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Before the measles rash has not yet erupted, if exposed to wind-cold, it causes the child's skin to become dry and the couli (skin pores and interstices) to close tightly. Consequently, the measles toxin cannot be vented outward. At the critical moment when the rash is about to emerge, if suddenly touched by wind-cold, the rash that has just appeared will retract. After the rash has retracted, if precautions are not observed, the residual toxins will be difficult to clear completely, leading to infinite variations of symptoms. In mild cases, the disease lingers for a long time, resulting in chronic cough and phlegm disorders that may never heal throughout life; in severe cases, it inevitably transforms into critical conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to strictly avoid wind-cold throughout the entire course.

Measles essentially involves fire-heat pathogenic factors. From the onset of fever until the day the rash fully erupts, thirst and irritability are inevitable, so children often crave cold foods. However, although consuming cold foods seems harmless, raw and cold foods must always be avoided. Even after the rash has fully emerged on the exterior, only small amounts of cooling foods such as Dioscorea esculenta (Chinese yam), Nelumbinis Rhizoma (Lotus Root), and Dioscorea opposita (Water Chestnut) or dried persimmons can be consumed, and one must not indulge. Fruits such as peaches, plums, mume fruits, citrus fruits, pomegranates, and water caltrops are strictly contraindicated.

Children with measles have a strong preference for spicy flavors and hot soups or water. This is because measles belongs to fire-heat pathogens; when fire-heat is trapped internally, spicy and hot foods temporarily relieve the sensation of phlegm-fire, hence the craving. If, due to their intense desire, parents provide decoctions made of Piperis Fructus (Black Pepper) and Cornus Officinalis Fruit (Cornelian Cherry), or offer strong wine, ginger, garlic, leeks, and Allium tuberosum var. ramosum (Chinese Chives/Leeks), indulging their desires, they may feel temporarily comfortable. However, over time, this exacerbates phlegm-fire, causing the rash to turn purple-black, or leading to constipation of both bowels and urine, or bloody dysentery with rectal prolapse, or dental gangrene, or cracking of lips and tongue, or rattling phlegm in the throat, or bleeding from the five orifices, or unceasing high fever. This intensifies stomach-fire, causing vomiting immediately after eating and inability to retain food. Various ominous signs arise from these causes. Since dietary intake must avoid spicy flavors, it goes without saying that medicinal prescriptions must also avoid spicy ingredients.

Regarding measles syndromes, meats such as horse, cattle, pig, sheep, goose, duck, and fishy-flavored items, as well as salt, vinegar, sweet substances, wheat-based noodles, the "Five Pungents" (Wuxin: typically referring to pungent vegetables like scallion, garlic, chive, etc.), and gas-stagnating fried foods, must not be consumed until forty-nine days after the measles rash has completely receded. A bland diet is preferred to prevent future complications. Otherwise, consuming salt too early induces coughing; consuming the Five Pungents too early generates convulsions and heat; consuming meat and fish too early inevitably produces strange pathological changes. One must exercise extreme caution.