PRURIGO NODULARIS: AN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Nodular prurigo, as a dermatological pathology that is difficult to treat clinically, raises pertinent questions and invites reflection on the limits of conventional medicine and the need for more integrative therapeutic approaches. This article proposes a reflection on the contribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in understanding and addressing nodular prurigo, not just as a physical pathology, but as a manifestation of internal, physical and emotional imbalances (Maciocia, 2015). The choice of topic is justified by the growing demand for therapies that consider the subject holistically, in a context of valuing complementary and integrative medicines (WHO, 2013). The main aim of this article is to discuss how TCM principles - such as Qi imbalance, Liver stagnation and Blood heat - offer a functional approach to the treatment of chronic nodular pruritus. The methodology is based on a bibliographical analysis of an interpretative nature, based on classic and contemporary sources (Kaptchuk, 2000; Unschuld, 2003), exploring possible interfaces with the paradigm of conventional medicine. The reflection is based on the idea that illness, in TCM, is both a bodily and energetic expression, with the skin being a mirror of internal states. With this, an expanded model for reading illness is proposed, which integrates knowledge and recognizes the complexity of the human being. The conclusion is that TCM offers a relevant epistemological contribution, opening up possibilities for more person-centered care that is attuned to the multiple dimensions of the chronic illness experience.