Oxhide lichen

An episodic skin disease characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin that gives it the appearance of the skin of an ox’s neck. Oxhide lichen starts with itching, the appearance of irregular flat papules, and in some cases browning of the skin. Subsequently, the papules coalesce and the skin becomes dry and hard with sores that weep and that are itchy, especially at night. It is attributed to wind-damp-heat toxin depressed in the skin or to insufficiency of provisioning-blood and blood vacuity engendering wind and depriving the skin of nourishment. It is often associated with emotional disturbances.

Biomedical correspondence: neurodermatitis.

Medicinal therapy: Quicken the blood and course wind; clear heat and dispel dampness. Oral: Chinese Angelica Drink (当归饮子 dāng guī yǐn zi). Topical: Ill-Wind Oil Paste (疯油膏 fēng yóu gāo).

Acumoxatherapy: Select ouch points (阿是穴 ā shì xué), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù), BL-12 (Wind Gate, 风门 fēng mén), BL-40 (Bend Center, 委中 wěi zhōng), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo). Needle with drainage. Tap and cup the ouch points to bring out the depressed heat in the blood aspect. The affected area can be needled obliquely from all sides toward the center. For pronounced itching, add Itch Reliever (止痒 zhǐ yǎng).

See lichen.