Also snake lice. A skin disease characterized by red macules, papules or plaque covered in scales. White crust affects the extensor surface of the limbs, especially the elbows, knees, and shins, or the scalp and trunk, often occurring symmetrically. It is attributed to wind-cold invading from outside and the consequent disturbance of provisioning and defense, or to wind-heat lying depressed in the skin for a long time and transforming into dryness.
Biomedical correspondence: psoriasis.
Medicinal therapy: Dispel wind and moisten dryness; clear heat and resolve toxin. Saposhnikovia Sage-Inspired Powder (防风通圣散fáng fēng tōng shèng sǎn) can be given as oral medication. Apply Oxhide Lichen Medicinal Paste (牛皮癣药膏niú pí xiǎn yào gāo).
Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LI, SP, and ouch points (阿是穴ā shì xué). Select LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and ouch points (阿是穴ā shì xué); needle with drainage. In addition, the affected areas (ouch points) can be tapped with a cutaneous needle and cupped. They can be needled transversely from several points on the periphery toward the disease focus. Selecting supporting points according to affected area: For the head, add LI-20 (Welcome Fragrance, 迎香 yíng xiāng), GV-25 (White Bone-Hole, 素髎 sù liáo), TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu), and GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí). For the upper limbs, add GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí), TB-5 (Outer Pass, 外关 wài guān), and TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu). For the lower limbs, add ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ).
Point selection according to signs: For pronounced itching, add Itch Reliever (止痒zhǐ yǎng) and GB-31 (Wind Market, 风巿 fēng shì). For blood dryness engendering wind, add BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù) and BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport, 胆俞 dǎn shù). If the condition has been treated for a long time without success, prick the veins behind the ears to let 1–3 drops of blood.