Skin rashes can appear for many different reasons. In Thai Traditional Medicine, rashes are not seen as a problem of the skin alone. They are often a sign that the inside of the body is not in balance.
From a Thai Traditional Medicine perspective, rashes are often linked to dirty blood, dirty lymph fluid, excess heat in the body, poor blood circulation, an unhealthy digestive system, and weakened lung function. When the body cannot properly remove waste and excess heat, these imbalances may appear on the skin as rashes, redness, and itching.
Why Topical Treatment Alone Is Not Enough
Topical treatments can be applied directly to the rash to help reduce discomfort, itching, and redness. However, in Thai Traditional Medicine, treating only the surface is usually not enough. It is also important to address the deeper reasons why the rash appears under the skin. If the internal imbalance remains, the rash may improve for a short time and then return.
For this reason, treatment often focuses on improving the condition of the blood and reducing excessive heat in the body. This heat may come from an overworked liver, dehydration, stress, lack of rest, or unsuitable food. Cleaning the intestines, nourishing the lungs, and improving blood circulation are also important parts of treatment. Herbal medicine is commonly used together with appropriate exercise and lifestyle adjustments to support the body’s natural healing process.
If you do not have access to herbal medicine, you can try simple natural remedies. Turmeric, phlai, ivy gourd leaves, betel pepper leaves, or banana peel may be gently applied to the rash to help reduce itching and inflammation. However, without caring for the whole body and correcting internal imbalances, the rashes are likely to return.
Diet and Food Triggers
Food plays a major role in skin health. Some foods may worsen rashes, although this differs from person to person. Common foods that may cause problems include eggs, dairy products, soy, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, acidic foods, shellfish, fermented foods, MSG, unhealthy vegetable oils, and diets lacking enough vegetables and fruits. Avoiding foods that create excess toxins, excess mucus, or place stress on digestion can help reduce skin symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Supporting Detoxification
Thai Traditional Medicine places strong importance on detoxification while also avoiding the intake of new toxins. The body naturally removes waste through sweating, urination, bowel movements, and breathing. Supporting these natural pathways helps reduce the burden on the blood and skin. Drinking enough water and engaging in regular exercise can support detoxification. Steaming and sauna may be helpful, but only if the body is not already overheated.
Healthy intestines are closely connected to healthy skin. Thai Traditional Medicine uses herbal formulas to gently cleanse and support the intestines. This approach is considered more natural and supportive than harsh methods such as colonic cleansing or coffee enemas. When the intestines are cleaner, the blood and lymph fluid also become cleaner, and rashes often calm down.
Healthy lung function also helps clean the blood and affects skin health. When the lungs are healthier, the skin often becomes clearer as well.
Good blood circulation also helps remove toxins from the body. In Thai Traditional Medicine, “ya hom,” translated as fragrant medicine, is often used to support blood circulation. There are many formulas of fragrant medicine, and we usually recommend those without synthetic camphor. These remedies help prevent the blood from becoming too thick and support circulation through small blood vessels.
A Whole-Body Approach to Skin Health
In Thai Traditional Medicine, clear skin reflects internal balance. By improving detoxification, blood circulation, lung health, digestion, and avoiding problematic foods and habits, rashes can be treated more deeply and sustainably. Rather than only calming the skin on the surface, this approach supports long-term skin health by caring for the whole body.
