Objective: This study aimed to report the improvement in a patient with allergic contact dermatitis treated with Sihogyeji-tang based on the Shanghanlun disease pattern identification diagnostic system (DPIDS).

Methods: According to the Shanghanlun DPIDS, the patient with allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed with greater yang disease chest bind (Shanghanlun provision 146), and was administered Sihogyeji-tang for 90 days. The results were evaluated using the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) and a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: After taking Sihogyeji-tang for 90 days, the DLQI decreased from 28 points to 8 points and the VAS decreased from 10 points to 3 points.

Conclusions: This case shows the potential of treatment through herbal medicine for allergic contact dermatitis using the Shanghanlun DPIDS.

Key words: Sihogyeji-tang, allergic contact dermatitis, Shanghanlun, disease pattern identification diagnostic system (DPIDS), greater yang disease chest bind