Itchy eyes

Irritation of the eyes, attributed to wind-fire, damp-heat, blood vacuity engendering wind, or to abatement of an evil and restoration of right after enduring disease.

Patterns

Wind-heat (风热 fēng rè): Itch due to wind-heat is a pronounced itch with scorching sensation, slight fear of light, tearing, and a scant stringy discharge.

Medicinal therapy: If heat signs are mild, use Wind-Expelling One Zì Powder (驱风一字散 qū fēng yī zì sǎn); if pronounced, use Lonicera and Forsythia Powder (银翘散 yín qiào sǎn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on GB and LI. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí), TB-5 (Outer Pass, 外关 wài guān), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole, 瞳子髎 tóng zǐ liáo), GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears, 足临泣 zú lín qì), and Greater yáng (tài yáng) (太阳 tài yáng); needle with drainage.

Damp-heat (湿热 shī rè) causes itchy eyes with red ulcerated eyelid rims, and tears and copious eye discharge. In some cases, there are large grain-like lumps inside the eyelids with itching like wriggling worms.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and eliminate dampness with variations of Three Yellows Decoction (三黄汤 sān huáng tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LI, ST, SP, and BL. Select LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán), Greater yáng (tài yáng) (太阳 tài yáng), BL-1 (Bright Eyes, 睛明 jīng míng), and GV-23 (Upper Star, 上星 shàng xīng); needle with drainage.

Blood vacuity (血虚 xuè xū): Itchy eyes due to blood vacuity engendering wind is characterized by mild itching of both eyes that is temporarily relieved by rubbing, dryness and discomfort of the eyes, a facial complexion with little lust, a pale tongue, and a fine stringlike pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Nourish the blood and dispel wind with Four Agents Decoction (四物汤 sì wù tāng) plus schizonepeta spike (Schizonepetae Flos, 荆芥穗 jīng jiè suì) and tribulus (Tribuli Fructus, 刺蒺藜 cì jí lí).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on GB, LR, SP, and ST. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi), LR-8 (Spring at the Bend, 曲泉 qū quán), GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole, 瞳子髎 tóng zǐ liáo), GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears, 足临泣 zú lín qì), and Greater yáng (tài yáng) (太阳 tài yáng); needle with even supplementation and drainage.

Abatement of evil Itching eyes due to abatement of an evil and restoration of right after enduring illness requires no particular treatment. Itching is also associated with the peppercorn sore and ulceration of the eyelid rim.