Study: Acupuncture relieves eczema

December 22, 2009 Eczema is a general term for conditions marked by inflammation and dry, red, itchy patches on the skin. The most common form is atopic eczema.

This study in the online journal Allergy found that the therapy, when done minutes after a patient's skin was exposed to an allergen, appeared to soothe feelings of itchiness.

Also, when patients were exposed to the allergen for a second time shortly after the acupuncture session, they tended to have a less severe skin reaction.