Glossary

瘡瘍, Chuang Yang is a generic term used to describe all conditions that appear on the surface of the body, particularly suppurative conditions caused by External Pathogens such as sores, boils and ulcers but can also refer to nodules, lumps and other lesions. Internal disharmony may also be a contributing factor but it is usually due to a disruption of Qi and Blood or disharmony of Ying and Wei that allows a pathogen to take hold. They are divided into Yang and Yin types depending on their presentation:

Yang Types: rapidly developing and changing, often red, painful and swollen but relatively superficial and heal quickly and easily. Yin Types: slower forming, harder nodules that are flatter, more deeply rooted and do not suppurate easily. These are generally harder to treat and slower to heal.

There may also be combined patterns, or the transformation of Yang into Yin or vice versa within the same patient. Treatment is generally separated into three stages:

Stage I: Before pus formation Dispersing methods to clear the pathogens from the Exterior while circulating underlying Qi and Blood and supporting the Interior. Stage II: Prior to pus breaking down, or when there is restricted drainage Methods to draw pus out are used. Stage III: After drainage Anti-pathogenic Qi is reinforced and underlying deficiencies are treated to ensure proper healing.

瘡瘍, Chuang Yang may also be divided into specific types with particular treatment methods. Some of these include:

Sores and blisters: 瘡, Chuang Ulcers: 瘍, Yang Boils: 疔, Ding Furuncles: 疖, Jie Abscesses and carbuncles: 癰, Yong Nodules: 核 He or 结 Jie Rash: 疹 Zhen Itching: 癢 Yang or 風, Feng (literally "Wind", the etiological factor behind itching) Ringworm: 癣 Xuan Acne: 粉刺, Fen Ci (literally "white powder thorns") Erysepilas: 丹毒, Dan Du (literally "Cinnbar Toxin") Scrofula: 瘰癧, Luo Li Breast lumps: 乳癖; Ru Pi Goiter: 瘿, Ying

For further information on specific conditions and their treatments please see:

Xu (2004): Dermatology in Traditional Chinese Medicine Shen, Wu & Wang (2007): Manual of Dermatology in Chinese Medicine Chen, Li & Han (2011): Chinese External Medicine