Psoriasis - Damp-Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Psoriasis · Damp-Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Skin

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat is a pattern in psoriasis, characterized by pustular or exudative psoriasis, neutrophil infiltration, elevated IL-8, pustule formation, exudation, and erythema. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the skin, causing pustule formation, exudation, and neutrophilic inflammation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Pustules, exudation, erythema, moist lesions |

| Associated Symptoms | Sticky mouth, heavy sensation, yellow urine, feverishness |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the skin |

| Etiology | Poor diet, spicy and rich food intake, alcohol consumption, infection |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Clears Heat and detoxifies |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind and clears Heat |

| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Regulates Dampness and nourishes Blood |

| Fenglong (ST40) | 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, 2 cun lateral to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and Dampness |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with cupping to drain Damp-Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Bi Xie Shen Shi Tang (萆薢渗湿汤) or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤)

Composition:

Dioscorea (Bi Xie), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Alisma (Ze Xie), Plantago (Che Qian Zi), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, detoxifies, and reduces pustules.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Pustules | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Exudation | Add Fu Ling, Zhu Ling to promote diuresis |

| Erythema | Add Dan Shen, Chi Shao to cool blood |

| Feverishness | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

Western Mechanism Reference

Pustular or exudative psoriasis with neutrophil infiltration, elevated IL-8, pustule formation, and exudation. Damp-Heat corresponds to pustular or exudative psoriasis, where neutrophil infiltration and elevated IL-8 contribute to pustule formation and exudation.

References

  1. Dermatology of TCM - Psoriasis with Damp-Heat.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Damp-Heat → Clearing Pathway.

  3. WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for skin health.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM dermatology.