Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Treatment of COVID-19-Related Psoriasis: An Observational Success in Alternative Therapy
Abstract:
This report describes a 37-year-old male who developed severe psoriasis after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2023. Western medicine treatment proved ineffective over six months. In September, he switched to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment. At the initial assessment, psoriasis affected 22% of his Body Surface Area (BSA), with a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score of 12.6. TCM diagnosis indicated a predominance of dampness and spleen deficiency. The treatment plan included Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang, Wu Ling San, and topical application of Indigo Naturalis gel, among other Chinese herbal therapies. One week later, there was improvement with a decrease in BSA to 17% and a PASI score of 3.9. Three weeks into treatment, the psoriasis disappeared, and no relapse occurred during the three-month follow-up period. Globally, psoriasis affects approximately 0.5-11.4% of adults, with increased cases of worsening or new-onset psoriasis following COVID-19. TCM has emerged as a new option for treating psoriasis, especially in cases where Western medicine has proven ineffective. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of TCM in treating COVID-19-related psoriasis, offering a research opportunity for the modern application of traditional Chinese medicine in healthcare.
