Can acupuncture help with eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition caused by inflammation, often linked to allergies like asthma and hay fever. Atopic eczema, the most prevalent form, usually begins in childhood but can also start in adulthood and often runs in families. It involves skin barrier alterations and heightened inflammatory responses. Triggers include soaps, detergents, allergens, and infections.

The term eczema, from the Greek word "to boil," describes symptoms such as red, dry, itchy skin that can become blistered and thickened. The main symptom is an itchy rash, which can severely impact sleep and cause irritability. Eczema can range from small patches to widespread inflammation, commonly affecting hands, elbows, knees, face, and scalp. Flare-ups can be triggered by heat, dust, wool, pets, soaps, cold, infections, teething, food allergies, and stress.

Acupuncture has shown effectiveness for atopic eczema. A study with 30 participants receiving four weeks of acupuncture showed symptom improvement. Another analysis of 434 participants across eight RCTs indicated acupuncture reduced itch intensity better than no treatment and was more effective than conventional medicine in reducing the eczema area and severity index (EASI) and improving overall symptoms.