Psoriasis - Blood-Dryness Pattern
Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Psoriasis · Blood-Dryness Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Skin
Pattern Overview
Blood-Dryness is a common pattern in stationary psoriasis, characterized by hyperkeratosis, dry skin, scaling, reduced skin hydration, and thickened plaques. The core pathogenesis is Blood deficiency failing to moisten the skin, leading to abnormal epidermal turnover, hyperkeratosis, and reduced skin hydration.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
| :— | :— |
| Primary Symptoms | Dry skin, scaling, thickened plaques, reduced lesion spread |
| Associated Symptoms | Dry mouth, pale complexion, dizziness, poor sleep |
| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with little coating, thready and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Blood deficiency failing to moisten the skin |
| Etiology | Prolonged psoriasis, inadequate treatment, poor nutrition, aging |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Xuehai (SP10) | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Nourishes Blood and moistens the skin |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
| Geshu (BL17) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7 | Back-Shu point of the Blood; nourishes Blood |
| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Nourishes Kidney-Yin and supports Blood production |
| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and Blood |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Xuehai and Geshu to nourish Blood.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Dang Gui Yin Zi (当归饮子) or Yang Xue Run Fu Yin (养血润肤饮)
Composition:
Angelica (Dang Gui), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di), Polygonum (He Shou Wu), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen), Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Nourishes Blood, moistens Dryness, and reduces scaling.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
| :— | :— |
| Severe dry skin | Add Mai Dong, Tian Hua Fen to generate fluids and moisten dryness |
| Scaling | Add Dan Shen, Ji Xue Teng to improve microcirculation |
| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |
| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |
Western Mechanism Reference
Stationary phase epidermal hyperkeratosis and dry skin with abnormal epidermal turnover and reduced skin hydration. Blood-Dryness corresponds to stationary psoriasis, where reduced skin hydration and abnormal epidermal turnover contribute to hyperkeratosis and scaling.
References
Dermatology of TCM - Stationary Psoriasis with Blood-Dryness.
WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.
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