Foot qì sore

Also foot damp qì; fetid water snail; eroding foot; foot rot; Hongkong foot; athlete’s foot. A condition of the toes attributed to damp-heat pouring downward and contact with damp toxin characterized in the initial stage by water vesicles and itching between the toes and in later stages by scaling, crusting, and erosion. Foot qì sores may also give off a strange smell, which accounts for the alternate name fetid water snail. They are common in people who live or work in damp or wet environments they are prevalent in hot humid climates (as is reflected in the now popular name 香港脚 xiāng gǎng jiǎo, Hongkong foot).

Biomedical correspondence: tinea pedis; athlete’s foot.

Medicinal therapy: Oral: Use Fish Poison Yam Dampness-Percolating Decoction (萆薢渗湿汤 bì xiè shèn shī tāng). If painful and swollen, it can be treated with Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction (黄连解毒汤 huáng lián jiě dú tāng). Topical: Apply Six-to-One Powder (六一散 liù yī sǎn) or calcined alum (Alumen Dehydratum, 枯矾 kū fán). Vinegar Soaking Formula (醋泡方 cù pào fāng) may also be used (see goose-foot wind).

Acumoxatherapy: Pole ouch points (阿是穴 ā shì xué), 30–60 minutes a day, and needle with drainage at Eight Winds (八风 bā fēng), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), and BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains, 昆仑 kūn lún).

For pronounced damp-heat pouring downward, add SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán) and GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears, 足临泣 zú lín qì).

Note: Another form of foot qì sore, also called foot lichen (jiǎo xiǎn), is characterized by dryness and itching, thickening, peeling, and in cold weather cracking of the skin.