Millet sore

1. Usually plural. Generalized eruption of papules like grains of millet, that are red in color, itchy, turn into sores when scratched, and over a long period can cause damage to the blood and cause the skin to become thick and rough like snake skin. They are attributed a condition of wind and fire contending with each other and binding in the skin that arises when exterior vacuity allows the contraction of wind evil in patients who have fire evil depressed in the inner body.

Biomedical correspondence: papular eczema; prurigo.

Medicinal therapy: Course wind and clear heat. Oral: Use Saposhnikovia Sage-Inspired Powder (防风通圣散 fáng fēng tōng shèng sǎn). Topical: Apply The Golden Mirror of Medicine (医宗金鑑 yī zōng jīn jiàn) formula Two-Ingredient Toxin-Drawing Powder (二味拔毒散 èr wèi bá dú sǎn), which consists of realgar (Realgar, 雄黄 xióng huáng) and alum (Alumen, 白矾 bái fán). If itching is severe, use Wind-Dispersing Powder (消风散 xiāo fēng sǎn). In enduring conditions, when the skin becomes like snake’s skin as a result of wear on the blood, take Gleditsia and Flavescent Sophora Pill (皂角苦参丸 zào jiǎo kǔ shēn wán).

2. Millet sore of the eye.