Can dry gangrene of the toe be treated with moxibustion?

It is better not to use moxibustion for dry gangrene of toes. It can be divided into different types such as cold-damp obstruction, blood stasis, heat poisoning and yin injury, as well as qi and yin deficiency, etc., which can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. 1. Cold-dampness obstruction syndrome: it is seen in the early stage of dry gangrene of toes, the arterial pulsation of the dorsum of the foot of the affected limb is weakened, the affected toes are afraid of cold, numbness, soreness and pain, the pain is aggravated after walking and relieved after resting, and the skin is whitish and cold. Treatment requires warming Yang and dispersing cold, activating blood circulation and opening up the channels, and can be treated with Yanghe Tang plus subtractions. 2. Blood stasis syndrome: manifested as aggravation of soreness and swelling of the affected toe, severe pain at night, unable to walk, dark red and purple color, aggravated when the foot hangs down, dry and cold skin, and muscle atrophy. The treatment needs to activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis, clear the channels and relieve pain, and can be treated with the addition and subtraction of Tao Hong Si Wu Tang. 3. Heat toxicity injuring yin evidence: manifested as dry skin, shedding of skin hairs, thickening and deformation of nails, muscle atrophy, dry gangrene of toes has been formed, dry mouth and thirst, dry stools, little urine, red tongue coating, and so on. Treatment requires clearing away heat and removing toxins, nourishing Yin and activating Blood, and can be treated with Gu Bu Tang plus subtractions. 4. Qi and yin deficiency: belonging to the late stage of dry gangrene, the dry gangrene has been partially detached, but the wound is difficult to heal, the flesh buds are dark red or light white, not fresh, accompanied by fatigue, thirst, lack of luster of the facial skin, emaciation, warmth of the palms and feet, irritability, etc. The treatment needs to benefit qi and nourish yin. The treatment needs to benefit the qi and nourish the yin, and can take Astragalus and turtle shell soup plus reduction treatment. It should be noted that if one suffers from dry gangrene, one should consult a doctor immediately and actively follow the doctor’s instructions for examination and treatment, so as to avoid serious consequences such as amputation of limbs.