Shchin שחין

Shchin שחין is the Torah word for the condition known as eczema although shchin is broader in terms that it includes also a discoloring brought on by external sources such as boiling water.

Common roots are found in schin and eczema as they both in a sense mean excessive heat, this characterizes what on fact shchin is; an irritating skin condition with a reddish hue.  Although Shchin in itself is not an indicator of tumah, it may be a host for one of the four whites of tumah as well as a discolored white hair.

Potuch

Shchin can be a host for the se’eth and bahereth, and this introduces the potuch concept; the se’eth and bahereth bot indicate tumah when appearing in the shchin although they appear with a reddish tint -this is known as potuch. Although se’eth appearing with a reddish tint on shchin isn’t as common as the bahereth appearing in the shchin with a reddish tint, the se’eth is likewise tammei were it to make a reddish appearance in the shchin.

Even though they are both capable of making reddish appearances in the shchin, a standard white appearance in the shchin can occur – this may also indicate immediate tumah.

צרבת השחין

Of the possibilities that may occur on the shchin is a weak colored white spot (fainter then the minimal whiteness requirement) a hesger is required, if after seven days the white spot remained the same the Torah titles it צרבת השחין (an effect -lit. “Burnt effect”- of the eczema but not an actual nega affliction) and the afflicted is removed from quarantine as he is tahor.

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