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A person, after experiencing body heat, finds that the temperature does not subside, and the entire body presents a red-purple color. This condition is called Huodan (Fire Erysipelas). People generally believe that the heat is located in the chest and diaphragm, little do they know that the heat actually resides in the skin. Huodan appears similar to Faban (Eruption of Spots), so why are there two distinct names? It is unknown that although the heat nature of both diseases is the same, their symptoms are indeed different.

Generally speaking, Faban manifests as an intermingling of red and white colors; whereas Huodan presents as the whole body being entirely red. Faban involves heat stagnating internally and erupting externally; Huodan involves heat stagnating externally and trending inward. Conditions erupting externally have the potential to dissipate day by day; conditions trending inward have the momentum to deepen day by day. Therefore, the syndrome of Faban is mild, while the disease of Huodan is severe. However, without knowing the method to extinguish fire, a mild case may not necessarily fail to transform into a severe one; conversely, if one knows the prescription to disperse stagnation, a severe case can also transform into a mild one. Thus, to treat Huodan, one should replenish the insufficiency of Yin water and disperse the excess of Fire, allowing the Fire to exit outward rather than attacking inward. The formula used is Xiaodan Yin (Eliminate Erysipelas Decoction): Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) (3 liang), Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) (2 qian), Mai Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis) (1 liang), Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi) (2 qian), Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Radix Glycyrrhizae) (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, the erysipelas resolves; a second dose is unnecessary.

This formula uses Xuan Shen to resolve floating fire, Mai Dong to nourish the Qi of Lung Metal, Jie Geng and Sheng Ma to disperse via the hair follicles, and Gan Cao to harmonize within the Zang-Fu organs and meridians, guiding the Fire to move outward, thereby achieving swift efficacy.

This syndrome can also be treated with Fangjie Tang (Saposhnikovia and Platycodon Decoction). Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) (1 qian), Mai Dong (1 liang), Xuan Shen (1 liang), Jie Geng (3 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Tian Hua Fen (Radix Trichosanthis) (2 qian), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) (2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Symptoms alleviate after one dose and resolve after two doses.

Some people suffer from Youfeng (Wandering Wind) presenting as red and white patches, moving unpredictably. This condition is most common in infants and children. It resembles Faban, but while Faban has a fixed root, Youfeng lacks a fixed color. People attribute this to Excess Fire of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), yet they fail to realize it is actually Stagnant Heat of the Stomach Fire. If Stomach Fire were not stagnant, it would inevitably lead to the disaster of Yang collapse due to excessive sweating. Precisely because the Fire is stagnant and cannot be vented, the heat remains internal rather than external. However, when Fire is abundant, it naturally tends to reach the exterior, but the exterior cannot immediately accommodate it. Consequently, eruptions may shift from one location to another, or change from white to red, resulting in no fixed manifestation. Regarding treatment, the primary approach should be clearing Heat, which necessitates cooling Blood. However, if Blood becomes too cold, it stagnates and fails to circulate. Although Blood can suppress Fire, it ultimately struggles to disperse it; therefore, one must promote Blood circulation to relieve Heat. The formula used is Qinghuo Xiaodan Tang (Clear Fire Eliminate Erysipelas Decoction): Sheng Di (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) (1 liang), Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) (3 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Xuan Shen (3 qian), Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) (2 qian), Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) (3 qian), Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) (2 qian), Tian Hua Fen (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After continuous administration for two doses, the erysipelas subsides; after two more doses, full recovery occurs.

This formula cools and invigorates Blood, clears and disperses Fire. It avoids the risk of excessive Cold and thus eliminates concerns of lingering Heat. Stagnation is easily opened, and Fire is easily discharged.

This syndrome can also be effectively treated with Jingjie Qufeng Tang (Schizonepeta Anti-Wind Decoction). Jing Jie (2 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparata) (5 fen), Mai Dong (5 fen), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) (3 qian), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae) (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Some people present with widespread spots that are yellowish-white, oozing fluid, causing intermittent pain. Over time, the skin ulcerates. People attribute this to Fire in the Heart and Liver meridians, yet they fail to recognize it as Damp-Heat of the Spleen and Lung. Huodan originally comprises two syndromes: Chihuodan (Red Fire Erysipelas) and Baihuodan (White Fire Erysipelas). Chidan features dry skin, while Bidan features moist skin. Chidan belongs to Heart-Liver Fire, while Bidan belongs to Spleen-Lung Dampness. However, when Heat stagnates in the skin and hair, the distinction between red/white and dry/moist becomes indistinguishable. Dampness typically enters from below, suggesting the pathology should reside in the lower body. Why does the upper body also develop yellow-white erysipelas? Because Spleen is the mother of Lung; when Spleen is diseased, the "child" (Lung) wishes to share the suffering with the "mother," dispersing dampness into the skin and hair. Fire follows and escapes outward. However, since Spleen disease does not cause immediate acute distress to the Lung, the Damp-Heat pathogen fears the robustness of Lung Qi and dares not excrete directly through the skin. Instead, it lingers within the skin, manifesting externally as yellow-white coloration. The treatment method involves promoting the drainage of Damp-Fluids and resolving the inflammation of Fire, allowing the pathogen to descend via the Bladder. There is no need to forcibly expel it from the skin. Since the abundance of Damp-Heat originates in the Spleen rather than the Lung, if the mother drives away the enemy, will not the child follow suit? Therefore, by eliminating Spleen Damp-Heat, the Damp-Heat in the Lung will dissipate spontaneously. The formula used is Chushi Zhudan Tang (Remove Dampness Expel Erysipelas Decoction): Fang Feng (3 fen), Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) (3 qian), Chi Fu Ling (Poria with Red Mycelium) (5 qian), Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) (5 fen), Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) (1 qian), Zhu Ling (Poria) (1 qian), Shan Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) (3 qian), Gan Cao (3 fen), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) (3 qian), Bo Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) (3 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. After continuous consumption for several doses, the erysipelas recedes and the patient recovers.

This formula focuses more on draining Water than dispersing Fire, because Dampness is heavy and difficult to eliminate; once Water is drained, Fire is easily eliminated.

This syndrome can also be effectively treated with Sangbai Fenjie San (Mulberry Bark Resolution Powder). Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) (2 liang), Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) (3 qian), Sheng Ma (1 qian), Tian Hua Fen (3 qian), Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori Radicis) (3 qian), Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.