A 2018 hives research study concluded that acupuncture outperformed Claritin for treating chronic urticaria (hives). Researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hei Long Jiang University of Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture plus moxibustion produced a 90% effective rate. In comparison, drug therapy using Claritin (an antihistamine) had a 72% effective rate.
Researchers conducted a three-month follow-up for all patients in the study and found that the acupuncture group had a lower relapse rate than the drug therapy group. Acupuncture’s relapse rate was 14%, while Claritin’s was 31%. Therefore, they concluded that acupuncture combined with moxibustion was more effective than drug therapy in the short and long term.
Study Participants
Fifty-eight patients with chronic urticaria participated in the hives research study. Investigators randomly divided them into an acupuncture plus moxibustion group and a drug group, each with 29 patients. The acupuncture plus moxibustion group received acupuncture combined with ginger moxibustion. In contrast, the drug group patients received one 10 mg Claritin tablet daily for four weeks.
The acupuncture plus moxibustion group included 14 males and 15 females with an average age of 35 years and disease course of 12.5 months. Similarly, the drug group included 13 males and 16 females, with an average age of 34 years and disease course of 11.9 months.
Acupuncture Points For Hives
All patients in the acupuncture group received the following bilateral acupoints:
- LI11 (Quchi)
- GB20 (Fengchi)
- LI4 (Hegu)
- CV17 (Danzhong)
- ST25 (Tianshu)
- LV3 (Taichong)
- SP10 (Xuehai)
- ST36 (Zusanli)
- SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
Hives Treatment Details
Practitioners in the hives research study used sterile, single-use, hair-thin needles. First, they activated each point with a deqi sensation (achy feeling at the site) and retained the needles for 30 minutes. Next, the acupuncturists applied moxibustion by placing a thin slice of raw ginger on the acupoint and burning a small mound of moxa on the ginger, creating a pleasant, warm sensation on the skin. Practitioners administered treatment three times a week for four weeks.
Categorizing Results
After both groups completed treatment, investigators categorized results into 1 of 4 tiers:
- Full Recovery: SSRI* (symptom score reduction index) ≥90%
- Significantly effective: 60%≤SSRI<90%
- Effective: 20%≤SSRI<60%
- Not effective: SSRI<20%
*SSRI = (total scores before treatment-total scores after treatment) / total scores before treatment × 100%
Hives Research Study Measurements
Researchers evaluated patients before and after treatment, utilizing the following subjective and objective instruments to measure patient outcomes:
- First, investigators measured the hives’ severity, including degrees of itching, the number and size of raised lumps, and characteristics of skin scratches.
- Second, they assessed the quality of life, including physiology, psychology, daily activities, sports, and social activities.
- Third, investigators recorded serum levels of total IgE, CCL26, and CCL27.
IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is an antibody that mediates the release of histamines. CCL26 and CCL27 are chemokines that promote the release of histamines and participate in allergic reactions. Therefore, tracking these levels helps providers accurately diagnose and treat urticaria.
Hives Study Outcomes
The acupuncture plus moxibustion group had a significantly higher effective rate than the drug control group. While both groups in the hives research study demonstrated improvements, the acupuncture group produced better urticaria severity scores, quality of life scores, and IgE, CCL26, and CCL27 serum levels. In addition, statistical analyses of outcomes demonstrated that the acupuncture group produced superior positive patient outcomes and lower relapse rates than the drug control group.
Next Steps
The practitioners at Raleigh Acupuncture have great success resolving hives and urticaria. We use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs and see quick and long-lasting results for our patients.
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Additional Hives Acupuncture Resources
Watch Video about our Hives Treatment.
Second Hives Acupuncture Research Study.
First Hives Acupuncture Case Study.
Second Hives Acupuncture Case Study.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Reference
Zhang HL, Yin HN, Liu C. Clinical Effect and Immune Mechanism of Acupuncture Combined with Ginger－Padded Moxibustion Treating Urticaria of Cold Pattern [J]. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2018, 34(7):18–21.
Focus Keyphrase: Hives Research Study
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What our Clients are Saying
My whole life I broke out in hives when I exercised. It was always the areas where I sweat. It would last the day and then clear up. Obviously something I could live with. But still a bother. My wife gave me an acupuncture treatment for my birthday (to relax) at Raleigh Acupuncture Associates. They asked if I had any issues and I just mentioned about the hives. They treated for that plus stress. I was really surprised the next time I ran because I didn’t break out as much. So I went back for some more sessions. After six appointments the rashes didn’t come up anymore. I don’t know what exactly they did, but it worked. I highly recommend them.
After I gave birth to my son I developed hives. They were triggered by stress. Medications didn’t help. I felt like I was losing my mind. The hives caused more stress, and the condition was getting worse and worse. I did some research on the internet and found Raleigh Acupuncture. After just three treatments my hives were 50% better. I continued treatment for a few months until they were 100% cured. It’s been six months since my last treatment and still no hives, even when I’m stressed. I’m very grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture. My whole family goes to them now because they are such good health care providers.
