Question 1

Why does acne occur?

Accepted Answer

When sebum secretion is excessive in pores, keratin accumulates, and acne bacteria (C. acnes) proliferate, causing inflammation. Hormonal changes are the biggest cause.

Question 2

Why is adult acne more troublesome?

Accepted Answer

Adolescent acne occurs in T-zone, but adult acne forms on jaw, cheeks, neckline; doesn't heal easily and leaves scars and pigmentation. Stress and hormonal imbalance are causes.

Question 3

What is cystic acne?

Accepted Answer

A large lump-like inflammatory acne lodged deep under the skin, painful and lasting long. Easily leaves scars; early professional treatment is needed.

Question 4

Acne always appears on chin before period

Accepted Answer

Pre-period progesterone increase promotes sebum and causes edema, blocking pores. A typical hormonal acne pattern.

Question 5

Mask acne, what should I do? (Maskne)

Accepted Answer

The hot, humid environment and friction inside masks irritate follicles. Use cotton masks, change frequently, wash face thoroughly after taking mask off.

Question 6

I get pimples after sweets

Accepted Answer

High-sugar foods spike blood sugar and stimulate insulin secretion, increasing sebaceous activity. Reduce high-GI foods like chocolate, snacks, soft drinks.

Question 7

Is frequent cleansing better?

Accepted Answer

Excessive cleansing destroys skin's oil-water balance, ironically promoting sebum. Twice daily (morning, evening) with gentle cleanser is enough.

Question 8

What exactly is atopic dermatitis?

Accepted Answer

It is a chronic allergic inflammatory skin disease. Severe itching, skin dryness, and characteristic eczema appear, alternating between improvement and flare-ups.

Question 9

Why does adult atopic dermatitis occur?

Accepted Answer

Childhood atopy may recur, or excessive stress, Westernized diet, and environmental pollution can cause first onset in adulthood.

Question 10

Is atopy hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Genetic tendency is strong. If one parent has atopy or allergic disease, children are more likely to develop it, but it is not absolute.

Question 11

Are infant heat rash and atopy different?

Accepted Answer

Infant heat rash refers to temporary skin rashes appearing 2–3 months after birth. If symptoms persist past 1 year, it's diagnosed as atopy.

Question 12

My itching gets so severe at night

Accepted Answer

At night, anti-inflammatory hormone (cortisol) decreases, body temperature rises, and bedding dryness and dust mites stimulate the skin, maximizing itchiness.

Question 13

Oozing and scabs appeared — what should I do?

Accepted Answer

This indicates worsening inflammation with risk of secondary infection. Gently clean oozing areas with saline (wet dressing) and avoid removing scabs with hands.

Question 14

Does sweating worsen atopy?

Accepted Answer

Yes — sweat evaporation steals skin moisture causing dryness, and salts/wastes in sweat irritate damaged skin causing stinging and itching.

Question 15

What exactly is eczema?

Accepted Answer

It is a general term for inflammatory skin conditions with itching, redness (erythema), blisters (vesicles), and oozing. Atopy, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis all fall under eczema.

Question 16

Why does dyshidrotic eczema occur?

Accepted Answer

Eczema with small blisters on palms and soles. Main causes are extreme stress, hyperhidrosis, metal allergy, and weakened immunity.

Question 17

My housewife eczema won't heal

Accepted Answer

It is a state where prolonged repeated exposure to water and detergents has destroyed the skin barrier. Wear cotton gloves inside rubber gloves, and always apply moisturizer after washing hands.

Question 18

What is nummular (coin-shaped) eczema?

Accepted Answer

Eczema occurring in coin-shaped circles, mainly on arms and legs. Severe oozing and intense itching are characteristic.

Question 19

My fingertips crack and bleed (asteatotic eczema)

Accepted Answer

Eczema from lack of skin oil, worsened in winter or dry environments. Cracks like dry rice paddy and painful cracks are characteristic.

Question 20

Eczema appeared where I wear my ring (contact dermatitis)

Accepted Answer

Allergic reaction caused by metals (nickel/chrome) or detergent residue trapped under the ring. Most cases improve when accessory wearing stops.

Question 21

My groin is itchy and red (jock itch?)

Accepted Answer

It could be groin eczema, but more likely 'tinea cruris' (fungal infection). Applying eczema cream (steroid) spreads the fungus, so diagnosis is essential.

Question 22

What is psoriasis? Is it from dryness?

Accepted Answer

Not simple dryness. It is a chronic inflammatory skin disease where immune dysfunction causes excessive proliferation of keratinocytes, producing silvery scales and red patches.

Question 23

Is psoriasis hereditary?

Accepted Answer

There is a genetic factor, but it's not 100% inherited. Even without family history, environmental triggers like stress, infection, and medications can cause onset.

Question 24

Difference between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis?

Accepted Answer

Atopy: itching is main symptom, occurs in flexural areas. Psoriasis: scales (plaques) are main symptom, mainly on extensor areas like elbows and knees.

Question 25

Scalp psoriasis vs. seborrheic scalp dermatitis — how to tell?

Accepted Answer

Scalp psoriasis is covered with thick silvery scales that can extend past the hairline; seborrheic scalp dermatitis has yellow flakes and oiliness.

Question 26

Bleeding when I peel off scales (Auspitz sign)

Accepted Answer

A characteristic sign of psoriasis. The skin under the scale is thinned with dilated vessels, so forcibly removing scales causes pinpoint bleeding.

Question 27

Psoriasis appears where I get cuts (Koebner phenomenon)

Accepted Answer

Psoriasis lesions newly appear where normal skin gets injured. Avoid skin irritation thoroughly: scrubbing, scratching, tattoos.

Question 28

Red dots all over after a cold (guttate psoriasis)

Accepted Answer

This is acute 'guttate psoriasis' appearing after sore throat or tonsillitis. Streptococcal infection stimulates the immune system, triggering the disease.

Question 29

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Accepted Answer

A chronic inflammatory skin disease producing red patches and yellow/oily flakes in sebum-rich areas like scalp, face T-zone, chest.

Question 30

Why does facial flushing occur?

Accepted Answer

Vessels easily dilate but don't constrict, causing facial redness. Alcohol, hot/spicy food, mood swings, temperature changes, hormonal changes are main triggers.

Question 31

Are rosacea and facial flushing the same?

Accepted Answer

Facial flushing is broader; rosacea is when flushing persists with acne-like papules, pustules, capillary dilation.

Question 32

My scalp is oily and smells

Accepted Answer

Typical seborrheic scalp dermatitis. Sebum and keratin tangled and hardened on the scalp can produce odor; if neglected can lead to hair loss.

Question 33

Flakes appear next to eyebrows or nostrils

Accepted Answer

T-zone seborrheic dermatitis. Eyebrows, nostrils, around the lips are common areas where keratin and redness easily appear due to high sebum.

Question 34

I turn red as fire when drinking alcohol

Accepted Answer

Acetaldehyde produced when alcohol is broken down dilates blood vessels. This 'Asian flush' is common in East Asians who lack the ALDH2 enzyme.

Question 35

Should I avoid spicy foods and chili?

Accepted Answer

Capsaicin dilates vessels and triggers/worsens facial flushing. If it burns instantly, avoid it.

Question 36

What is urticaria? Looks like insect bites

Accepted Answer

A reaction where skin swells red like mosquito bites (wheals) with severe itching. Disappearing in hours and reappearing elsewhere is characteristic.

Question 37

What is cholinergic urticaria?

Accepted Answer

Urticaria appearing when body temperature rises by more than 1°C from exercise, bathing, stress. Tiny millet-grain wheals with prickling pain are characteristic.

Question 38

What is dermatographism?

Accepted Answer

A type of 'physical urticaria' where skin swells along the path of pressing or scratching. Called dermographism (skin-writing) because you can write on the skin.

Question 39

My whole body itches every night, driving me crazy

Accepted Answer

Urticaria is worst at night when blood vessels dilate. Body cortisol (anti-inflammatory hormone) drops and bedding temperature rises.

Question 40

Is it food allergy?

Accepted Answer

Acute urticaria may be caused by spoiled food or specific items (peach, crab, peanuts), but chronic urticaria is far more often unrelated to food.

Question 41

My eyes and lips swelled up (angioedema)

Accepted Answer

Swelling of deep skin (lower dermis) or submucosal tissue. Sometimes accompanies urticaria; if severe, airways can swell causing breathing difficulty.

Question 42

Cold-induced urticaria — appears in cold wind

Accepted Answer

Hives appear when cold air or water exposure is followed by warming. Mouth can swell from eating ice cream, and cold-water swimming risks shock and is forbidden.

Question 43

What are warts?

Accepted Answer

Benign tumors caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infecting the skin. Common on hands and feet; spreads and recurs when immunity drops.

Question 44

Difference between water warts (molluscum) and regular warts?

Accepted Answer

Water warts are from poxvirus, regular warts from HPV. Water warts have a depressed center looking like blisters and mainly occur in children.

Question 45

What are flat warts?

Accepted Answer

Small flat warts on forehead, cheeks, hands. Skin-tone or light brown, often grouped in clusters.

Question 46

Plantar warts vs. corns — different?

Accepted Answer

Different. Plantar warts come from virus and have black dots (vessels) inside; corns are from pressure and have a core.

Question 47

Why am I more prone to warts?

Accepted Answer

Easily occurs in those with weak immunity, moist hands/feet, or lots of small skin wounds. Children, adolescents, and atopy patients are high risk.

Question 48

Are warts contagious? Can we wash together?

Accepted Answer

Yes, contagious. Direct contact with warts or sharing towels/bathroom floors can transmit. Personal items should be separate for safety.

Question 49

Is wart freezing (liquid nitrogen) painful?

Accepted Answer

Briefly cold and prickly. After the procedure, blisters form, turn black-scabbed and fall off as the wart sheds. Multiple repeated treatments are needed.

Question 50

How long does skin treatment usually take?

Accepted Answer

Acute dermatitis: 2–4 weeks; chronic atopy/psoriasis: 3–6 months or more recommended. With constitutional improvement it can take longer; treatment plan is adjusted based on progress.

Question 51

Do you also guide diet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, skin conditions are closely linked to diet. We guide aggravating foods (wheat flour, dairy, oily food) and constitution-matched diet during consultation.

Question 52

Is telemedicine available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, herbal medicine prescription is possible after a phone consultation, with herbs delivered by courier. Initial visit is recommended in person; follow-ups can be telemedicine.

Question 53

Is cupping used for skin conditions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cupping removes blood stasis and promotes blood circulation, helping skin regeneration. Particularly effective when combined with herbs in chronic dermatitis or psoriasis.

Question 54

Does moxibustion help with skin disorders?

Accepted Answer

Yes, moxibustion supplements yang energy and boosts immunity, helping atopic dermatitis, chronic eczema and other deficiency-pattern skin conditions.

Question 55

Is physical therapy combined with skin disease treatment?

Accepted Answer

As needed, infrared therapy or thermal therapy can be combined to support blood circulation and skin regeneration.

Question 56

Is Korean medicine for skin covered by health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture, cupping, chuna and other Korean medicine procedures are covered. Herbal medicine is non-covered, but supplemental insurance may apply.

Question 57

Roughly how much does skin treatment cost?

Accepted Answer

Insurance-covered treatments (acupuncture, cupping etc.) have low patient share. Herbal medicine cost varies by prescription and duration. Exact costs are explained after consultation.

Question 58

Can I pay by card or installment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, credit card, debit card, cash all accepted with interest-free installments available.

Question 59

Why is Chuna therapy needed for skin treatment?

Accepted Answer

The spine and autonomic nervous system are closely connected. Chuna alignment restores autonomic balance, stabilizes skin immune response, and helps herbal medicine work better.

Question 60

Do atopic dermatitis patients receive Chuna?

Accepted Answer

Yes — atopy is an immune over-reaction, so autonomic stabilization is important. Chuna correcting cervical and thoracic spine eases sympathetic hyperactivity, helping reduce itching and inflammation.

Question 61

Is Chuna therapy covered by health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when accompanied by musculoskeletal symptoms, Chuna therapy is covered by health insurance.

Question 62

Is acupuncture effective for skin disorders?

Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture regulates skin immune response and improves blood circulation, effectively reducing inflammation in atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis and various skin conditions.

Question 63

How is pharmacopuncture used for skin conditions?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacopuncture injects anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic herbal compounds directly into acupoints. Particularly effective for severe itching, chronic inflammation, and recurrent skin conditions.

Question 64

Won't acupuncture irritate the skin further?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture can be applied directly to skin lesions. Needling acupoints and ashi-points around the lesion accelerates local circulation and inflammatory exudate clearance, speeding skin regeneration and symptom relief compared to using only distal points.

Skin Disorders

🏥 FAQs by Condition

Acupuncture & Pharmacopuncture

Cupping & Physical Therapy

Herbal Medicine

Chuna Therapy

Cost & Insurance

Other

Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema

Psoriasis

Urticaria (Hives)

Acne

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Warts

💬 All FAQs 67questions