As autumn winds blow, it’s time to eat crabs. Be careful of allergies and go to the pharmacy

This is the 3403th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Every autumn, there is a trend of eating crabs. However, many people who eat crabs for the first time also suffer from skin allergies and hives due to this delicious and tender crab.

Urticaria is an allergic skin disease in Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called hidden rash, which is a disease characterized by the appearance of wheals on the skin accompanied by itching, and is also called "urticaria" or "urticaria".

1. Clinical symptoms

1. Skin itching often occurs first, followed by the appearance of wheals, which are bright red or pale, skin-colored, and a few patients have edematous erythema. Sometimes combined with angioedema, bullae form on the surface of the wheals.

2. Wheals are often generalized or localized, with varying sizes and shapes. They may gradually spread and merge into patches.

3. The onset time is irregular, often recurring in batches, and is more common in the evening. It often lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, and in a few cases it can last for a few days before disappearing without leaving any trace.

4. Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, headache, head swelling, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severe patients may also have systemic symptoms such as chest tightness, discomfort, pale complexion, accelerated heart rate, weak pulse, decreased blood pressure, and shortness of breath.

5. If the disease is cured in a short period of time, it is called acute urticaria. If it recurs at least twice a week for more than 6 weeks, it is called chronic urticaria. Acute urticaria develops rapidly and subsides quickly. Chronic urticaria often recurs and is difficult to cure.

2. Etiology and pathogenesis

The cause of urticaria is very complicated, and about 3/4 of patients cannot find the cause, especially chronic urticaria. In traditional Chinese medicine, the disease is located in the skin and the basic pathogenesis is the disharmony of the Ying and Wei, and the evil is trapped in the skin. Its occurrence is often related to factors such as physical weakness, loose skin, wind evil invasion, or eating fish, shrimp and meat. Therefore, paying attention to strengthening the physical fitness and adjusting the diet is the key to preventing this disease.

3. Acupuncture therapy

Acupuncture and moxibustion are clinically effective in treating this disease. According to its etiology and pathogenesis, we often use the following therapies to dispel wind and heat, nourish blood and moisten dryness, so as to eliminate wind masses and cure the disease.

1. Acupuncture

Select acupoints such as Quchi, Hegu, Xuehai, Weizhong, Geshu, etc., and use fine needles to shallowly puncture. For acute cases, 1-2 times a day, and for chronic cases, once every other day.

2. Bloodletting

The Weizhong and Geshu points can be punctured to induce bleeding.

3. Cupping

Cupping is done at the Shenque point, leaving the cup for 5 minutes before removing it, and repeated 3 times, or flash cupping is used until local blood congestion is achieved. This method is suitable for acute urticaria and is effective quickly.

4. Acupoint injection

Quchi, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao and other acupoints are often used. Two acupoints are selected alternately each time, and 5% angelica injection is used, with 2 ml injected into each acupoint.

5. Acupoint Thread Embedding Therapy

The Dazhui, Feishu, Geshu, Quchi, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao and other acupoints can be treated with catgut implantation. Choose 2-3 acupoints each time. This method is suitable for chronic urticaria.

4. Commonly used acupoints

1. Quchi Point

Location: In the elbow area, in the depression at the midpoint of the line connecting Chize and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

2. Hegu

Location: On the dorsum of the hand, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal bone.

3. Xuehai Cave

Location: In the anterior thigh area, 2 inches above the medial end of the patellar base, at the bulge of the vastus medialis muscle. Simple acupoint location: Cover the patella with the palm of your hand, with the thumb at a 45-degree angle to the palm, and the tip of your thumb is the acupoint.

4. Weizhong Point

Location: Behind the knee, midpoint of the popliteal crease.

5. Diaphragmatic point

Location: In the spinal column, 1.5 inches lateral to the posterior midline below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra.

6. Feishu

Location: In the spinal column, inferior to the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches lateral to the posterior midline.

7. Dazhui

Location: In the spinal column, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, on the posterior midline.

8. Sanyinjiao

Location: On the inner side of the calf, 3 inches above the tip of the inner ankle, and on the posterior edge of the inner edge of the tibia.

9. Shenque

Location: In the umbilical region, center of the navel.

5. Tips

1. Acupuncture is effective in treating this disease, but some chronic cases are difficult to cure.

2. Patients should avoid wind and cold, avoid eating fish, shrimp, crab, spicy food, etc., eat a light diet and stay away from allergens.

3. You should develop good hygiene habits, pay attention to personal hygiene, avoid washing the affected area with hot water, reduce scratching, and it is best to wear loose cotton clothes.

4. Keep bowel movements smooth and maintain a happy mood. Emotional factors also have a certain impact on this disease.

Author: School of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine

Professor Chang Xiaorong's team

Written by: Liang Zhiyi, M.Sc.

Supervisor: Professor Chang Xiaorong