Both home remedies and prescription treatment plans may be part of managing eczema symptoms. Acupuncture has been investigated as one such remedy.
Eczema is a common skin condition that causes patches of dry, itchy skin and a red rash on different parts of your body. Eczema symptoms can be triggered by your body’s natural immune response to certain proteins.
In recent years, acupuncture has gotten some attention as a possible way to treat symptoms of eczema, particularly the symptom of itching.
Let’s take a look at what we know about how acupuncture may help eczema and who can safely try the treatment.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that’s been used for more than 2,500 years, and in the United States for about
Acupuncture involves a licensed practitioner inserting very small, thin needles into pressure points on your body. These pressure points are believed to activate your central nervous system to help treat a wide variety of health conditions.
Acupuncture is mostly used in the United States as a treatment for pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have concluded, based on published research, that acupuncture is a valuable treatment for several conditions, including:
Whether acupuncture can provide valuable treatment for other types of conditions is less established, and the evidence about using it to treat skin conditions is mostly anecdotal. More research is needed.
Acupuncture does appear to help some people treat their eczema symptoms. The success of the treatment may vary depending on what causes your eczema to flare up.
If your eczema is related to dietary, seasonal, or environmental allergies, acupuncture may be able to help.
Chinese studies in
The researchers of the 2023 study determined that acupuncture can:
- reduce the incidence of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis
- relieve symptoms
- improve the quality of life
- reduce the use of emergency medications
The 2024 study noted that it may control or treat allergic rhinitis with minimal side effects compared with standard treatments.
According to an older study
This study showed that acupuncture lowered the intensity of eczema-related itching better than placebo and no treatment. Researchers suggested that part of the reason acupuncture reduced itch was that it provided a distraction from the itching sensation.
A review of eight studies with a total of 434 participants looking at the effects of acupuncture on atopic eczema (the most common type) published in 2019 showed that acupuncture:
- was better than no treatment at reducing itch intensity
- was better than conventional medicine at reducing the eczema area and severity
- was better than conventional medicine in terms of global symptom improvement
- did not lead to any adverse side effects
The researchers noted they did not have enough evidence to draw conclusions on the effects of acupuncture on quality of life and atopic eczema recurrence rate.
People who believe acupuncture works to treat eczema typically subscribe to the idea that the treatment can help control your immune system’s response to your eczema triggers. These people report having weekly appointments with a trained and licensed acupuncturist and gradually reducing frequency to “tune-up” biweekly appointments.
The pressure points that an acupuncturist would focus on to treat eczema might depend on where flares tend to happen. It might also depend on other health conditions present.
Only a licensed professional can give you an accurate assessment of how or if acupuncture can be used to treat your eczema symptoms.
The
That doesn’t mean everyone should try it or that it’ll work for everyone, but rather that most people who try acupuncture for eczema tolerate it well and don’t experience negative side effects after the treatment.
Even if it works to manage some symptoms, acupuncture is not a cure for eczema.
If it works well for you, it can be a tool in your treatment plan toolkit, along with:
- topical creams
- mild steroid creams
- oatmeal baths
- avoiding triggers
Home remedies for eczema along with prescription topical or oral medication from your dermatologist might be required if you have severe symptoms.
Many who live with eczema are 2 years old or younger. Infants and children who have eczema may see their symptoms decrease as they get older, with or without treatments like acupuncture. Not every acupuncture practitioner will use acupuncture on children.
Advantages of acupuncture as a treatment for eczema
- It can be used along with other home remedies and prescription medications.
- There’s very little, if any, risk of side effects.
- Acupuncture doesn’t introduce any chemicals into your body.
Disadvantages of acupuncture as a treatment for eczema
- There’s little evidence for the treatment, so you probably won’t have an idea if it works for you unless you give it a try.
- It’s only sometimes covered by insurance. Without insurance, the cost of appointments can add up fast. If you have insurance, contact your insurance company to ask for details about your plan.
- Acupuncture for children is safe and effective, but it might be more difficult to find a licensed acupuncturist who specializes in pediatric treatments. Infants and toddlers who have eczema may not be able to get the treatment.
There’s reason to believe acupuncture might work to manage symptoms for some people with eczema, such as itching.
Whether it works for you may depend on factors like:
- how old you are
- what triggers your eczema
- which other treatments you’re using
A dermatologist might have some additional insight about acupuncture and other holistic remedies that might work to manage your eczema.
To find a nationally board certified and licensed acupuncturist, visit the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s practitioner directory.