Carbuncles Flashcards
What are carbuncles?
A cluster of furuncles that have several heads from which they drain.
What are the two types of carbuncles according to TCM?
Excess and deficiency.
What do excess type carbuncles look like?
Millet-size, pus filled heads with pain and swelling. Swelling may increase with more pustules and lesions become red and pain intensifies.
What is the TCM aetiology of excess carbuncles?
Damp-heat toxins or wind-heat toxins leading to the stagnation of qi and blood.
What is the tx principle for excess carbuncles?
Clear heat and toxins, relieve swelling and nodules and invigorate blood and stop pain.
What formula can be used for excess carbuncles?
Xiang fang hou ming yin (sublime prescription for sustaining life).
What do deficiency type carbuncles look like?
Generally occur in the immunocompromised, they are very painful and do not suppurate easily. Discharge is thin and scanty.
What is the tx principle for deficiency carbuncles?
Nourish yin, generate fluids and clear heat and support the normal qi to expel pus.
What formula can be used for deficiency carbuncles?
Zhu ye huang qi tang.
What external txs can be used for carbuncles?
Jin huang san and san huang xi ji (same as furuncles).
