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Acupuncture for erysipelas of lower limbs: A case report
1Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Rationale:
Erysipelas of the lower limbs is a common acute infectious disease, with clinical manifestations of local skin redness, swelling and pain in the lower limbs, and reports of the use of acupuncture alone for treatment are rare. We report a case of erysipelas of lower limbs that was successfully treated with acupuncture.
Patient Concerns:
A 31-year-old male patient presented with pain in the right ankle, along with redness and swelling on the inner aspect of the right calf. Physical examination revealed erythema and swelling of the skin near the ankle. The skin temperature was slightly elevated and the patient experienced localized tenderness. In addition, the patient reported severe pain in the right ankle joint while standing upright. The patient had a history of tinea pedis with no evidence of insect bites or trauma. Local acupuncture treatment was administered, and after 3 sessions, the pain resolved, the swelling reduced, and the body temperature normalized.
Diagnoses:
We diagnosed the patient with erysipelas of the lower limb.
Interventions:
An acupuncture treatment plan was developed based on the patient's symptoms and diagnosis.
Outcomes:
Acupuncture significantly improved pain and swelling associated with erysipelas of the lower limbs.
Lessons:
Following acupuncture treatment, the patient's pain and local redness disappeared, suggesting that acupuncture may be effective in treating erysipelas of the lower limbs. However, owing to the limitations of this single, uncontrolled case study, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Further research into the use of acupuncture for treating lower limb erysipelas is warranted in the future. In addition, it is recommended that the patient continue standard treatment for tinea pedis to prevent the recurrence of lower limb erysipelas.
