & Hairxún má zhěn

Hives (urticaria)

Also called:nettle rashwelts

From the TCM perspective: Hidden-rash: wind-heat in the exterior or deficient blood/defense

Overview

Hives are raised red/pale itchy welts that appear and fade rapidly. TCM sees wind attacking the skin—acute with wind-heat/cold or damp-heat, and chronic recurrent cases from deficient defensive qi and blood, triggered by foods, cold or stress.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Wind-heat attacking the exterior

Key distinguishing signs: Red hot intensely itchy welts worse with heat, possibly sore throat, red tongue tip and rapid floating pulse
Treatment principle: Disperse wind and clear heat

Wind-cold binding the exterior

Key distinguishing signs: Pale welts triggered by cold/wind and relieved by warmth, itching, chills, pale tongue with white coat
Treatment principle: Disperse wind-cold and harmonize ying-wei

Intestinal damp-heat

Key distinguishing signs: Welts with abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation after trigger foods, bitter mouth and yellow greasy coat
Treatment principle: Clear heat, drain dampness and harmonize the middle

Blood deficiency generating wind

Key distinguishing signs: Chronic recurrent welts with dryness, fatigue, worse at night or with stress, pale tongue and fine pulse
Treatment principle: Nourish blood and extinguish internal wind

Daily self-care

Avoid and record known triggers (foods, drugs, cold, heat).
Use cool compresses, loose cotton clothing, and avoid hot showers and scratching.
Recurrent hives warrant medical evaluation; keep prescribed antihistamine available.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Welts with swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathlessness or muffled voice (anaphylaxis/angioedema).
Trouble swallowing, dizziness/fainting or low blood pressure.
Rapidly spreading hives after a sting, medication or new food.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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