Treatment of One Case of Pediatric Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease with Spleen Dampness-Heat Syndrome Using Acupoint Application Therapy to Disperse Dampness, Expel Heat, and Unblock the Fu Organs

Abstract

The high incidence of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children, coupled with improper management, can lead to complications, causing significant distress to both patients and their parents. This article reports on the successful treatment of a case of HFMD with dampness-heat accumulation in the spleen type using a therapeutic approach of applying herbal patches to acupoints to disperse dampness, promote heat dissipation, and unblock the fu organs. The herbs selected primarily include honeysuckle, Forsythia, and mint to relieve the exterior and promote heat dissipation; Agastache and magnolia bark to transform and dry dampness; Scutellaria, blackberry lily, and licorice to clear heat, detoxify, and benefit the throat; and magnolia bark and bitter orange to unblock the fu organs and purge heat. The flexible combination of these herbs with acupoints such as Shenque, Zhongwan, Tiantu, and Feishu fully leverages the synergistic effects of both the herbs and acupoints, resulting in a significant therapeutic effect. This approach provides valuable insights and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of HFMD in children.