Your Stories - Acupuncture

Acupuncture Helped my Eczema and Asthma - Sharon, Muelheim a. d. Ruhr, Germany

I had asthma and severe atopic eczema since I was very small. Asthma was gone when I was at around 10 years old but eczema has never left me. It was under control with cortisone cream and antihistamines tablets for the last 10 years.

Since last year the problem has gone severe. And the last 2 months was the worst. It was mostly on my face and neck. My skin was red, itchy, swelling and peeling off. I had to wake up in the middle of the night coz I was too itchy. My dermatologist cannot help much but prescribing cortisone tablets, cream, doing allergy tests (blood, patch and pick test). With 15 mg steroid tablet, my allergy was under control. But I was very depressed because I had to take back steroid tablets that I have done it for years.

Since last month I have undergone acupuncture in parallel. I had 7 treatments (2 twice per week) so far and it starts getting better after the 5th time. And I gradually reduced the steroid tablet from 15mg (4 weeks ago) to 0 mg (since last Thursday)!!!! I start taking back antihistamines tablet when reducing the steroid tablet to a level of 5mg but I haven't used the steroid creams the dermatologist prescribed me. I still have some mild itchy and red spots on my neck, face, and a bit on my arms, but comparing to what I got before, it is nothing and I can stand it without steroid cream.

I have heard about acupuncture for some times (even the time when I was still living in Hong Kong), but I was skeptical (my parents especially) and I am the type of person who is very afraid of needle/injection. I regret that I didn't try this earlier. Perhaps my skin would have been thicker by using less steroid cream.

If you ask me, I will say why not give a try. But look for a good/famous acupuncturist who have enough knowledge, experience and qualification. A year ago, I was at one allergist/dermatologist who provided acupuncture treatment as well, but he told me that acupuncture cannot help in my case. (July 2007) Contact Sharon

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