Vitiligo - Wind-Dampness Trapping the Skin Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Vitiligo · Wind-Dampness Trapping the Skin Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Skin

Pattern Overview

Wind-Dampness Trapping the Skin is a pattern in vitiligo, characterized by immune-inflammatory response, depigmentation with blurred borders, itching, and spread of lesions. The core pathogenesis is Wind-Dampness pathogens trapping the skin, causing immune-inflammatory responses that damage melanocytes.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Depigmentation with blurred borders, itching, spreading lesions |

| Associated Symptoms | Itching, redness, sticky sensation, superficial spread |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with thin white coating, floating or slippery pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Wind-Dampness trapping the skin causing immune-inflammatory response |

| Etiology | External Wind-Dampness invasion, immune dysregulation, environmental factors |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Disperses Wind and clears Heat |

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

| Fengchi (GB20) | Depression below the occipital bone, between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius | Disperses Wind and releases the exterior |

| Xuehai (SP10) | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Cools Blood and stops itching |

| Ashi points | Borders of depigmented patches | Local treatment for skin lesions |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with local topical herbal applications.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Xiao Feng San (消风散)

Composition:

Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Arctium (Niu Bang Zi), Cicada Slough (Chan Tui), Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Sophora (Ku Shen), Tetrapanax (Mu Tong), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Disperses Wind, eliminates Dampness, and stops itching.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Itching | Add Bai Xian Pi, Ku Shen to stop itching |

| Spreading lesions | Add Fang Feng, Chan Tui to disperse Wind |

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

| Sticky sensation | Add Cang Zhu, Huo Xiang to transform Dampness |

Western Mechanism Reference

Immune-inflammatory response causing melanocyte damage, with epidermal Langerhans cell activation. Wind-Dampness Trapping the Skin corresponds to vitiligo with inflammatory activity, where Langerhans cell activation and immune-inflammatory responses contribute to melanocyte damage.

References

  1. Dermatology of TCM - Vitiligo with Wind-Dampness Trapping the Skin.

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

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