Why Skin Problems Flare Up in Calgary's Warm Weather—And How TCM Can Help
As Calgary moves into its warm and active summer season, many people start to notice more frequent skin flare-ups—including itchy rashes, red eruptions, oozing patches, and swollen lymph nodes, especially after time spent outdoors.
At JD AcuCare Clinic, we often see patients with sudden skin disorders that begin at the neck or inner forearms and spread along lymphatic pathways, triggered by a combination of external heat, activity, and internal immune imbalance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a natural and holistic way to treat these issues from the inside out.
Calgary’s Warm Weather & Outdoor Lifestyle: What It Means for Your Skin
Calgary’s summer brings:
High UV exposure at elevation
Dry air mixed with bursts of humidity
More allergens (pollen, grass, mold)
Increased sweat, friction, and outdoor irritants
These factors can trigger:
Blocked pores, heat rash, or allergic reactions
Inflammation along lymphatic pathways
A rise in skin and immune-related flare-ups, especially in people with weakened immunity or sluggish digestion
Common Skin Conditions That Worsen in Warm Weather
Western Medicine Diagnoses:
TCM Understanding of Summer Skin Eruptions
In TCM, sudden skin disorders with itching, redness, oozing, or lymph node swelling are often caused by:
TCM Formulas, Herbal Ointments, and Acupuncture for Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders
Skin disorders such as spreading rashes, inflamed lymph nodes, and red, irritated eruptions—are often caused by a buildup of internal heat, dampness, and toxins. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these conditions are approached holistically through a combination of internal herbal formulas, topical ointments, and acupuncture, addressing both symptoms and the root imbalance.
Herbal Formula
When skin eruptions are hot, inflamed, and spreading along lymphatic pathways, TCM often uses Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin to detoxify the blood and reduce swelling. For acute cases involving fire toxins and lymphatic congestion, Chuan Xin Lian helps clear internal heat and supports lymph drainage. If the condition is more severe, with widespread redness, fever, or a hot, toxic feeling in the body, Huang Lian Jie Du Tang is used to purge internal fire and cool the blood. In cases where the skin is damp and oozing—particularly in the lower body—Er Miao San is prescribed to dry damp-heat and restore balance. For chronic or recurring skin problems, especially in patients with digestive weakness and fatigue, Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is chosen to strengthen Spleen function, resolve dampness, and improve overall immune response.
Herbal Ointment
Topical herbal ointments play a vital role in calming inflammation and supporting tissue healing. Qing Dai Gao, or Indigo Ointment, is especially effective for hot, moist, and inflamed skin conditions. It is commonly used to treat weeping eczema, psoriasis, heat rash (miliaria), and hives triggered by sun exposure or overheating. When the skin is dry, cracked, or irritated—but not actively inflamed—Zi Yun Gao (Purple Cloud Ointment) is ideal. It soothes and nourishes the skin, making it well-suited for contact dermatitis, diaper rash, minor burns, and dry eczema. For fungal skin infections, such as tinea, candida rashes, and seborrheic dermatitis, Liu Huang Gao (Sulfur Ointment) is used due to its strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties, particularly in oily or greasy skin. When there is visible pus, swelling, and localized heat—such as in boils, abscesses, or early cellulitis—San Huang Gao (Three Yellow Ointment) is applied to draw out infection and reduce inflammation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is often combined with herbal therapy to enhance healing and restore systemic balance. Specific acupuncture points help reduce heat, support immune regulation, and promote circulation of Qi and blood. Points such as LI11 and SP10 are used to clear internal heat and cool the blood, while DU14 and BL13 help release systemic heat and strengthen the body’s defensive Qi. To support digestion and eliminate dampness—often the root of chronic skin conditions—SP9 and ST36 are used. LU7 and LI4 help expel Wind from the body’s surface and protect the skin barrier, while local Ashi points are gently needled to reduce swelling and inflammation at the site of the rash or lymph congestion.
Through this integrated approach, TCM helps not only to relieve visible skin symptoms but also to restore immune balance, clear internal toxins, and prevent recurrence.
Nutrition and Home Care
TCM Nutrition for Skin & Lymph Detox
✅ Foods to Include:
Mung bean soup: clears heat and toxin
Barley water: dries dampness
Bitter greens (dandelion, mustard, arugula)
Chrysanthemum tea: cools Liver and skin
Cucumber, daikon radish, watermelon: cooling and hydrating
❌ Foods to Avoid:
Fried, greasy, and spicy foods
Ice-cold drinks (trap damp internally)
Dairy, sugar, and shellfish (increase damp-heat)
Lifestyle Tips for Summer Skin Health
Shower and change after sweating
Wear light, breathable clothing
Avoid direct sun during midday heat
Try gua sha or dry brushing to support lymph drainage
Use herbal compresses for swelling. It’s a safe, non-invasive way to absorb herbal properties through the skin and support local circulation, detoxification, and healing. A herbal compress involves:
Boiling or steeping specific herbs in water to extract their therapeutic properties.
Soaking a clean cloth in the herbal infusion.
Applying the warm or cool cloth to the affected area of the body for 15–30 minutes
Common Herbs: dandelion leaves (Pu Gong Ying), chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), green tea
JD AcuCare Clinic: Natural Skin & Immune Solutions in SE Calgary
If you're dealing with summer skin problems, rash spreading along lymph nodes, or recurrent flare-ups, JD AcuCare Clinic in SE Calgary offers customized herbal formulas and acupuncture treatments based on your body's internal balance—not just the symptoms.
✅ TCM tongue and pulse diagnosis
✅ Acupuncture treatment and herbal prescriptions
✅ Personalized holistic support
✅ Located in Erin Woods, SE Calgary
Heal Your Skin from Within—Book Your Summer Skin Consultation Today!