The fire needle therapy is a distinctive external treatment method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has proven effective in treating vitiligo, reducing adverse reactions, shortening treatment time, and is well tolerated by patients.
The fire needle is a treatment method that involves needling the affected skin areas, which helps to unblock the meridians and harmonize Qi and blood, suitable for the stationary phase of vitiligo.
Method: After routine skin disinfection, ignite an alcohol lamp. Hold the alcohol lamp in the left hand and a 1-inch filiform needle in the right hand. Heat the needle body with the alcohol lamp until the needle tip glows red and white. Quickly perform shallow and light needling in the vitiligo area with a density of (0.2-0.3) cm. After treatment, avoid water contact for one day, disinfect with iodine tincture, and repeat weekly for a total of 10 sessions as one treatment course. Currently, fire needle therapy is often combined with herbal medicine for treating vitiligo, showing significant efficacy.
Mechanism of Action:
1. The fire needle stimulates melanocytes, promotes local Qi and blood circulation, dilates capillaries, enhances blood circulation, increases nutrient supply, activates tyrosinase activity, and promotes melanin production.
2. It allows for rapid and deeper drug penetration; after fire needling, the micro-holes in the affected area enable topical medications to penetrate deeper into the skin, enhancing drug absorption.
3. The warmth and meridian stimulation from the fire needle can stimulate the local skin lesions or acupoints, unblock the meridians, harmonize Qi and blood, and increase Yang Qi in the body, supporting the righteous Qi, invigorating the meridian Qi, and regulating the organs, thus achieving the effect of warming the meridians and dispelling cold.
Precautions:
1. It can be combined with conventional treatments during the stable phase of vitiligo; caution is advised during the active phase to avoid inducing Koebner phenomenon.
2. For children or those with a fear of pain, conventional treatments should be considered. Children or individuals with a strong pain response may fear fire needle therapy, and forcing treatment can have adverse effects on both body and mind, which is not beneficial for recovery.
3. After fire needling, it is essential to avoid contact with water to prevent infection. Although fire needle treatments are generally performed under sterile conditions, improper care of the micro-holes post-needling can lead to infection. It is generally recommended to avoid water and scratching the affected area for two to three days after treatment, and to avoid spicy and irritating foods.
Currently, fire needle therapy is considered an adjunct treatment. During the treatment process, one should not blindly follow; some hospitals have also introduced fractional laser devices, which have a similar mechanism of action. However, fractional laser treatments are slightly more expensive than fire needle therapy, but they are faster, less painful, and safer. They are generally applied in the stationary phase of vitiligo or in stubborn areas in conjunction with phototherapy, depending on the actual situation and the projects offered by the hospital.
References
[1] Su Yinmei, Zhou Meng, Li Wenjie, Wang Qicheng, Deng Hanjie, Zhou Yuyuan. Clinical research progress of fire needle therapy for vitiligo. Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2019; 36(05): 662
[2] Gao Xuewen, Guo Fei, Fu Haiyan, Liu Hongxia. Research progress on external treatment of vitiligo in TCM. Journal of External Treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2019; 28(05): 64-65
[3] Liu Fang, Li Shujun, Dou Lili. TCM diagnosis and treatment ideas for vitiligo. Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2020; 42(01): 38-39
