Herpes

This Viral infection is characterized by one or more clusters of small vesicles filled with clear fluid on a slightly raised inflamed base. They are usually found on the junction of the skin around mucus membranes (eye lids, corners of mouth, nose, external genitalia). Break outs are more common during or after febrile diseases. Breakouts usually start with a slight tingling or itching discomfort on the future infected site. Once eruptions occur a burning pain accompanies them for a few days before healing begins taking 8 - 12 days.

Differentiation:

Herpes Zoster - same virus but eruptions break out along a nerve fibre usually around the hypochondriac region. Between grouped eruptions normal skin color may be present.
Pyogenic Infection - Pus is discharged from infections, not watery discharge

Treatment of Herpes Simplex
 

INTERNAL
Wind Heat - Xing Yi Qing Fei Yin
Damp Heat - Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Middle Jiao Heat - Ju Ye Shi Gao Tang
(usually more recurring)
Yin Deficiency with Deficiency Fire - Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
(chronic slow difficult healing)

EXTERNAL
Ma Chi Xian - boil 30g. for 15 minutes, then dissolve 10g. Bing Pian and let cool. Apply with cloth on effected area
Powders - Qing Dai
- Jing Huang Gao

She Chuan Chuang - Varicella-Zoster Virus
Clusters of vesicular eruptions along a ganglia root most commonly found in the hypochondriac regions but also in other areas like the head, face and abdomen. The future eruption site will have pain 2-3 days prior to the eruptions. Once the eruptions arises crops of vesicles appear following one or more nerve fibers (dermatomes). The rash is accompanied by a debilitating pain which will last the 1-2 week duration of the blisters and can continue for months and in some cases even years.
TCM - Damp Heat or Toxic Pathogenic Invasion

Herbal Treatment

INTERNAL
 

Toxic Heat - acute-red, painful, blisters, fever
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang + Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Accumulation of Dampness - Blister size is large and various sizes
Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang
Qi and Blood Stagnation - late stage, dry skin with pain and flaking of old blisters
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
 

EXTERNAL
 

Cream - 1st stage - Yu Lu Gao
2nd stage - Jing Huang Gao - break big blisters to relieve discomfort
Always keep area clean and dry and avoid spicy, pungent, greasy, sweat foods.

 Acupuncture treatment

Firstly, the head and the tail of the location of herpes zoster should be distinguished. The area where the skin lesions first appeared is considered as the tail, while the extending part of herpes as the head of its locality. Prick the skin around herpes zoster with a three - edged needle to cause a little bleeding: five pricks at 0. 5 cun from the head of the herpes zoster area and then five pricks at 0. 5 cun from the tail, and also several pricks along both sides. Then select LI11, SP10, BL40, GB34, LR3.

Explanation: Pricking the skin around herpes zoster with a three - edged needle to cause bleeding is to reduce the pathogenic toxin. LI11 dispels wind and clears off heat. SP10 and BL40 eliminate heat in the blood. GB34 and LR3 reduce damp heat from the liver and gallbladder.

Stagnated Heat in the Liver meridian

bright red with distended pain
P/T – expel Wind/Heat, purge Liver and Gallbladde
Acupuncture:
• Shaoyang, Jueyin, Hua Tou Jia Ji (at corresponding nerves areas), TH5, LR2, LR3, LR8, GB43,  SP10, puncture around affected area very 2 cun, *leave needles in patient for one to two hours
• irritable: HT 7, MH4 (Xi-cleft)
• constipation: TH6
• face/neck eruptions: LI4, GB20

Damp/Heat in Spleen meridian

P/T – purge Heat, detoxify, eliminate Damp
Acupuncture: Hua Tou Jia Ji, local, SP6, SP9, SP10, ST44
• Heat- LI11, DU14
• poor appetite- RN12, ST25

Chronic (Blood Stasis)

after eruptions are gone although pain still resides
Acupuncture – ashi points, corresponding meridians (i.e. hypochondria region- Shaoyang points), back Shu, cupping, moxa

Alternative Treatment Methods

auricular- Shenmen, subcortex, LU, LR, GB, ST
7 star- around local, Hua Tou Jia Ji, strong stimulation, bleed slightly 2 times per day
electrical- 2 pairs of needles surrounding the affected area, stimulate around area not across, medium strength