Acupuncture Treatment for Eczema

Eczema is a common allergic and inflammatory skin disease characterized by symmetric distribution, polymorphic rash, and recurrent episodes. It can be classified into three types: acute, subacute, and chronic. The etiology is complex and can be caused by certain systemic diseases, psychological and neurological factors, as well as food allergies, physical factors, and local irritation. Allergic reactions, metabolic disorders, and endocrine imbalances are internal causes of eczema.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this disease is named according to its location and characteristics. Eczema that occurs in the bending parts of the limbs is called "Four Bends Wind", while that occurs in the scrotum is called "Kidney Scrotal Wind". Eczema with vesicles and oozing is called "Jin Yin Sores", and eczema mainly characterized by papules is called "Blood Wind Sores". In general, the pathogenesis of this disease is mostly due to rheumatism and heat invading the skin or blood deficiency with heat, wind and dryness transforming the skin so that it cannot be nourished.

Acute eczema is mainly characterized by papules, vesicles, pustules, erosion, exudation, and scab formation. In the early stage, dense erythematous spots and millet-sized papules and vesicles quickly become small blisters, which rupture and form a punctate erosion surface. Severe itching affects sleep. Subacute eczema is a continuation of acute eczema. It is characterized by small papules, a few vesicles, and mild erosions, with more severe itching. The course of the disease can last for several weeks or turn into a chronic state. Chronic eczema is a continuation of subacute eczema or can occur chronically. The affected skin is rough, thickened, and harder to the touch, with mossy changes, often accompanied by pigmentation, scratch marks, erosions, exudation, scabbing, and scaling. The course of the disease is long and can last for months or years.

In TCM treatment, acute eczema is mainly treated with clearing and purging damp heat, supplemented by tonifying the spleen and eliminating dampness. The main acupuncture points are the Hand Yangming, Foot Taiyang, and Hand Taiyin meridians. The diarrhea method is used for acupuncture. Chronic eczema is mainly treated with nourishing blood and moisturizing dryness, with the main acupuncture points being the Foot Yangming and Foot Taiyin meridians, and the reinforcing method is used for acupuncture. Commonly used acupoints include Da Zhui, Qu Chi, Zu San Li, San Yin Jiao, Fei Shu, Yin Ling Quan, Xue Hai, and Xi Men. Fire needling has a good therapeutic effect on chronic eczema, skin roughness, thickening, hardening, and mossy changes, and can promote healing, dispel wind, and stop itching. The above methods are treated 2-3 times a week, and a course of treatment is 10 sessions.

For infantile eczema, the treatment method is different from that of adults, and there is no need to leave the needles in place. Just a few acupoints are stimulated, and the treatment is performed three times a week, with very significant results. As the ancients said, "The internal organs of young children are light and agile, and respond immediately when stimulated."

At the same time, patients are advised to avoid using hot water to scald the affected area and not to use soap and other cleaning products.

Typical Cases: Adam, male, 60 years old. Has had hand eczema for nearly 20 years. The skin on his palms has thickened and become mossy. After one course of treatment, the skin on his palms became thinner, and the lines on his palms were visible. After two courses of treatment, the eczema was completely cured.

Jenny, female, one and a half years old. Has eczema all over her body, which is extremely itchy. The itching is worse at night, affecting her sleep and hindering her growth, resulting in short stature. After receiving treatment using the above-mentioned acupuncture points, which involved being punctured three times a week for three weeks, the eczema was controlled, and her sleep improved, but she still cannot eat milk, fish, shrimp etc.