Traditional Thai herbal medicine as an alternative treatment for refractory chronic eczema.

Introduction: Traditional Thai herbal medicine has been an important part of health care in Thailand for centuries due to perceived efficacy with fewer side effects. However, limited clinical evidence of the effectiveness of traditional Thai herbal medicine for eczema therapy has been documented. This case report aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of traditional Thai herbal formulations used by a traditional Thai medicine doctor, Mr. Somporn Chanwanitsakul, for refractory chronic eczema.

Materials And Methods: In this case, an eight-year-old girl with chronic eczema was treated daily with traditional Thai herbal medicines combining two oral formulations: (i) haematic tonic and (ii) lymphatic and skin treatment with two external formulations: (i) bath formulation and (ii) topical therapy for a period of four weeks. Therapeutic effects were assessed weekly using photographic comparison.

Results: After two weeks of treatment, itching decreased and skin lesions became darker and thinner. All skin lesions completely disappeared and only post-inflammatory pigmentation was noticed after four weeks. In addition, no recurrence was observed at a subsequent three month follow-up examination following the end of treatment.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that combined traditional Thai herbal formulations can be used to successfully treat chronic eczema and could be considered as an alternative treatment for refractory chronic eczema.