Fifty six cases of acne treated by auricular needle-embedding

By: Huixian, Hou

Fifty Six Cases of Acne Treated by Auricular Needle-Embedding, by Hou Huixian et al: 8 males and 48 females, aged between 16-42 years, suffering from acne from between 6 months and 4 years, were treated with auricular acupuncture using Endocrine, Lung, Stomach and Cheek points. Most cases (31) were papular acne, but for the 19 pustular type cases, Heart and Adrenals were added, for the 5 cystic acne cases Spleen was added and Subcortex used for the single case of nodular acne. Ring-form needles were applied unilaterally and kept in situ for 3-5 days with adhesive plaster. The patient was asked to press the needles 3-5 times a day. A course of 5 sessions using alternating sides was performed one to five times. A paste of San Huang San was also applied for 20 minutes. A cure rate of 70% was obtained, and improvement of symptoms in a further 21% of cases.