Erysipelas
Erysipelas, commonly known as "flow fire," is an acute inflammation of the skin and reticular lymphatic vessels. It results from infection by hemolytic streptococcus through minor wounds in the skin or mucous membranes, invading the dermal and mucosal lymphatic network. Erysipelas commonly occurs on the lower limbs and face, spreads rapidly, rarely causes tissue necrosis, and tends to recur.
Clinical Manifestations
Local symptoms: patchy erythematous rash with bright red color, paler center, well-defined borders slightly raised. Pressure with finger causes redness to fade, which quickly returns after release. As redness spreads outward, central redness fades and desquamates, turning brownish-yellow. Tinea pedis or filariasis may trigger recurrent lower limb erysipelas. Occasionally, it can cause subcutaneous lymphatic obstruction and proliferation, resulting in elephantiasis. Lymphadenopathy may also occur locally.
Systemic Symptoms: Severe cases may present headache, chills, and high fever.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment
Basis Formula: Scrophularia 15 g, Angelica 10 g, Honeysuckle 20 g, Licorice 6 g. For facial cases, add Arctium Fruit, Mulberry Leaf, Chrysanthemum; for thoracic-abdominal cases, add Bupleurum, Gentiana, Scutellaria, Curcuma; for lower limb cases, add Phellodendron, Poria, Red Adzuki Bean, Eucommia. Apply externally: 90 g of Isatis Root, 90 g of Alum, 5 g of Camphor, and crushed fresh Portulaca oleracea 90 g.