• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.361-376
• /
• 1999

1. Backgrounds and Purpose : Pruritus, one of the most common dermatological symptoms, was clinically examined with a view to a better understanding of its characteristics for more accurate treatment. 2. Method : For 22 months from November in 1997 to September in 1999 we selected outpatients who had consulted for itchiness more than twice in the department of Sasang Constitution of the Pundang Oriental medical hospital, Dongkook University, and 59 of those (35 males and 24 females) were confirmed of their course of treatment. From their medical records and history, we learned the general characteristics and patterns of pruritus, and the qualities and effects of its various treatments. 3. Result and Conclusion : Pruritus was more complained by men than by women and the largest age groups were 20's and 30's. For its suffering period, the duration of 1 month to less than 1 year was the greatest, and most patients had already experienced western medical care. Itchiness affected them almost day and night. In addition, many patients had abnormal bowel habits as a general symptom. According to Sasang Constitution, the Soeumin gave sleep disturbance and indigestion; the Soyangin showed a different pattern in their tongue coatings and bowel habits; the Taeumin had different tongue coatings and sweating pattern. The commonly prescribed herbal formula for pruritus was Gakhangjungisan, Yangkyuksanhwatang, Chungsimyonjatang. As for their efficiency, 61.0 % of patients improved, whereas 39.0 percent did not. Patients aged over 30 showed a more significant improvement than those of 20 years or under, and the duration of less than 1 year was more significantly improved than that of 1 year or more. Those who had no experience in western medical care or had been continuously treated showed a more significant improvement than those with intermittent treatments, and severe pruritus was more significantly improved than mild pruritus.