A Case of Chronic Pityriasis Lichenoides with Cholinergic Urticaria Improved by Mahwang-tang

Article information

J Korean Med. 2025;46(3):150-160

Publication date (electronic) : 2025 September 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25040

Ju-Hyun Lee ¹

, Eun-Heui Jo ²^,³^,

, Min-Cheol Park ³^,⁴^,

¹Department of Medical Support, Imsil-gun Medical Center

²Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital

³Research Center of Traditional Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University

⁴Department of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital

Corresponding author: Eun-Heui Jo, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 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

Corresponding author: 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

Received 2025 April 30; Revised 2025 June 24; Accepted 2025 August 12.

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to report a case of chronic pityriasis lichenoides with cholinergic urticaria improved by Mahwang-tang.

Methods

The patient visited our hospital with symptoms such as redness, erythema, papule, pruritus and stinging sensation all over the body. The patient was diagnosed with chronic pityriasis lichenoides with cholinergic urticaria based on the aggravating factors and symptom patterns. Considering the patient’s condition and symptoms, Mahwang-tang was prescribed.

Results

Skin symptoms improved by half (Total Score 10 → 5). Pruritus (NRS 7 → 1) and stinging sensation (NRS 7 → 0) almost disappeared, and sleep quality also improved (NRS 4 → 0). Liver function values (AST 46, ALT 64), which were high at the first visit, also improved. The patient started to sweat more and lost about 4 kg while taking Mahwang-tang.

Conclusion

This study is significant in that the patient’s skin symptoms and overall condition improved after administration of Mahwang-tang.

Keywords: Case Report; Pityriasis Lichenoides; Cholinergic Urticaria; Mahwang-tang

Fig. 1

Treatment Timeline

Fig. 2

Clinical Progress of Pityriasis Lichenoides with Cholinergic Urticaria (1)

Fig. 3

Clinical Progress of Pityriasis Lichenoides with Cholinergic Urticaria (2)

Fig. 4

Clinical Progress of Pityriasis Lichenoides with Cholinergic Urticaria (3)

Table 1

Systematic Examination

Table 2

Symptom Evaluation Index

Table 3

Prescription of Mahwang-tang

Table 4

Symptom Progress of Pityriasis Lichenoides with Cholinergic Urticaria

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