Diabetic Foot and Soft Tissue Necrosis Caused by Moxibustion Burn Injury

ABSTRACT

A 72-year-old man with diabetes, who underwent moxibustion, developed a foot wound but did not receive proper treatment.Examination showed a soft tissue defect (6×6 cm) on the dorsal aspect of the right foot with involvement of the first and second toes along with some phalangeal bone loss. The wound was treated with a skin graft and healed without complications.The right calf showed a raw surface (4×3 cm), which underwent epithelialization after conservative treatment. We observed four focal necrotic lesions (1.5×1.5 cm) on the right lower leg and anterior chest, which served as indicators of moxibustion, and debridement and primary closure were performed. Moxibustion is increasingly used as a therapeutic option; however, statistical data describing its adverse effects are limited. Moxibustion significantly increases skin temperature and can cause burn injuries. It is important to prevent moxibustion-induced adverse effects and avoid severe complications, particularly in patients with diabetes.