Volume 4, Number 3 | Fall 2009

Kampo Dermatology – Clinical Studies
Solar Irritating Dermatitis/Sunburn (7)Fumino Ninomiya

circulatory system in the dermis, and connective

Aoki Clinic

To reduce inflammation, maobushisaishinto isUltraviolet radiation is made up of different
wavelengths which are classified into UVA (longwavelength), UVB (middle wavelength), and UVC(short wavelength). The radiation levels of UVA
are at their highest from May through to the endof August, whereas UVB levels are at theirhighest from July to the end of August. Solarirritating dermatitis frequently happens fromApril to October.

into the skin, causes wrinkles and slack, andaccelerates skin ageing. UVB rays are absorbedby the surface layers of the skin, causing skininflammation. The skin surface becomes red
which then turns to black. If this is repeated over
and over gain, the production of keratin increases
theincreasedproductionofmelanin, which is the source of spots and freckles.
The skin exposed to direct rays of the sun forhours becomes like being burned, which isreferred to as sunburn. The skin complexions ofpeople are various, some have fair skin by nature,some have dark skin, and some have medium
complexions. The sensitivity and response to thesunlight differ among people. Just walking in thesunshine causes inflammation in the exposed
region of the skin – this condition is specificallycalled as solar irritating dermatitis.
In a skin inflammation induced by ultraviolet
radiation, symptoms are generally swollen red
facewithkeratoma.
used. If coldness exists, this formula is more
effective because aconite daughter tuber andAsiasarum root work on the kidney together withthe action of keeping the kidney warm. By
warming the kidney, the legs and feet also getwarmed, which improves the predisposition sothat the skin does not get burned easily.
And, in the extremely hot season, systemic
flushes and dryness become intense.

Sometimes

hyperthermia-like symptoms appear. A skin

UVA plays a role in carcinogenesis, penetrates

accompanying

tissues, leading to wrinkles, spots/blemishes, andblisters.

Repeated

exposures

toultraviolet radiation often result in chronic
disorders. Ultraviolet radiation causes damages
to such as epidermal cells, pigment cells, theinflammation that exhibits hyperthermia-like
symptoms

iscalled

solardermatitis.

Erythroderma developed as a result of solar
dermatitis

needsprescriptions

that

have

heat-clearing and diuretic actions. For this,byakkokaninjinto, shofusan, and eppikajutsuto
are used. If enriching yin and clearing heat areexpected, shishihakuhito is used. This formula isgood for red spots (erythema) around the eyes andconjunctival injection.
Once these inflammations have developed,
mostly kidney yang becomes deficient and legsbecome cold. So sun care and a warming type ofprescriptions are required. It is needless to addthat Kampo medicines for oral administrationdiffer depending on the condition.
In any event, avoiding ultraviolet rays isimportant.

Beachsunbathingandartificial

tanning are out of the question. Even with a hat
on for protection, there are negative influencesfrom the reflection of ultraviolet radiation, socaution is necessary. In other periods thanMay-August, needless to say, care needs to betaken for winter snow-surfaces. Light reflections
from water surfaces, sand hills, and asphalt have

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

17Volume 4, Number 3 | Fall 2009

also adverse affects, which needs to be taken intowith white furs

account. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent ofTreatment and course

the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through theInitialclouds and reach the earth.

eppikajutsuto 5.0g were administered for 7 days.

Since UVA has the action of carcinogenesis asshishihakuhito

visit.

Togetherwith4.0g

theseandmedicines,

mentioned above, protecting ultraviolet rays ismaobushisaishinto was also prescribed. The

connected to preventing cancer. Especially inpatient received the instructions that it be taken

women, the use of cosmetics, for example, with30 minutes before going out and need not belight blocking effects will help prevent skintaken on rainy days.

damages and diseases or stop inflammation from

Re-visit:

becoming exacerbated.

Constipation. Sweating around the jaw.

History of present illness: More than 40 years ago(around at the age of 20) solar irritating
dermatitis developed and every year it occurred.
This year, it was in May (two months ago).
Present condition: There were swellings and redpots (solar irritating dermatitis) from the face tothe hands. Hives, drug eruptions, and thyroid
hypofunction developed. Legs were cold. The
patient was using many internal anti-allergic andandwasmostlytreated.

were administered for 14 days.

64 year- old, female

agentsface

Daiobotampito 5.0g and sammmotsuogonto 5.0g

Case 1: Solar irritating dermatitis

antihistaminicThe

external

betamethasone and other two agents that wereMaobushisaishinto 5.0g was also prescribed as in
the initial visit.
Fourdiagnoses.

daiobotampito

5.0g

and

sammmotsuogonto 5.0g were administered for 14days.

Maobushisaishinto 5.0g was also prescribed. Curewas attained.
Case 2: Solar irritating dermatitis ＋ atopic
dermatitis
25-year old, female

prescribed by her previous physician.

Before treatment

After 1 week

UV test up to 10 seconds（―）
Abdominal condition: Tenderness in para-umbilican
regions on both sides
Tongue condition: Tongue body - purple-red colored18

After 2 weeks

Present condition: Solar irritating dermatitis andatopic dermatitis became aggravated six months
ago. The conditions became further aggravated by
the steroids administered by a previous physician.

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 4, Number 3 | Fall 2009

After this, maobushisaishinto alone was used.

UV test up to 30 seconds (-)

Good conditions were maintained.
Treatment and course

Sammmotsuogonto 5.0g and maobushisaishinto
5.0g were administered for 7 days.

Before treatment

Before treatment

After 2 weeks

After 2 weeks

Shishihakuhito 5.0g and maobushisaishinto 5.0g
were also administered for 7 days.
The condition of solar dermatitis improved.
However, red spots on the face, forehead, andupper body appeared due to sweat.

eppikajutsuto 5.0g and maobushisaishinto 5.0g
were administered for 7 days. The overall
condition including atopic dermatitis became
good.

Before treatment

Case 25: Solar dermatitis ＋Erythroderma
Female of 53 years old
Current medical history: Erythroderma. Allergic
dermatitis was transferred to solar dermatitis,which then progressed to erythroderma. Facial
ertythroderma developed three years ago andgradually expanded to the present condition.
She had various examinations at the Departmentof Dermatology of a certain University Hospital

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

19

Volume 4, Number 3 | Fall 2009

with the findings of no abnormalities.
She also visited the Departments of Gynecology
and Ophthalmology of the University Hospitaland was told that she had uterine myoma and eye
floaters.
Present condition: Marked erythroderma which
was caused by solar dermatitis.
Abdominal condition: Stuffiness in the epigastricregionTongue condition: White moss, veins (+).
Examinations: UV test 10 seconds and more (+).

Treament and course
Inchingoreisan 5.0g, tsudosan 5.0g, andbyakkokaninjinto 6.0g were administered for 14 days.
The patient had a favorable course withremaining hot flashes and dry mouth (+). In twoweeks, they were mostly recovered.
Inchingoreisan 5.0g, tsudosan 5.0g, andkeigairengyoto 5.0g were administered for 14days.
A cure was achieved.

After 2 weeks

Before treatment

The SDS 42 (training on autonomic nervousfunctions) was conducted. Total cholesterol
239mg/dl↑ LDL cholesterol 169↑ β globulin
l0.6↑

20

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)