An unexpected visitor - “epidemic rash”
The COVID-19 epidemic continues to ravage the world and disturb our daily lives. Not only does it affect the global economy and change everyone’s life and workstyle, but it also affects our physical and mental health. After nearly two years of a silent war against the epidemic and the promotion of vaccination, the epidemic seems to be at a turning point.
Everyone seems to have been adapted to and accepted the new way of getting along with the epidemic, and no longer “fear the epidemic”; or we think that after we get vaccinated, we will have antibodies to protect us from the virus. However, who could have predicted that a special “product of the epidemic era” would quietly arise and lurk in our bodies?
It is the “rash” - the “epidemic rash”. This type of “rash” is a side effect of the coronavirus vaccine, similar to allergies, eczema, rubella, measles, hives, chicken pox or shingles. For the time being, there seems to be no accurate answer, and it is up to the medical professionals to investigate.
Here I would like to share my experience of fighting the rash. It’s just for your reference**. Some of my friends also experienced the rash after the vaccination, but the timing and symptoms of the rash varied from person to person. So was the treatment and recovery period.** It took me about 3 months after the vaccination to get this “rash”.
A Friendly Reminder
If you have this kind of “rash” symptom, please seek medical attention immediately. Follow the doctor’s instructions and cooperate with the treatment for early recovery. Remember there is an old saying: “A disease should be treated when symptoms are still very light, and let a disease untreated is like watching a tiger growing up.”
Seek prompt medical attention for “epidemic rash”
On September 27, 2021, which was a Monday afternoon, I felt a little bit itchy on my back and didn’t pay much attention to it. After midnight, I felt that my whole spine and shoulders were hot, and my back was covered with a thick red rash. The itch was unbearable and I couldn’t sleep, but fortunately, I didn’t have a fever.
In the morning of September 28, I immediately contacted Dr. Yang and received medical treatment from him. Within 4 days, I was almost fully recovered and the rash was all gone.
Physical, mental and dietary adjustments
I think when dealing with any illness, the first and foremost thing to do is to calm your mind. As mental health directly affects physical health, it is important to keep a positive mindset when being sick. Secondly, it is important to adjust the body through diet and exercise, so that a strong and healthy body can resist the disease.
Adjust your diet according to Dr. Yang’s medical advice
- Eat light. Do not eat seafood, shrimp, crab, and eat less meat. (Remark: I am a vegetarian.)
- Do not eat cold and raw food: apples, bananas, pears, and oranges. Above food must be stewed and served hot.
- Eat some medically mild food: tomatoes, fungus, dark green vegetables/cauliflower; drink warm water/soup, and take ginger soup when needed.
- Do not eat spicy and greasy food. Drink as much warm water as possible after moxibustion.
Physical exercises generate Yang of one’s body
During the treatment of “epidemic rash”, I was severely sleep-deprived, and I felt very tired and wanted to sleep during the day. However, I continued to do appropriate indoor exercises in the morning and in the evening. Such as BaDuanJin Qigong, shaking hands at least 200 times, vertical jumping 70-100 times, squatting and standing up at least 50 times, etc. I tried not to do outdoor activities and avoid the wind.
Every time after these exercises, my whole body felt warm and hot. This is the so-called “movement can produce Yang”. I think these exercises can improve our blood circulation and inject some natural heat energy into the body. With the proper heat, it boosts our metabolism and helps our body to recover.
Commonalities and differences in rashes
Commonality: Sleepless “rash” - The rash is active during the second half of the night, and is particularly itchy and disruptive to sleep.
Differences: Wandering “rash” - The rash wanders and stays in various parts of the body with different symptoms.
My 4-day anti-rash record
Day 1
Tuesday, September 1
Neck rash ⬆️
Rash on arms ⬆️
Rash on the outside of legs⬆️
Rash on the inner side of legs ⬆️
Symptoms: Red, itchy, and hot rashes appear around the neck, on the back, and on both sides of arms and legs.
Don’t: wash with cold water or scratch with fingers.
Moxibustion alternatively: Mingmen, Dazhui, and Taixi acupoints on the inner side of angles.
Hot pack: Relieve itchiness with hot packs.
Night: Put a 45cmx30cm size red bean bag in the bed. Sleep with back on the bag.
Day 2
Wednesday, Sep 29
Recovered legs after treatment⬆️
Rash on the lower left side ⬆️
Rash on both knees⬆️
Symptoms: After taking two portions of herbal medicine, the rash on my legs disappeared. But it went to my chest, neck, next to my hairline on my neck, forehead, and both knees and stayed there. The rash on my knees was extremely hot.
Don’t: wash with cold water or scratch the itchy parts.
Moxibustion: Zusanli acupoint on the inner side of both legs.
Hot pack: Put a hot pack on the Dazhui acupoint.
Night: Put a 45cmx30cm size red bean bag on the bed. Sleep with back on the bean bag.
Day 3
Thursday, Sep 30
Rashes on the arms disappeared ⬆️
Symptoms: Rashes on the legs, neck, and arms disappeared. Both palms felt itchy. The back of both hands felt swelling. Rashes went to the back of hands, fingers, and belly.
Don’t: Wash with cold water or scratch the itchy parts.
Moxibustion alternately: both elbows, Shenque and Guanyuan acupoints on the belly.
Hot pack: Put a hot pack on the Dazhui point.
Night: Put a 45cmx30cm size red bean bag in the bed. Sleep with back on the bean bag.
Day 4
Friday, Oct 1
Symptoms: rashes are almost all gone. I am recovering.
Continue to do hot pack on these acupoints: Mingmen, Dazhui, Shenque, Guanyuan.
Clapping with hands: 150 times on both elbows.
Sharing: Kind heart with kind approach
As everyone may have different symptoms and different body conditions, same treatment methods may have different effects and take different time to recover for each person. We must know our own body, adjust ourselves in all aspects, follow the doctor’s medical advice and cooperate in the treatment to achieve the best results.
The fact that my rashes went away and I fully recovered in a very short period of time is due to Doctor Yang’s timely treatment and valuable advice. The best description of Doctor Yang is a doctor with kind heart and kind treatment approach. May all the people in the world be safe and healthy! May all beings in the world live in harmony!
Oct 4th, 2021 in Toronto
