Scarlet Fever in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different scarlet fever patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina or streptococcal scarlet fever, is an infectious disease marked by a bright red rash covering most of the body, a high fever, and a sore throat. The condition is caused by the same bacteria responsible for strep throat and can affect individuals of all ages, though it primarily occurs in children. The disease can be serious but is generally treatable with antibiotics.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, scarlet fever is understood through a holistic lens, considering the imbalance of internal energies rather than focusing solely on the infectious agent.
TCM recognizes that symptoms and diseases, including scarlet fever, are the result of disharmonies within the body's Qi, Yin, Yang, and Blood. Effective treatment in TCM thus depends on accurately identifying the underlying pattern of disharmony.
TCM Patterns for Scarlet Fever
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause scarlet fever
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
Diagnostic signs
Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Recommended herbal formulas
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Diagnostic signs
Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Scarlet Fever
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address scarlet fever