Herpes

Herpes Simplex – Herpes Simplex Virus – HSV

This Viral infection is characterized by one or more clusters of small vesicles filled with clear fluid on a slightly raised inflamed base. They are usually found on the junction of the skin around mucus membranes (eye lids, corners of mouth, nose, external genitalia). Break outs are more common during or after febrile diseases. Breakouts usually start with a slight tingling or itching discomfort on the future infected site. Once eruptions occur a burning pain accompanies them for a few days before healing begins taking 8 – 12 days.
Differentiation:
Herpes Zoster – same virus but eruptions break out along a nerve fibre usually around the hypochondriac region. Between grouped eruptions normal skin color may be present.
Pyogenic Infection – Pus is discharged from infections, not watery discharge

Chinese Medicine Treatment of Herpes Simplex:

INTERNAL

Wind Heat – Xing Yi Qing Fei Yin
Damp Heat – Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Middle Jiao Heat – Ju Ye Shi Gao Tang
(usually more recurring)
Yin Deficiency with Deficiency Fire – Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
(chronic slow difficult healing)

EXTERNAL

Ma Chi Xian – boil 30g. for 15 minutes, then dissolve 10g. Bing Pian and let cool. Apply with cloth on effected area
Powders – Qing Dai
– Jing Huang Gao

Herpes Zoster – Shingles

She Chuan Chuang – Varicella-Zoster Virus
Clusters of vesicular eruptions along a ganglia root most commonly found in the hypochondriac regions but also in other areas like the head, face and abdomen. The future eruption site will have pain 2-3 days prior to the eruptions. Once the eruptions arises crops of vesicles appear following one or more nerve fibers (dermatomes). The rash is accompanied by a debilitating pain which will last the 1-2 week duration of the blisters and can continue for months and in some cases even years.
TCM – Damp Heat or Toxic Pathogenic Invasion

Chinese Medicine Treatment Of Herpes Zoster, Shingles

INTERNAL

Toxic Heat – acute-red, painful, blisters, fever
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang + Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Accumulation of Dampness – Blister size is large and various sizes
Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang
Qi and Blood Stagnation – late stage, dry skin with pain and flaking of old blisters
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

EXTERNAL

Cream – 1st stage – Yu Lu Gao
2nd stage – Jing Huang Gao – break big blisters to relieve discomfort
Always keep area clean and dry and avoid spicy, pungent, greasy, sweat foods.