Urticaria - Stomach-Intestine Damp-Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Urticaria · Stomach-Intestine Damp-Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Skin

Pattern Overview

Stomach-Intestine Damp-Heat is a pattern in urticaria, characterized by food allergy or gut dysbiosis-induced wheals, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sticky mouth, and nausea. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines, causing gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and immune-mediated wheal formation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Wheals, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sticky mouth, nausea |

| Associated Symptoms | Poor appetite, bloating, yellow urine, foul-smelling stools |

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

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the Stomach and Intestines |

| Etiology | Food allergy, poor diet, gut dysbiosis, spicy and rich food intake |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Tianshu (ST25) | 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Large Intestine; regulates bowel function |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; harmonizes digestion |

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

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

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

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

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (防风通圣散) or Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang (除湿胃苓汤)

Composition:

Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Ephedra (Ma Huang), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Mirabilite (Mang Xiao), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Gypsum (Shi Gao), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, harmonizes the Stomach-Intestine, and stops itching.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Food-related wheals | Add Jiao San Xian to promote digestion |

| Abdominal pain | Add Mu Xiang, Yan Hu Suo to regulate Qi and stop pain |

| Diarrhea | Add Shan Yao, Yi Yi Ren to strengthen Spleen and stop diarrhea |

| Sticky mouth | Add Huo Xiang, Pei Lan to transform Dampness |

Western Mechanism Reference

Food allergy or gut dysbiosis-induced urticaria with increased intestinal permeability and elevated food-specific IgG. Stomach-Intestine Damp-Heat corresponds to food allergy-related urticaria, where gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability contribute to immune-mediated wheal formation.

References

  1. Dermatology of TCM - Urticaria with Stomach-Intestine Damp-Heat.

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

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

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