Q I am 65 and live in Dong-incheon. Can chronic eczema that has lasted more than 10 years improve with Korean medicine treatment?
A Chronic eczema lasting more than 10 years is not impossible to treat, but a significant reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life is a more realistic goal than complete elimination. In older patients, skin regeneration is slower so treatment takes longer, and underlying conditions also need to be managed. With consistent treatment, the main symptoms such as itching and sleep disruption often improve first.
Detailed Answer
Here are realistic expectations for long-term chronic eczema. The short-term goal is to first reduce itch intensity and sleep disruption, the mid-term goal is to reduce oozing, scabbing, and the extent of lesions, and the long-term goal is to normalize skin color and extend the interval between flares. The older the patient, the slower skin regeneration, so allow ample time, and underlying conditions must be managed together.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, the longer eczema has persisted, the more carefully we follow each stage. We first control itching with heat-clearing and detoxifying (清熱解毒) to reduce the patient's suffering, then address the foundation of hypersensitivity with immune stabilization, and finally take time during the skin regeneration stage to restore the damaged barrier. Rather than expecting a single cure, we set realistic step-by-step goals together.
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