bubble_chart Concept

Red thread migration refers to the appearance of a longitudinal red thread on the inner side of the forearm or lower leg, which spreads towards the proximal end of the limb. In the upper limbs, it often stops at the elbow or armpit; in the lower limbs, it often stops at the popliteal fossa or groin. Occasionally, red thread migration can also occur on the lips, and if the red thread enters the throat, it becomes difficult to treat.

This condition is a type of boil and sore, also known as red-streaked furuncle, blood-thread boil and sore, or red-line boil and sore. Waike Dacheng Although the red thread sore described in Waike Dacheng differs in symptoms from red thread migration, the curative methods are the same.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Toxic Heat Stagnation︰The red threads are finer, with distal ulceration or redness, swelling, heat, and pain, without systemic symptoms. $ Toxic heat stagnation causing red thread migration and exuberant fire toxin causing red thread migration! Both are caused by the pathogenic factor of fiery heat toxin, but their disease causes differ. Toxic heat stagnation mostly arises from exposure to seasonal epidemic qi or insect bites, which become infected after scratching, allowing the toxic qi to lodge in the muscles. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, and Five-Ingredient Toxin-Eliminating Decoction can be used. Exuberant fire toxin results from indulging in rich, fatty, or spicy foods, alcohol, and fried or grilled dishes, leading to heat accumulation in the zang-fu organs, the binding and gathering of fire toxin, and steaming of the skin, causing qi and blood stagnation. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, and Coptis Detoxification Decoction with Bamboo Leaf, Gypsum, and Forsythia can be used.
2. Exuberant Fire Toxin︰The red streaks are thick, accompanied by aversion to cold with fever, headache, poor appetite, general weakness, yellow tongue coating, and rapid pulse. $毒 heat stagnation 滯 red streaks spreading and fire toxin 炽盛 red streaks spreading! Both are caused by the disease of fiery toxin, but their disease causes differ. 毒 heat stagnation 滯 is mostly due to exposure to seasonal epidemic qi; or insect bites, which become infected after scratching, allowing the toxin to invade the muscles. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, and Five-Ingredient Toxin-Eliminating Decoction can be used. Fire toxin 炽盛 results from excessive consumption of rich, fatty, spicy, and fried foods, as well as alcohol, leading to heat accumulation in the zang-fu organs, the aggregation of fire toxin, and steaming of the skin, causing stagnation of qi and blood. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, and Coptis Detoxification Decoction with added Bamboo Leaf, Gypsum, and Forsythia can be used.
3. Toxin Entering the Blood Level︰Seven to ten days after the onset of a red-streaked furuncle, the red streaks gradually spread toward the trunk, accompanied by shivering, high fever, headache, chest tightness, dysphoria, nausea, vomiting, a stiff tongue and dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, a crimson tongue texture, yellow and rough coating, and a surging-rapid or wiry-slippery pulse. This occurs due to toxic heat stagnation and excessive fire toxin, causing the red streaks to spread unchecked due to inadequate treatment; or due to squeezing or trauma, leading to the diffusion of pathogenic toxins; or mistakenly consuming pungent and hot medications, further intensifying the fire, resulting in rampant fire toxin. When the body's vital qi cannot overcome the pathogen, the boil and sore toxins disperse into the blood aspect, internally attacking the zang-fu organs. Immediate treatment involves cooling the blood, clearing heat, and removing toxins. Formulas such as Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction, Coptis Detoxification Decoction, and Five-Ingredient Toxin-Eliminating Decoction may be used in combination.

For all three types of red streaks, Golden Yellow Powder, Double Yellow Powder can be used, or a knife tip or Sparganium Rhizome needle can be used to sever the red streaks inch by inch along their path. Gently pinch the skin around the punctured area with the thumb and forefinger to induce bleeding and detoxification, achieving rapid results.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bianzheng Lu-Boils: "Generally, when a boil appears on the foot, a red line will travel from the foot to the navel; when it appears on the hand, the red line will travel from the hand to the heart; when it appears on the lips or face, the red line will travel from the lips to the throat. If such a red thread is observed, use a needle to prick the end of the red line and draw out the toxic blood to prevent the poison from attacking the heart..."