Introduction
Urticaria is a commonly encountered allergic dermatosis due to eating fish, shrimps and crabs; or due to stinging of flies and injection of animal serum; or due to con-tact with pollen, nettle and certain chemicals; or due to stimulation of cold or hot air. The clinical manifestations are different-sized red or pale urticaria and abnormal pruritus with sudden onset and sudden disappearance. Acute case may heal in several days, while chronic case may linger for months and years. Urticaria is usually caused by retention of exogenous pathogenic wind-cold or wind-heat in the skin; or by excessive intake of greasy food leading to retention of endogenous damp-heat in the skin.
Syndrome Differentiation
1. Exogenous Pathogenic Wind
Sudden onset, occurrence or aggravation after attack of wind-cold or heat, accompanied by aversion to cold, fever, aching limbs, thin and white tongue fur and floating pulse.
2. Accumulation of Heat in the Stomach and Intestines
Urticaria is usually caused by excessive eating of fish and shrimps or drinking of alcohol, accompanied by epigastric and abdominal pain, or nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, yellow and greasy tongue fur, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment
1. Body Acupuncture
Prescription:
Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10), Weizhong (BL 40) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
Modification:
For exogenous pathogenic wind syndrome, Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengchi (GB 20) are added; for accumulation of heat in the stomach and intestines, Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) are added; for nausea and vomiting, Neiguan (PC 6) is added; for abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, Tianshu (ST 25) is added.
Performance:
Reducing needling technique is used and Weizhong (BL 40) can be pricked for bloodletting.
2. Ear Acupuncture
Prescription:
Fengxi (SF1, Zi), Lung (CO14), Ear Shenmen (TF4), Spleen (CO13) and Endocrine (CO18).
Performance:
Each time 2 - 3 acupoints are selected, medium and strong stimulation is required. The needles are retained for 30 minutes and the needling is done once a day.