A Case of Prurigo Nodularis with Skin Rash that Occurred after COVID-19 Vaccination

Article information

J Korean Med. 2023;44(3):117-125
Publication date (electronic) : 2023 September 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.23035
1Department of Medical Support, Imsil-gun Medical Center, Imsil, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
2Yaksonbubu Korean Medicine Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3Department of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
4Research Center of Traditional Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
5Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, Deokjingu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Correspondence to: Min-Cheol Park, Department of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology, Wonkwang University, Korean Medicine Hospital, 895 Muwang-ro, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do, 54538, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-859-2821, Fax: +82-63-841-0033, E-mail: spinx11@wonkwang.ac.kr
Correspondence to: Eun-Heui Jo, Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, 99, Garyeonsan-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 54887, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-270-1022, Fax: +82-63-270-1199, E-mail: freezo@wonkwang.ac.kr
Received 2023 April 26; Revised 2023 May 30; Accepted 2023 August 22.

Abstract

Objectives

This study is to report a case of prurigo nodularis with skin rash that occurred after COVID-19 vaccination improved by Korean medicine treatment.

Methods

The patient visited our hospital complaining of prurigo nodularis and skin rashes which occurred in various parts of the body (Total score 17). The patient complained of sleep disturbance (NRS 9) due to nighttime pruritus (NRS 7). Based on the patient’s symptoms, herbal medicine Soshiho-tang and acupuncture on the left Triple Energizer Hangyeok was prescribed.

Results

Most of the skin symptoms improved significantly leaving only scars, minor scratches and pigmentation (Total score 17 → 6). The patient’s sleep condition improved (NRS 7 → 1) as the pruritus decreased from NRS 9 to 2.

Conclusions

This study is significant in that the patient with prurigo nodularis accompanied by skin rash effectively improved by the Korean Medicine treatment.

Fig. 1

Treatment timeline

Fig. 2

Clinical progress of purigo nodularis

Fig. 3

Clinical progress of skin rash

Symptom Evaluation Index

Prescription of Soshiho-tang

Symptom Progress of Purigo Nodularis and Skin Rash

References

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Treatment timeline

Fig. 2

Clinical progress of purigo nodularis

Fig. 3

Clinical progress of skin rash

Table 1

Symptom Evaluation Index

Symptom Severity
Objective Symptoms Redness
Erythema
Papule
Nodule
Abrasion
Crusting
0=Absence
1=Mild
2=Moderate
3=Severe
Subjective Symptoms Pruritus
Sleep Loss
0 (None) ~ 10 (Severe)

Table 2

Prescription of Soshiho-tang

Name of Natural Medicine (Herbal Medicine) Weight(g)
柴胡 Bupleurum falcatum L. 8
半夏 Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino 6
黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi 3
人蔘 Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. 3
生薑 Zingiber officinale Roscoe 3
大棗 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. 4
甘草 Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. 3

Total Amount 30

Table 3

Symptom Progress of Purigo Nodularis and Skin Rash

2022.02.28 2022.03.18 2022.04.05
Objective Symptoms Redness 3 1 1
Erythema 3 2 1
Papule 2 1 1
Nodule 3 2 1
Abrasion 3 2 1
Crusting 3 2 1

Subjective Symptoms Pruritus 9 5 2
Sleep Loss 7 3 1

Total 33 18 9