Objective To explore the rules of drug use in treatment of proven cases of erysipelas by data mining.

Methods The Ancient and Modern Medical Records Cloud Platform (version 1.5.6) and Chinese Medical Code (version 5.0) were collected and screened to extract prescriptions. Drug information was collected, and a database was established. The data mining module of the Ancient and Modern Medical Records Cloud Platform (version 1.5.6) was used to analyze drug use frequency and prescription compatibility.

Results A total of 203 effective prescriptions were selected, including 393 kinds of drugs. The top three frequently used drugs were Chishao, Lianqiao, Mudanpi. Statistical analysis of property, taste and meridian affinity showed that the top three drugs were cold, slightly cold and warm in nature, bitter, sweet and pungent in taste, liver, lung and stomach in meridian affinity. Association rule analysis showed that the drug pair with the highest confidence was Chishao-Mudanpi, and cluster analysis showed that there were 3 categories: cluster 1 category (Lianqiao, Dihuang, Chishao, Mudanpi), cluster 2 category (Danggui, Chuanxiong, Fangfeng, Huangqin, Chaihu) and cluster 3 category (Jinyinhua, Yiyiren, Niuxi, Fuling, Cangzhu, Huangbai). The core formula was obtained by complex network analysis, including 11 drugs (Chishao, Mudanpi, Dihuang, Niuxi, Lianqiao, Huangqin, Huangbai, Yiyiren, Cangzhu, Jinyinhua, Danggui).

Conclusion The medication rule of proven cases of erysipelas is based on the treatment principle of cooling blood. At the same time, it is necessary to add the drugs with actions of expelling the pathogens by removing dampness, blood stasis and relieving exterior syndrome on the basis of syndrome differentiation, and emphasize on reinforcing healthy qi to deal with priorities.