While you may be used to seeing a doctor and getting a prescription medication for health issues like eczema, there are other schools of thought about treating chronic conditions, including the use of Ayurvedic or traditional Chinese medicine practices. And one such modality that has stood the test of time is acupuncture. The centuries-old practice, which involves inserting needles in designated areas of the body, is believed by some to relieve physical and mental stress and encourage healing.
When it comes to eczema (or atopic dermatitis), evidence about the effectiveness of acupuncture is scarce. Still, some research suggests that the practice may bring a little relief with little risk. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between acupuncture and eczema—and how the former might be able to increase comfort and dial down symptoms.
Relationship
The Relationship Between Acupuncture and Eczema
For those who haven’t yet experienced acupuncture, the practice “is a component of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into specific pressure points on the body that correspond to energy flow and healing,” says Teresa Song, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical and a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital Dermatology residency in New York City.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that acupuncture points can reflect and connect with different components of the body that may contribute to systemic diseases. For that reason, “the focus of these pressure points tends to be enhancing the immune system and is not limited in application for specific diseases,” says Dr. Song.
In acupuncture, each acupoint is identified by a combination of a number and a letter, which corresponds to a particular meridian or energy channel in traditional Chinese medicine. These acupoints are located along pathways where Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, is believed to flow.
For example, “LI4” refers to the fourth point along the large intestine meridian, while “GB20” refers to the twentieth point along the gallbladder meridian. Each acupoint is believed to have its own unique therapeutic properties and is used to treat various conditions by stimulating or balancing the flow of Qi in the body.
The most common acupuncture points for eczema include:
- LI 11 (eleventh point along the large intestine meridian), located on the outer edge of the elbow crease: This point “helps clear toxins and heat from the body, which is used to treat eczema since it’s proposed that eczema may be associated with heat and dampness in the body,” says Dr. Song.
- SP6 (sixth point along the spleen meridian), located on the inner side of the lower leg: This area focuses on regulating organs like the spleen, liver, and kidney to clear toxins in the body, which “can help contribute to improved circulation in treating eczema,” she says.
- LI4 (fourth point along the large intestine meridian), located between the thumb and index finger: This spot “is known for its anti-inflammatory properties,” Dr. Song says. For that reason, it’s used to treat a variety of conditions, including eczema.
Benefits
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Eczema
Eastern medicine practitioners believe that acupuncture can “restore the balance of a vital energy in the body called ‘qi’,” says Peter Lio, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and medical acupuncturist in Chicago, IL who also serves on the National Eczema Association‘s board of directors. “Acupuncture has been shown to be helpful for itch, inflammation, and reducing stress and anxiety—[and] all of these suggest it could have a role in helping eczema patients.” In fact, one 2020 review of randomly controlled trials in Acupuncture Medicine determined that acupuncture was more effective than conventional medicine at reducing the eczema area and severity index and improving symptoms, though it also found that there wasn’t much data to support acupuncture’s impact on quality of life and eczema flares.
Using acupuncture for itchy skin associated with eczema also shows promise, even when compared to a fake acupuncture point that served as a placebo—as it was in a small trial in Complementary Therapies in Medicine. “That is a key, tangible benefit,” says Dr. Lio. Plus, he says, “it also seems to help with overall inflammation in the body, can improve sleep quality, and can help decrease stress and anxiety.”
In reducing stress, acupuncture for eczema might be able to improve the condition and reduce flares indirectly, according to Dr. Song. (In fact, research shows that stress-reduction practices alongside conventional treatments can be more beneficial in treating eczema than the latter alone.) “However, there are no established clinical trials and standardized protocol for this category of treatment and is generally considered a complementary to traditional care,” she says.
Limitations
Limitations of Acupuncture for Eczema
Despite the promising results of using acupuncture for eczema, “there is still limited scientific evidence supporting its use in patients,” Dr. Song says. Results might also depend on the skill of your acupuncture provider, and therefore can vary widely. Also worth considering: It can require a long-time commitment, since eczema is a chronic condition, and will likely be an out-of-pocket cost with one to three appointments per week. (The cost can range from $15 to $400, depending on where you live, with the lowest average price for a session being $45.)
Because it’s an investment of both time and money, Dr. Lio also stresses the importance of using it as a complementary treatment to other, science-backed eczema treatments with better evidence behind them. These can include:
- Biologics, such as Dupixent (dupilumab)
- Immunosuppressants
- JAK inhibitors
- Over-the-counter moisturizers
- Prescription non-steroidal topical treatments
- Topical corticosteroids
You should see a board-certified dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis of atopic dermatitis before setting up acupuncture—and talk to your doctor about all of your options. Ultimately, “medical treatment should be maximized prior to adding in complementary treatments,” says Dr. Song.
Risks
What Are the Risks of Acupuncture for Eczema?
While research shows that acupuncture in the hands of a licensed practitioner is relatively safe for most people, it still comes with risks, though they’re unlikely. “Sometimes, there can be mild pain from the needles, and very rarely there can be internal organ damage from deeply placed needles—though this is almost never seen in the United States, where much smaller and more superficial treatments are the overwhelming norm,” says Dr. Lio. It’s also a risk if it delays you in receiving other, potentially more effective treatments, he says.
You can also consider alternative treatments for eczema, which, according to Dr. Lio, include:
- Acupressure: Acupressure is like acupuncture but uses manual pressure with the fingers to trigger various points on the body.
- Bathing oils: A 20-minute bath with plant- and mineral-based oils, such as soybean oil, can help support the skin barrier.
- Mind-body treatments: Massage therapy and progressive muscle relaxation therapy—in which you tense and then relax each muscle—may help ease psychological symptoms of eczema like stress.
- Yoga and tai chi: These combine breathing with movement and mindfulness, which can help lower the body’s stress response.
There are other resources on this topic available through the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, which Dr. Lio founded.
Takeaways
Takeaways
Ultimately, acupuncture isn’t a cure-all for eczema, but it might offer some relief, especially when used in conjunction with other, more conventional treatments for the condition. “While I have seen more dramatic improvements, these are not the norm and probably not reasonable expectations for most,” says Dr. Lio. But because it can help people with severe itchiness and poor sleep, acupuncture could still be worth trying alongside the usual therapies—so long as you have the time and money for it.