Acupuncture for Itching

Acupuncture is a very unique type of oriental healing technique that is very effective in relieving itch. If you are considering using it for the first time, you need to consult with your doctor first.

Causes of Itching

There are many causes of itching and they can range from damaged nerves to dry skin. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology categorizes itching into four types:

Psychogenic – This type of itch can be caused by imbalances in levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in your body. Psychogenic itching is usually treated with antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines.
Neurogenic – This type of itching happens with kidney and chronic liver disease
Neuropathic – This can be caused by problems in the nervous system
Pruriceptive – This can be due to skin damage resulting from conditions like inflammation, eczema and drug reactions

Acupuncture Treatment for Itching

In treating itching acupuncturists first need to evaluate the symptoms of their patients to customize treatments that address their patients’ particular needs. Acupuncture is uniquely customized that each patient usually gets different treatment even if they have the same medical complaint. Acupuncture points identified for a specific type of itch can be different for another type of itch. For example, an acupoint for the Gallbladder organ located on the thigh indicates for itchy, red skin is needled. An acupoint associated with the Urinary bladder located in the back near the spine is treated if the patient is suffering from eczema. For generalized itching, acne and hives, acupoints connected to the Urinary bladder is treated.

Effectiveness

Studies published in the 2010 edition of the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology showed that acupuncture treatments lessened the duration, distribution and intensity of itching. The journal also noted that the studies involved low numbers of episodes or single-case studies which imply that even if acupuncture showed its efficacy for treating itch, more testing and research are required to verify its effectiveness.

Considerations

There is not doubt that acupuncture is now a popular type of treatment in the United States. It is considered to be a safe procedure with few side effects, if any at all. However, if done by an inexperienced or untrained practitioner, acupuncture can have negative effects that can include punctured organs due to incorrectly placed needles or infections from unsterile needles. If you want to make sure you are given safe care, check the credentials of your acupuncturist and never select an acupuncturist who possesses no traditional medical training.

 

Vital Gate Acupuncture
107 W 82nd St
New York, NY 10024
(212) 873-4244
http://www.vitalgate.com/

Acupuncture for Itching

An itching sensation ensues when the skin starts to tingle and the urge to scratch is very strong.  Most cases of itching are not serious but the uncomfortable sensation can eventually result in too much scratching that can injure the skin. Acupuncture is a Chinese healing modality thousands of years old that can help relieve the itching sensation.  It is recommended that you talk with your doctor first before getting acupuncture treatment.

Causes of Itching

There may be so many possible causes of itching – some may be caused by dry skin and in some severe cases, it may be due to damaged nerves.  There are four classifications of itching according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, these are psychogenic, neurogenic, neuropathic and pruriceptive.  Chemical imbalances in the body, especially the ones involving norepinephrine and serotonin may lead to psychogenic itching. This type of itching may be relieved with antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. Neurogenic itching can occur when the patient suffers from kidney or chronic liver disease, neuropathic itching can result from damage to the nervous system,  Pruriceptive itching can be caused by damage to the skin due to conditions such as inflammation, eczema, drug reactions and hives.

It is the job of acupuncturists to evaluate the symptoms of their patients in order to customize a plan of treatment that will treat their patient’s specific needs.  Since acupuncture treatment is really based on the symptoms and physiology of the patient, patients may get different treatments for basically the same health problems. Acupuncturists can identify the acupuncture points that are often utilized to stop itching. The Gall Bladder point 31 point, for example, situated on the thigh is needled to address itchy red skin. The Urinary Bladder 17 point is essential for itchy skin problems such as eczema, and is found on the back near the spine. The Urinary Bladder 13 point, very near to the Urinary Bladder 17 point, is treated to address acne and hives as well as generalized itching.

Effectiveness

The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology posted studies in 2010 assessing case studies and scientific research on the treatment of acupuncture for itching. The studies stated that acupuncture therapies decreased the duration, distribution and intensity of itching. The conductors of the study, however, said that since the studies only involved low numbers of episodes or were single-case studies, they weren’t the kind of studies that can truly validate acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating itching. More testing and research are needed to prove acupuncture’s effectiveness.

Considerations

In spite of the millions of Americans who get acupuncture treatments, very few cases of side effects have been reported. Acupuncture is considered to be a safe treatment although it can have adverse effects if it is performed by an inexperienced or untrained acupuncturist. The effects may include punctured organs due to improperly placed needles or poor sanitation. To guarantee safe care, you need to check the credentials of the acupuncturist and stop relying on a diagnosis from an acupuncturist who has no traditional medical training.

 

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.

Itching Risk Factors

The risk factors that can heighten the likelihood of pruritus often depend on the factors that cause the itching.

Some of the risk factors for pruritus include:

• Eating of foods that contain allergens – These can be fruits like strawberry and seafood like crabs, certain shrimps, fish, clams and other shellfishes
• For sensitive skin it could be – Friction from sheets or certain clothing that come into contact with the skin
• Scratching – Sometimes the act of scratching can exacerbate the itching sensation which in turn will elicit more scratching
• Heat
• Insect bites – These can include contact with caterpillar hairs and insect bites
• Contact with plants that secrete toxic substances
• Stress – These can include anger or even extreme joy. Severe stress can result in a person developing hives
• Exposure to stinging plants like poison ivy
• People taking certain medications – Cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy can have itching side effects from the treatments.
• Diseases – Diseases like to AIDS and many types of cancers often cause uncontrolled episodes of itching
• Crowded Areas – People in poor living conditions or in overcrowded places are likely to suffer from scabies, lice or mite infestation or even smallpox and chickenpox, all factors that cause skin itching
• Traveling – People who often travel are prone to exposure to allergens or parasites that can cause skin itching
• Excessive body cleaning – Aggressive hygiene and skin care particularly in children make the skin more sensitive and itchy. Excessive cleaning of body parts such as the anus and vulva can make these areas sensitive and itchy and may cause them to dysfunction as well
• People with pets – Pets can bring lice and mites with them. Animal dander from your dog or cat can be allergic to you and make you feel itchy all over.
• Tight shoes – The wearing of sports shoes and synthetic socks can lead to juvenile plantar dermatosis or athlete’s foot. Both of these conditions can lead to skin itching in the affected areas.
• Family history – People with family members who have allergy are likely to carry the allergy gene that can lead to itchiness during an allergic reaction

Dr. Cui Han is a Florida licensed acupuncture physician and the founder of AcuHealing Medical Center in Miami, FL.

Itching – Preparing for your Appointment

To better treat your itchy skin, you start by visiting your primary care physician or your family doctor. However, there might be circumstances that when you call to make a doctor’s appointment, you might be referred to a dermatologist or some other medical skin professional instead. Your doctor’s appointment has a certain time limit and in order to make the most of your appointment, you need to be fully prepared. You can follow some tips below to make you as prepared as possible for your doctor’s appointment and the things you can expect from your physician.

 

How to Prepare

 

First of all, you can list down in a small notebook all the symptoms and signs that you have experienced including the time they happened and their durations. Write down all the medicines (these include over-the-counter and prescription meds as well as herb and vitamin supplements) you are presently utilizing. You can bring the bottles with you to show to your doctor if you like and the list of the indications and dosages you take each day.

 

You can ask questions to your physician regarding your itchy skin. Make the most of your time and ask questions you need answers to. Never be intimidated by your doctor or anyone else. So you may not forget them write down all your questions and you can either ask these questions to your doctor during your appointment or you can give the list to your doctor who will read all your questions and answer them one by one. Just be sure your writing is eligible enough for your doctor to be able to read your writing. Some of these questions can include:

 

• What do you think is or are the causes of my itching?
• Do I need to undergo certain tests to get an accurate diagnosis?
• Is my itching temporary or long-term or chronic?
• What treatment plan is the best for me?
• Are there any other plans that can be as effective as the primary one you have in mind?
• Will over-the-counter drugs be enough to treat my itching or do I need to take prescription meds for my itching?
• What are the expected results?
• Will my itching dissipate on its own over a certain period of time?

 

What your doctor might ask you

 

The doctor will have important questions to ask you to help him formulate the right diagnosis and course of treatment. Some of his questions might be like these:

 

• Do you remember when you first noticed your itching symptoms?
• How did your skin look when you first noticed these symptoms?
• Have your symptoms remain unchanged or have changed during the course of time?
• What things or factors seem to worsen your itching?
• What factors make your itching symptoms milder or less severe?
• What are the home remedies you have used? Are they effective in relieving your itch?
• What over-the-counter and prescription drugs are you using for alleviating your symptoms?
• Did you recently take a trip?
• What is your typical diet?
• Have you been exposed to typical outdoor and indoor irritants like certain metals, chemicals or pets?

 

Brent Keime, LAc, MSTOM
4410 Lamont Street
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 619-800-2287
http://weloveacupuncture.com/