Irritable Child

A 2-year-old girl is brought to the clinic with a tendency to skin rashes of a red, hot, itchy nature. Further investigation reveals that she has constant catarrhal problems and if ill tends to sudden high temperatures, often leading to earache.

She can be a very awkward and stubborn child. Here the skin rashes are set in context of the whole case and seen as the tip of the iceberg.

In Chinese terms, there is a fundamental weakness of the Kidneys, especially Kidney Yin, which allows heat to develop and take hold giving Hot Blood. This gives rise to the skin rashes as well as the awkward irritability of the child.

The heat also injures the Lungs so that catarrh builds up and is not cleared. Corticosteroid skin creams for the rashes and antibiotics for the catarrh have given no longterm improvement.

The Kidneys are strengthened using pressure on points on the back and legs. This gives stability and calms the Fire, while in the acute phase points are also used to disperse the Heat and clear the chest.

There is a dramatic period of 'clearing out' following the treatment, in which the child is sick, throws up catarrh, has smelly diarrhoea and yellow discharges from the eyes and ears.

This temporary phase is followed by a restoration of vitality and a marked improvement in health and temperament generally. Both skin and chest become clear.