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Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes inflamed, rough, cracked and itchy skin. Eczema is a common skin condition that affects around 32 million Americans. Around 10-20% of infants also have eczema.

Many people consider eczema a relatively mild skin condition. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Many studies have found that some eczema patients have a poorer quality of life than those grappling with chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Itching, sores, and blisters are a source of pain, discomfort, shame, and misery for people with eczema. Many people with eczema avoid socializing and limit their daily activities in order to avoid triggers.

Some common foods that can trigger an eczema flare-up are dairy products, nuts, eggs, soy, and tomatoes. Common environmental triggers include fragrances, smoke, and pollen.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Some other types are contact dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and dyshidrotic dermatitis.

Causes

The exact cause of eczema is not known. Some health experts believe that it develops due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In some cases, eczema is caused by an oversensitive immune system that responds aggressively when exposed to irritants.

Eczema can also be caused when the immune system loses its ability to differentiate between proteins that are part of the body and the proteins of invaders such as bacteria and viruses and starts attacking the body’s proteins.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of eczema include:

• Dry, cracked, scaly skin
• Red or brownish gray patches on different parts of the body including the wrists, neck, hands, ankles, feet, upper chest, and eyelids
• Small, raised bumps that leak fluid
• Severe itching

Acupuncture for Eczema: How Can It Help?

Many people with eczema use acupuncture as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments to manage their condition.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can help relieve itching and other eczema symptoms. A meta-analysis of studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating atopic dermatitis reported improvement in symptoms among acupuncture groups.

A 2019 study concluded that acupuncture could help alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate eczema. In a 2020 study, researchers reported that acupuncture for eczema in San Francisco can reduce eczema severity and outbreak size.

During a session, your acupuncturist may stimulate the L11 acupuncture pressure point. This point is believed to be linked to conditions such as finger numbness, skin itchiness, and throat soreness. 

People with allergies are at high risk of developing eczema and allergies can also trigger a flare-up.

If you have an allergy, your acupuncturist will use different acupuncture techniques to relieve allergy symptoms. Eczema can result from an internal imbalance in the body. Acupuncture removes blockages, improving overall health and wellness.

At Anchor Acupuncture we are committed to patient care. We use acupuncture to relieve discomfort and pain associated with different health conditions and diseases. Schedule an appointment with us at (415) 855-3112.