Gān of the nose

A disease characterized by redness, itching, and sores of the nose spreading to the lips associated with copious yellow snivel (nasal mucus), dry skin and hair, dry skin, and tidal heat in the extremities. Gān of the nose is attributed to accumulated upper burner heat scorching and congesting in the lung. In some cases, attributable to damp-heat heat, the sides of the nose are purple, ulcerated, exude pus; they are itchy but not painful.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and cool the blood with formulas such as Five Happinesses Toxin-Transforming Elixir (五福化毒丹 wǔ fú huà dú dān). Damp-heat is treated by clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness with Red-Abducting Powder (导赤散 dǎo chì sǎn) plus gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus, 山栀子 shān zhī zǐ) and alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma, 泽泻 zé xiè). Indigo Powder (青黛散 qīng dài sǎn) can be applied topically.