1. Acne
Approximately 70% of individuals, predominantly females, report having acne during and after their adolescent years, making it one of the most common chronic inflammatory cutaneous disorders. Although acne rarely directly results in death, psychological stress brought on by scars and pustule lesions on the face can have a significant emotional impact on a patient's life, particularly since up to 20% of teenagers may have lifelong scars from acne. Focal hyperkeratinization, androgen-induced hyperproduction of sebum, Propionibacterium acnes-infected follicles, and inflammation are among the various factors linked to the pathogenesis of acne. To control symptoms, a variety of treatments are frequently used alone or in combination, such as antibiotics, topical retinoid, oral isotretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and hormone therapy; however, these treatments still have drawbacks. Following prolonged use of oral antibiotics, one should take into account the possibility of gastrointestinal distress as well as the rise in antimicrobial resistance in the community.
Since heat, toxins, and moisture are thought to be the primary causes of acne from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is frequently used to reduce the severity of acne. Anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-hyperkeratinization, and reducing sebum production were the main goals of the CHM treatment plan. Furthermore, when utilizing only anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial CHMs, or even Western medicine alone, an add-on CHM might be able to compensate for the lack of mood modification. For example, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San is particularly good for teenage girls because it is frequently used for premenstrual syndrome, of which acne is one of the most common skin manifestations.
Acupuncture techniques may also have a role in acne, according to several studies. Serum excretion rate (SER) and testosterone have been demonstrated to be decreased by auricular acupressure and surrounding needles, which involve superficially inserting two to four needles around the acne lesion. Through innate and adaptive immune responses as well as peripheral muscarinic receptors, acupuncture may have the potential to lessen acne-related inflammation.
2. Shingles
The varicella-zoster virus, which can occasionally cause blistering rash over a small area of the body, is the cause of shingles, a condition marked by a painful rash. A child usually contracts chickenpox. In contrast, an elderly adult with a vesicular rash that is localized to one side of the body or face typically has Shingles; the patient complains of pain, and recovery may be accompanied by a chronic, intractable pain syndrome known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The most upsetting sign of its aftereffects is PHN, which is frequently voiced. Antiviral medication is the principal treatment for shingles. These antiviral medications are excreted via the kidneys, thus dosages must be modified to account for renal insufficiency. Finding a different Shingles treatment is so crucial.
Shingles, also referred to as "snakelike sores" or "fire girdle sores" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are caused by heat stagnation, damp heat stagnation, liver qi stagnation, and spleen disharmony. Furthermore, partial healing of heat (infection), residual toxic material (lesion), and Wei Qi deficiency all contribute to postherpetic neural syndrome (PHN). Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in treating a range of skin conditions and pain syndromes, as well as offering advantages during the acute phase of shingles. Moxibustion is the practice of burning a herb in close proximity to the skin, typically in the vicinity of acupuncture points. Moxibustion has been shown in a comprehensive review to potentially alleviate shingles and scleroma discomfort. Acupuncture and moxibustion are recommended in Chinese medicine clinical practice guidelines for treating the acute symptoms of shingles and PHN, are frequently used in combination in clinical practice.
Reference:
Huang, S, Y Xu, Z Pan, Z Li, R Luo, M Yu, W Li, H Liu, and J Wu. "Efficacy and Safety of Fire Needle Combined with Cupping for Acute Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Protocol for Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis." Medicine 101, no. 50 (2022): e32251.
Mansu, SSY, H Liang, S Parker, ME Coyle, K Wang, AL Zhang, X Guo, C Lu, and CCL Xue. "Acupuncture for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 2018 (2018): 4806734.
