Main ClinicChronic Skin Conditions
PSORIASIS
Psoriasis
Are the white flakes you left alone because they were not itchy spreading more and more?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that repeatedly worsens and improves. Before it spreads over a wider area, we look for the cause and manage immunity and circulation together.
of Hoechundang care
- POINT 01
Before the area spreads, 4 constitution and immunity tests to find the cause from the early stage
- POINT 02
Managing inflammation and waste products in the body with customized herbal medicine and skin detox herbal medicine decocted daily in our clinic
- POINT 03
Combining phototherapy, Korean herbal topical preparations, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and bloodletting therapy to help skin regeneration
01SELF CHECK
Are you concerned about these symptoms?
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02WHY IT HAPPENS
What kind of condition is psoriasis?
Psoriasis (乾癬) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which clearly bordered red papules (丘疹, small raised rashes) and plaques form, covered with silvery-white scales (flakes). Keratinocytes build up in layers, making the skin gradually thicker, and it tends to occur mainly on the outer areas of the skin. It is generally more common in adults after their 20s and does not spread to other people.
It may be a signal from your body
Psoriasis may be a sign of an issue somewhere in the body or reduced immune function. That is why we look not only at the skin, but also at the whole body from a broad perspective when making a treatment plan.
- 01
Causes of Onset
Based on genetic factors, lifestyle and environmental factors are considered triggers, and an immune response is thought to increase keratin-forming cells and cause inflammation.
- 02
Aggravating Factors
Known factors include skin injury, infection, cold and dry climate, dry skin, stress, and medications.
- 03
Regardless of Season
It is known to be more common in the colder, drier seasons of spring, fall, and winter, but as indoor temperature and humidity are controlled, the number of patients is increasing regardless of season.
- 04
Characteristic Signs of Psoriasis
These include the Auspitz sign, in which pinpoint bleeding occurs when scales are scratched off, and the Koebner phenomenon, in which new psoriasis develops at the wound where scales were removed.
03WHY TREAT EARLY
If it is left alone because there are no symptoms, treatment may take longer
In the early stage, psoriasis may not look severe and may have little to no itching, pain, or heat sensation, so many people just live with it. Then they often come to the clinic only after the affected area has spread and is covered with white scales (鱗屑, scale-like flakes). One reason treatment can take longer is missing early treatment.
PROCESS
How Care Proceeds
- 01
Consultation · Pulse Diagnosis
We listen carefully to your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and treatment history, then assess your condition through pulse and tongue diagnosis.
- 02
Detailed Testing
We check organ function, energy level, and autonomic nervous system balance with tests suited to your condition.
- 03
Pattern Identification · Diagnosis
We combine your test results and constitution to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.
- 04
1:1 Customized Prescription
We design the needed treatments for each person, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and moxibustion.
- 05
Progress Management
We monitor your progress through regular tests and consultations and adjust prescriptions as needed.
04DIAGNOSIS
These tests are used in psoriasis care
We assess whether your skin immunity is constitutionally weak, whether metabolism and circulation have declined, and whether inflammation and waste products in the body or autonomic nervous system imbalance are affecting your symptoms. We review these findings together, create a treatment plan, and then begin treatment.
TEST 01Iris Genetic Constitution Test
We comprehensively identify genetic strengths and weaknesses, constitutional imbalance, and autonomic nervous system balance. We look for constitutional vulnerabilities and imbalances in immunity, detoxification, and metabolism, and reflect them in the prescription. The test can be done while wearing contact lenses.
- TEST 02
Ryodoraku Meridian Function Test
At the main acupuncture points on the hands and feet, we assess abnormalities in organ function, overall vitality, and the deficiency or excess (虛實) pattern of the illness. If your vitality is very low, we treat this area together from the start.
TEST 03Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Autonomic Nervous System Test
We check the activity and balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Because psoriasis is affected by psychological factors, stress, and tension, stabilizing autonomic nervous system regulation is important.
TEST 04Cellular Health Immunity Test (InBody S10)
We measure cellular function, immune and nutritional status, body water, body fat, and muscle loss to check your overall health status.
When you visit, bringing previous test results such as blood tests and allergy tests, along with any medications you are taking, can help us provide more thorough care.
05TREATMENT
Psoriasis treatment proceeds as follows
Rather than depending on steroids, we treat in a direction that reduces recurrence. Depending on your condition, we combine herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, bloodletting therapy, phototherapy, topical preparations, and dietary and lifestyle management.
Treatment goals
- 01
Restoring Reduced Immunity
When immunity is reduced, symptoms last longer and recovery is slower. We strengthen the spleen and stomach (脾胃) and build self-healing capacity to develop the strength to overcome psoriasis.
- 02
Managing Latent Inflammation
Even when blood tests are normal, inflammation in the body often remains. We work to reduce inflammation by looking at circulation, hormones and metabolism, and gut health.
- 03
Waste Product Elimination
If waste products built up through eating habits are not eliminated well, they can lead to skin inflammation, so detoxification is used to help blood circulation and elimination.
One-on-One Personalized Herbal Medicine
We prescribe by considering constitution, current situation, severity of symptoms, duration of illness, and lifestyle habits together. We use therapeutic herbal medicine to lessen the causes, as well as herbal medicine that helps raise immunity so later management becomes easier.
Skin Detox Herbal Medicine
We prescribe this for people whose waste products in the body negatively affect the skin. It is decocted (湯煎, boiling herbal medicine) daily at our in-house Herbal Medicine Research Lab and prepared so it can be prescribed right away, and it is also used for maintenance care after treatment.
Phototherapy
Using ultraviolet light, this treatment helps regenerate healthy skin cells and builds the skin’s self-healing capacity.
Acupuncture · Moxibustion · Cupping (Bloodletting) · Pharmacopuncture
Acupuncture and moxibustion help improve constitution, support qi and blood (氣血) circulation, and activate immunity. When needed, cupping is used to remove stagnant blood stasis, and heat-clearing detoxifying (淸熱解毒) pharmacopuncture is used to calm skin heat sensation and inflammation.
Korean Herbal Topical Preparations
Ointments prepared with herbal ingredients are applied to lesions to reduce skin symptoms such as itching. It is best not to forcibly remove scales.
- Jaungo and Jaungo cream — representative Korean herbal ointments made with Lithospermum root, Angelica root, Sophora root, and other herbs, helping soothe, regenerate, and moisturize the skin.
- Ilhwanggo — a cooling-feeling ointment made with Angelica dahurica root, Dictamnus root bark, mint, Houttuynia cordata, and other herbs, focused on reducing inflammation and itching.
- Cheongyeolgo — made with Scutellaria root, Coptis rhizome, Phellodendron bark, Gardenia fruit, and other herbs, and prescribed when inflammation causes itching or oozing.
Home Care · Lifestyle Management
We prescribe herbal ointments and creams and organic aroma oil sprays for use at home. We also guide lifestyle management to reduce aggravating factors such as skin injury, dryness, and stress.
CONSULTATION
Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing
If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.
06EXPERTISE
We look for the internal medical causes behind skin symptoms
Intractable skin disease clinic, paper on Jaungo for radiation dermatitis
4th-Generation Korean Medicine Doctor · Korean Medicine Internal Medicine Specialist
Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director
- Specialist Training, Korean Medicine Cancer Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong
- Training at a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital (Joslin Diabetes Center)
- Training at the Block Center (Integrative Cancer Center, USA)
- Researcher in the Development of Korean Medicine Standard Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cancer Symptom Relief
SkinDigestive SystemDiabetes · MetabolismConstitutional Immunity & CancerPain · Traffic Accidents
- Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director, a Korean internal medicine specialist, provides care at the intractable skin conditions clinic.
- Psoriasis develops when lifestyle factors overlap with organ imbalance and reduced immunity. We focus on improving the overall condition of the body by assessing the liver, stomach, intestines, and large intestine as well.
- Based on training experience at a Harvard Medical School-affiliated research center, we provide Korean medicine treatment, lifestyle correction, and home care education together.
Related research
Efficacy and safety of Jaungo, traditional medicinal ointment, on radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer: a prospective, randomized controlled, single blinded, pilot study
This is a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Korean herbal ointment Jaungo for radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. It is not a study on psoriasis, but on the topical preparation (Jaungo) on this page, and the original page does not include numerical results.
These are research findings reported in academic papers and do not guarantee individual treatment effects.
WHY HOECHUNDANG
Why Choose Hoechundang Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
- 01
For 4 Generations Since 1904
For 4 generations, we have carried on Hoechundang’s treatment principle of seeing the stomach and intestines as the foundation of health.
- 02
Family Medical Team from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, who twice served as director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and as a presidential physician; Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director, a Korean medicine internal medicine specialist; and Dr. Seungwon Baek, Director, first author of an SCI-level paper on women’s health, provide care together.
- 03
Prepared In-House at Our Herbal Medicine Research Lab
Based on the research of our affiliated Herbal Medicine Research Institute, we prepare prescriptions in-house and use verified herbal ingredients at a level supplied to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital.
- 04
15 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment Rooms
We expanded our treatment rooms so patients can receive a variety of treatments, such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Cupping, large moxibustion, radiofrequency, thermal dome therapy, Chuna Manual Therapy, and traction therapy, with minimal waiting.
07FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
QCan psoriasis spread to other people?
No, it is not contagious. However, because its visible appearance is distinctive, many people experience emotional distress due to others’ stares or misunderstandings.
QIt does not itch or hurt. Do I still need treatment?
Many people leave psoriasis alone in the early stage when there are almost no symptoms and come to the clinic only after the affected area has spread. If early treatment is missed, the treatment period may become longer, so it is best to have the condition checked when you suspect it.
QIs it okay to remove the scales?
If you intentionally remove the scales, new psoriasis can develop at that wound site (Koebner phenomenon). Please do not force them off, and manage them using the method explained during your visit.
QWhy should I be careful about using steroids for a long time?
Steroids can help reduce immediate symptoms, but symptoms often recur when they are stopped. Long-term use can weaken skin tissue and may create a state in which psoriasis is more likely to spread even from small irritation to normal skin.
CONSULTATION
Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing
If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.
RELATED
Related Skin Conditions
- Chronic Skin ConditionsEczema (Nummular Eczema)Itchy, oozing eczema—does it come back when you stop medication?Learn more
- Chronic Skin ConditionsAdult Atopic DermatitisAtopic dermatitis that calms down and then flares again—can it keep recurring in adulthood?Learn more
- Chronic Skin ConditionsSeborrheic DermatitisIs seborrheic dermatitis, with itching and flaking on the face and scalp, coming back again?Learn more
- Chronic Skin ConditionsUrticariaUrticaria that settles down and then swells up again may be a signal from your bodyLearn more
RESERVATION
Psoriasis:
start with a consultation
Leave your details and we will contact you in order during clinic hours. First-time visitors are welcome — we start by carefully understanding your current condition.
+82-2-792-1904- Mon · Tue · Wed · Thu09:30 – 19:30
- Fri09:30 – 18:30
- Sat09:30 – 14:30 (open without a lunch break)
- LunchWeekdays 13:30 – 14:30