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Heaven-borne blisters

天泡疮 〔天泡瘡〕 tiān pào chuāng

A disease characterized by blisters.

Biomedical correspondence: pemphigus. Two types are identified.

1. A disease of sudden onset occurring in summer or autumn, marked by blisters on the head, limbs, and body, easily affecting children. The blisters are clearly demarcated and have shiny skin. They are white at the tip and red at the root. When ruptured, they exude fluid, spread quicklyand are infectious. This form of heaven-borne blisters arise when summerheat-damp invades the lung channel and lies depressed in the skin.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and disinhibit dampness. Use formulas such as Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction (黄连解毒汤 huáng lián jiě dú tāng).

2. A nonseasonal disease slow in development and which is not infectious, marked by thin-walled blisters of different sizes that are red at the root and which exude fluid when they burst. It is accompanied by general signs such as prolonged heat effusion, oppression in the chest, and torpid stomach. In persistent cases, there may be yīn vacuity signs such as steaming bone tidal heat, smooth bare red tongue, and rapid fine pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Use Spleen-Clearing Dampness-Eliminating Beverage (清脾除湿饮 qīng pí chú shī yǐn). If there is damage to yīn, use Stomach-Boosting Decoction (益胃汤 yì wèi tāng). Topical: Wash with licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix, 甘草 gān cǎo) water.

Etymology

Chinese:tiān, heaven; weather; season; nature; 泡 pào, blister; 疮 chuāng, sore.

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