Many psoriasis patients hope to find a "cure" method, but first it is necessary to clarify:Psoriasis, as a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease, currently has no method in either traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine that can completely "eradicate the root cause" (i.e., prevent recurrence forever).However, through scientific traditional Chinese medicine regulation and long-term management, it is entirely possible to achieve the goal of "stable condition, reduced recurrence, mild symptoms, and no impact on normal life," which is also the core direction of traditional Chinese medicine in treating psoriasis.

I. Why is Psoriasis Difficult to "Cure Completely"? Exploring the Root Causes from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the onset of psoriasis is not caused by a single factor, but rather the result of the combined action of "congenital endowment + acquired triggers".

  1. Congenital Basis: Constitution Susceptibility

Some patients are born with a constitutional tendency of "deficiency of qi and blood" and "disharmony of the zang-fu organs" (for example, if parents have psoriasis, children are prone to inherit susceptibility genes). This constitution is like "soil," and once exposed to external triggers, it can easily induce the onset of the condition.

  1. Acquired Etiology: Repeated Stimulation

Dry autumn, cold winter, spicy diet, emotional anxiety, staying up late and overwork, and skin trauma can all act as "triggers," causing an imbalance of "blood heat, blood stasis, and wind-dryness" in the body to reoccur, leading to a relapse of the condition.

Given that "the constitutional basis is difficult to change and acquired triggers are hard to completely avoid," psoriasis is challenging to "cure completely." However, by regulating the constitution and reducing triggers, the frequency of recurrence can be effectively lowered.

II. Traditional Chinese Medicine does not pursue "complete eradication" but rather "long-term stability": three core objectives

The focus of traditional Chinese medicine in treating psoriasis is not on "one-time eradication," but rather on achieving three more pragmatic goals through "regulating constitution, controlling symptoms, and preventing recurrence."

  1. Rapid control of acute phase symptoms

During the acute phase of psoriasis (characterized by bright red erythema, abundant scales, and severe itching), the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine for "clearing heat and cooling blood" (such as Liangxue Dihuang Decoction) and external washing therapy can rapidly alleviate skin lesions and itching, preventing the condition from worsening and impacting daily life.

  1. Repairing Constitution and Prolonging Remission Period

After the acute phase, adjust the prescription based on the syndrome type (e.g., use Taohong Siwu Decoction for blood stasis syndrome and Danggui Yinzi for blood deficiency syndrome) to gradually improve the constitution of "imbalance of qi and blood," allowing the condition to enter the "remission phase" (skin lesions subside, no significant discomfort) and strive to prolong the remission period (e.g., extending from "recurrence every six months" to "recurrence every 2-3 years").

  1. Reduce the severity of recurrence

Even if the condition recurs, long-term management can lead to milder symptoms during recurrence (such as smaller erythema area, less scaling, and lighter itching), faster recovery, and prevention of progression to "severe psoriasis" (such as pustular or erythrodermic types).

III. The Key to Achieving "Long-Term Stability": Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation + Lifestyle Management

To achieve the goal of "fewer recurrences and milder symptoms," relying solely on medication is insufficient; it requires a dual approach of "Traditional Chinese Medicine regulation + lifestyle management."

  1. Adhere to syndrome differentiation-based regulation and avoid arbitrarily discontinuing medication.
  • Acute phase: Take traditional Chinese medicine as prescribed by the doctor for 2-4 weeks. After symptoms are relieved, do not stop the medication immediately. Under the guidance of a doctor, adjust to a "gentle conditioning formula" (such as using small amounts of Dang Gui and Huang Qi to replenish qi and nourish blood) for 1-2 months to consolidate treatment and aid in physical recovery.
  • Remission Period: During the spring and autumn seasons each year (peak periods for psoriasis), traditional Chinese medicine can be used for "preventive conditioning" in advance (such as using Ophiopogon japonicus and Polygonatum odoratum to nourish yin and moisten dryness during the dry autumn season) to reduce the risk of seasonal factor-induced flare-ups.
  1. Strictly avoid "relapse triggers"
  • Diet: Long-term avoidance of spicy foods, seafood, lamb, and other "trigger foods." Increase consumption of blood-nourishing foods such as spinach, apples, and lean meat. Avoid alcohol.
  • Skin: Avoid scratching the skin daily, keep bath water temperature below 40°C, consistently apply medical moisturizing cream in autumn and winter to prevent skin dryness;
  • Emotion: Maintain a regular routine, avoid staying up late and anxiety, and relieve stress through activities such as walking and listening to music (Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that "anger harms the liver," and poor emotions can easily worsen blood stasis).
  1. Timely intervention upon the appearance of "recurrence signals"

When early signs of recurrence such as "small red spots and mild scaling" appear on the skin, do not wait for symptoms to worsen before taking action. Promptly use the previously prescribed external wash formula (for example, for blood deficiency syndrome, use a decoction of Angelica sinensis and Dictamnus dasycarpus for external washing) or seek follow-up consultation to adjust medication. This helps quickly control the condition and prevent progression to the acute phase.

IV. Beware of the "Root Cure" Trap: Avoid These Misconceptions

Many patients, driven by a desire for a "complete cure," easily fall into the following misconceptions, which can actually worsen their condition:

  1. Believing in "folk remedies for a complete cure"

"Folk remedy ointments" and "Chinese herbal pills" that claim to "quickly cure the root cause" often contain mercury, arsenic, or hormones. While they may temporarily reduce skin lesions in the short term, long-term use can lead to skin atrophy, heavy metal poisoning, and even trigger severe psoriasis. It is essential to avoid them.

  1. Symptom relief leads to discontinuation of medication and failure to follow up

Some patients discontinue medication on their own and stop follow-up visits as soon as their symptoms alleviate, resulting in incomplete physical recovery and rapid recurrence upon exposure to triggers. The correct approach is to maintain regular follow-up appointments (every 3-6 months) even after symptoms subside, allowing the physician to adjust the treatment plan based on the patient's physical condition.

  1. Relying solely on traditional Chinese medicine while neglecting lifestyle management

While taking traditional Chinese medicine for regulation, staying up late and consuming spicy foods is equivalent to "repairing the road while tearing it down," making it difficult to achieve stable control of the condition. Lifestyle management is the "foundational project" for preventing recurrence and must be consistently maintained over the long term.

Summary: Accepting that it is "difficult to eradicate completely," but believing it "can be stabilized."

Although psoriasis is difficult to cure completely, through scientific TCM syndrome differentiation and long-term lifestyle management, the goal of stable condition, fewer recurrences, and mild symptoms can be fully achieved, minimizing the impact of the disease on daily life. The key is to adopt a mindset of long-term management, not seeking an immediate cure, but rather achieving peaceful coexistence with the disease through continuous regulation and protection. If you are currently in an acute phase or have doubts about the treatment plan, it is recommended to seek a face-to-face consultation at a formal hospital's TCM department, allowing the doctor to develop a personalized plan based on your specific situation.