The symptoms of scrofula can be understood from three stages

Scrofula is a very common infectious disease in the neck area. Generally speaking, after people find out that they have scrofula, they can learn about the symptoms of the disease from the following description.

1. Initial stage

The lumps on the neck are as big as soybeans, one or several, and may appear at the same time or one after another. The skin color remains unchanged, the texture is slightly hard, the surface is smooth, there is no heat or pain, and it can move when pushed.

2. Mid-term

The nucleus gradually grows larger and adheres to the epidermis. Sometimes several nuclei fuse together to form a large lump, which is immobile and painful when pushed. When the pus develops further, the surface skin turns dark red, slightly hot, and has a slight fluctuation when pressed.

3. Post-production

After the purulent mass is incised or ruptured on its own, clear and thin pus mixed with flocculent matter will flow out. The sore opening presents a latent lumen (the skin on the surface is thin, and there is a cavity extending to the surrounding area under the skin). The flesh on the sore opening is grayish white, the surrounding skin is dark purple, and sinus tracts may form. If the pus becomes thicker and the granulation tissue turns bright red, it means healing is imminent. It can be divided into three stages according to local lesions, but in fact some patients may have lesions of two or three stages at the same time.

There are no systemic symptoms at the beginning of the disease, but there may be low fever and poor appetite when the purulent infection occurs. If the ulcer does not heal in the later stage, it can lead to qi and blood deficiency, and liver and kidney damage. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, pale complexion, dizziness and insomnia, poor appetite, red tongue with little coating, and a thin and weak pulse. Most are curable. The prognosis is generally good, but a few people with weak constitution may develop sputum. After recovery, the disease often relapses due to physical weakness or excessive fatigue.