Acupuncture and Skin Problems

Other conditions that can sometimes flare up in the Spring are some skin problems, especially eczema.  Although it may come as a surprise, acupuncture can be extremely useful for skin conditions, from eczema to psoriasis or urticaria. Factors leading to skin problems vary from environment allergens such as pollen, chemicals, soaps or specific fabric to stress or even the change in seasons!  It is often useful to address any potential dietary issues as our intestinal health is directly related to our immune system strength, and all those skin conditions are to some extent an overreaction of the immune system leading to inflammation to the skin.

How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture often needs to be combined with dietary therapy when dealing with skin conditions. In terms of Chinese medicine, skin problems are associated with heat (if the skin is red and itchy or feels hot to the touch), dampness (if there are signs of oozing or fluid accumulation) among other things.  Some acupuncture points help the transformation of fluids in the body while other points are used to "clear heat" or cool the body.
Depending on the diagnosis and your diet/lifestyle, it may be useful to avoid certain types of foods while including others in your diet.  In most cases it will be helpful to avoid processed foods, dairy products (especially cow's milk), wheat products, sugar, fried and fatty foods, alcohol and it will be beneficial to include probiotics in your daily routine, as well as eating green leafy vegetables (the list of beneficial foods is likely to vary depending on the individual diagnosis however).  In addition, starting the day with lemon in hot water or wheat grass or a green juice will help stimulate the liver's ability to rid your body of toxins, which may also in turn help your skin.

Other helpful treatments
In some cases a food allergy test will isolate foods that may cause the problem.  To alleviate the symptoms topically you may find that creams and moisturisers with calendula, yarrow, lavender or chamomile are helpful in reducing the irritation.

Allergy Season is Back!

Spring is here and although most of us are rejoicing at the smell of orange blossoms and blooms in our gardens, those of us suffering from hay fever are most likely dreading this time of year! A time of growth in nature, spring is associated in Chinese medicine to the Wood element and when out of balance this time can give rise to irritations, which with hay fever usually begins at our nose and can travel, according to Chinese medicine, in eight directions! (east, west, south, north, in, out, up and down) to cause itchy eyes, sinusitis, headaches, sore throat, ear congestion, dizziness and infections.

Allergies are due to a hypersensitivity of our immune system to air-borne substances such as pollens, dust, dust mites, animal fur, feathers, spores, moulds, plants and chemicals. The condition is commonly called allergic rhinitis with symptoms of running nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and sore throat. If it affects the trachea and the lungs it may cause shortness of breath, chest congestion, wheezing and asthma. In severe cases hay fever can turns into a sinus infection.

Treatment

Avoiding allergens can keep the symptoms at bay but it is often hardly practical. Conventional therapies include antihistamines, decongestants, oral steroids, and corticosteroid sprays, bronchodilator inhaler, and allergy injections. However, these are not always sufficient and may have side effects over the long term.  Sometimes, using a combination of natural remedies and alternative treatments such as acupuncture may be all you need to relieve the symptoms.

Chinese medicine views the cause of allergies as an imbalance of our organ system. This imbalance can be caused by excessive stress in our life, poor dietary choices, sluggish digestion or hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. A return to a state of balance, often through acupuncture as well as changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, leads to an improvement of the allergies.

For more information on managing your allergies naturally you can also read:
- Spring, the hayfever season where you will find our 10 tips to reduce your exposure to pollen
- Beating your allergies naturally, using acupuncture, diet and detoxing your liver

Tips

Sleep: a good night of sleep helps to calm our nerves and reduce our hypersensitivity, including to allergens. Most adults need about eight hours of restful sleep, while children need nine to ten hours.

Regular exercise: helps improve blood circulation, relax the nervous system and strengthen our immune system.

A home remedy of saline drainage can also be helpful in some situations. Mix three teaspoonfuls of salt with warm water. In the shower, tilt your head back and slowly pour the saline water into your nostrils. It may burn initially, but you may also feel better in the morning when you wake up.

Acupressure: A frequently used point, Large Intestine 20, located right next to both sides of the nose, in the groove beside each nostril, is an effective point for sinus allergy (see image below for location). Massages can also be applied on this point by using both index finger, applying steady, penetrating finger pressure to both points for three minutes every half hour until symptoms get better.

Herbs such as stinging nettle, chrysanthemum, angelica or magnolia, can be used for sinus allergy and infection.

Preventive measures are often the most effective and should be considered as the allergy season begins.  This can include acupuncture as well as lifestyle changes if necessary.