Suckling lichen

Also fetal lichen. A papular skin disease in infants affecting the head and face, and capable of spreading to other parts of the body. Suckling lichen is attributed to wind-heat-damp brewing in the skin. Distinction is made between dry and damp forms. The dry form, attributed to predominance of wind-heat, is characterized by red millet-like papules of differing density that scale on scratching, a lichen-like appearance, and absence of watery discharge. The damp form, attributed to a predominance of damp-heat, is characterized by itchy papules that when scratched exude water and spread, sometimes to cover most of the body.

Biomedical correspondence: infantile eczema (lactigo).

Medicinal therapy: The dry form is treated by clearing heat and dispelling wind, whereas the damp form is treated by clearing heat and dispelling dampness. Wind-Dispersing Red-Abducting Decoction (消风导赤汤 xiāo fēng dǎo chì tāng) or Five-Jewel Powder (五宝散 wǔ bǎo sǎn) can be used as oral medication for either. Apply Flesh-Moistening Paste (润肌膏 rùn jī gāo) to the dry form and Indigo Powder (青黛散 qīng dài sǎn) to the damp form.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on GV, SP, ST, LI, and GB. Main points: GV-14 (Great Hammer, 大椎 dà zhuī), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo); needle with drainage.

• For the dry form, add LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí) and GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí).
• For the damp form, add SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán).