Located superficially on the skin and in the muscles |
Located deeply in the bones and tendons |
Localized conditions |
Skin turns red |
Normal or dark-purple skin color |
Protruding swelling |
Flat or collapsed swelling |
When newly formed, the area is firm but gradually turns soft after ulceration. |
When pressed, the area feels either solid or soft. |
Very painful |
Dull pain, soreness or no pain at all |
New tissue is red and tender. |
New tissue is darkish and purple in color |
Systemic conditions |
There are chills and fevers, thirst, constipation and yellowish urine in the initial stage. |
No obvious symptoms in the initial stage, but after the site becomes ulcerated, there may be virtual fire signs or signs that suggest that blood and qi are insufficient. |
Tongue and pulse observation |
The tongue is red and covered by yellow coating; the pulse is strong. |
The tongue is pale and covered by white coating; the pulse is weak. |