Urticaria and other skin conditions
Acupuncture is used for a variety of sin conditions. It would appear to have the potential to influence skin disease in several ways: it may have local and general effects on the disease processes including the immune response; it may relieve symptoms such as itch.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat numerous skin conditions including acne, alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and urticaria.1 However, there is hardly any scientific research on the use of acupuncture to treat skin conditions.
Clinical experience suggests that acupuncture may be particularly useful in allergic conditions such as urticaria. This is supported by studies demonstrating an anti-histamine effect of acupuncture.2 3
1 Tan EK, Millington GW, Levell NJ. Acupuncture in dermatology: an historical perspective. International Journal of Dermatology 2009; 48(6): 648-52.
2 Belgrade MJ, Solomon LM, Lichter EA. Effect of acupuncture on experimentally induced itch. Acta Dermatologica Venereologica 1084; 64: 129-33.
3 Lundeberg T, Bondesson L, Thomas M. Effect of acupuncture on experimentally induced itch. British Journal of Dermatology 1987; 117: 771-7.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat numerous skin conditions including acne, alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and urticaria.1 However, there is hardly any scientific research on the use of acupuncture to treat skin conditions.
Clinical experience suggests that acupuncture may be particularly useful in allergic conditions such as urticaria. This is supported by studies demonstrating an anti-histamine effect of acupuncture.2 3
1 Tan EK, Millington GW, Levell NJ. Acupuncture in dermatology: an historical perspective. International Journal of Dermatology 2009; 48(6): 648-52.
2 Belgrade MJ, Solomon LM, Lichter EA. Effect of acupuncture on experimentally induced itch. Acta Dermatologica Venereologica 1084; 64: 129-33.
3 Lundeberg T, Bondesson L, Thomas M. Effect of acupuncture on experimentally induced itch. British Journal of Dermatology 1987; 117: 771-7.