An update of fire needle acupuncture for acute herpes zoster and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia in adults

Abstract

Background: Herpes zoster, is one of the most familiar skin diseases in conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in 2018 showed that fire needle acupuncture can relieve the pain caused by herpes zoster quickly and prevent the outcome of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), with little side effects. The purpose of this study is to update the systematic review with the latest evidence. Methods: Four English (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM) will be searched dating until 30 June 2020 for randomized controlled trials with no language restrictions. In addition, a hand search of the reference lists of included studies will also be done. Adults (aged 18–70) with acute herpes zoster (less than 7 days) using fire needle acupuncture will be included. Pairs of researchers will independently conduct the search, screen titles and abstracts, retrieve full texts of potentially eligible studies, assess the risk of bias, and conduct date extraction and synthesis. If there is any discrepancy in the whole process, consult a third researcher. For meta-analysis, the primary outcome is the pain intensity (visual analogue scale [VAS] pain scale; pain relieve of 30%, duration of pain), and the second outcome is incidence of PHN. A sequential analysis will be done to test the robustness of results of meta-analysis. The quality of evidence will be assessed using GRADE system. Results: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: This study will provide the latest systematic review and meta-analysis of fire needle acupuncture for acute herpes zoster and prevention of PHN.

Unexpected consequences of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: scabies infestation

“…Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that fire acupuncture can relieve neuropathic pain, and in many Asian countries, acupuncture has been used as one of the methods to relieve herpes zoster nerve pain. 1,2 However, the patterns left on the skin by the needles may lead to diagnostic confusion.…”

“…The policy within our department is to repeat topical therapy with concomitant treatment of close contacts and advice on washing clothing/bedding, is usually successful and in line with best practice. 1,2 We reserve systemic therapy for those who, despite this, have evidence of new burrows (i.e. not persistent itch).…”

“…Correctly applied, this treatment is usually effective. 1,2 Oral ivermectin is occasionally used off-licence in cases that have failed topical therapy or in case of crusted scabies. 2 However, we observed a significant increase in scabies requiring systemic ivermectin in our region from March 2020 to July 2021, compared with the average for the same period over the previous 4 years.…”

Fire Needling Acupuncture for Adult Patients with Acute Herpes Zoster: Protocol of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A recently published systematic review protocol is proposed to evaluate the treatment effects of fire needling acupuncture for acute HZ. 51 In this study, the authors will also include the combination of fire needling acupuncture with other acupuncture therapies such as electroacupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, bloodletting, etc. The outcome measures will be limited to pain intensity and incidence of PHN.…”

Tattoo-like dermatitis left after fire-needle therapy

“…Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that fire acupuncture can relieve neuropathic pain, and in many Asian countries, acupuncture has been used as one of the methods to relieve herpes zoster nerve pain. 1,2 However, the patterns left on the skin by the needles may lead to diagnostic confusion. A man in his 60s developed scattered tense bullae on acral surfaces along with an urticated rash on the trunk (Figs 1 and 2).…”