Acupuncture for Itch
Acupuncture for Itch
Acupuncture is not always the first method chosen in Traditional Chinese Medicine to cure itch. It can be quite effective in relieving itch caused by toxic heat of an insect bite or allergen.
Most chronic itching problems are due to skin dryness. This condition is most often treated with herbal medicine. Herbs are used to tonify the blood and yin in order to relieve itching.
Effect of acupuncture on allergen-induced itch in patients with atopic eczema
F. Pfab, J. Huss-Marp, A. Gatti, J. Fuqin, D. Irnich, G. Athanasiadis, J. Ring, H. Behrendt, U. Darsow
Objective:
To investigate the effect of acupuncture on allergen-induced itch...in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
Methods:
A skin prick test using house dust mite or grass pollen was applied to 30 patients with atopic eczema (A1)). Acupuncture at points Quchi and Xuehai (were used), “placebo points” (A2) and no acupuncture (NA) were used as well. Itch intensity was recorded on a visual analogue scale. After 10min, wheal and flare size, as well as temperature, were measured at the stimulus site and the Eppendorf Itch Questionnaire (EIQ) was completed by the patient.
Results:
Mean itch intensity was significantly lower in A1 (35.7±6.4) compared to NA (45.9±7.8) and A2 (40.4±5.8) with regard to the direct effect; and significantly lower in A1 (34.3±7.1) and A2 (37.8±5.6) compared to NA (44.6±6.2) with regard to the preventive effect. Mean wheal and flare size was significantly smaller in A1 (0.38±0.12cm2/8.1±2.0cm2) compared to A2 (0.54±0.13cm2/13.5±2.8cm2) and NA (0.78±0.28cm2/15.1±4.1cm2).
Mean EIQ ratings were significantly lower in A1 compared to NA and A2 in the treatment approach; and significantly lower in A1 and A2 compared to NA in the preventive approach.
Conclusions:
Acupuncture at the correct points reduced allergen-induced itch intensity and prevented wheal and erythema formation compared to placebo procedures in patients with atopic eczema.
CHINESE MEDICINE FOR ITCH
