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POSTER
PRESENTATIONS
Korean
Hand Acupuncture For Acute Treatment
Of Severe Atopic Dermatitis In Young Children
Youngran Chung, MD
R. Charles Dumont, MD
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of Korean Hand Acupuncture for treating atopic dermatitis
in a pediatric setting.
PROBLEM
Two young children with atopic dermatitis: ages 13 mo. and 4 yrs.
History of Present Illness
Case 1
Onset of atopic dermatitis occurred at age 2 months. Dry, erythematous,
pruritic patches presented on the child's back (concentrated more over
the superior border of the scapulae), upper extremities (especially
the dorsum of the hands and fingers), and lower extremities, including
the feet.
A dermatologist was treating the patient. Improvement of the condition
was achieved only with daily topical steroids, which required application
up to 10 times per day.
Case 2
Onset of atopic dermatitis occurred at age 2 years. Extremely pruritic,
erythematous, dry, excoriated, and bleeding patches were located on
the upper and lower extremities, concentrated primarily along the small
intestinal channel on the forearm. Patches were also on the patient's
upper back and over the cheeks.
A dermatologist was treating the patient. The condition improved in
the summer and was exacerbated in the winter. Exacerbations responded
only to oral steroids.
Medical History
Case 1
Patient was born small for gestational age, but was gaining weight.
Bronchiolitis (respiratory syncytial virus negative) developed at age
12 months. The patient was prone to nasal congestion, secondary to posterior
nasal narrowing, and was allergic to peanuts (hives, dyspnea). No gastrointestinal
symptoms were reported.
Case 2
Hypercalciuria was diagnosed when patient was a toddler.
Family History
Case 1
Environmental allergies, asthma, Crohn's disease.
TREATMENT
The following points were used in the treatment of these patients:
-
BL 13:
Lung energy/organ disturbance, skin disorders. Regulates and promotes
circulation of LU Qi. Reduces Heat and expels Wind.
-
SI 3:
Skin diseases with pruritus. Opens Tai Yang channel.
-
HT 7:
Helps to move blood and Qi, relieving itching.
-
SP 10:
Skin disorders: urticaria, eczema, allergy, infectious disease.
Immune enhancing point.
-
LU 7:
Used for skin disorders. Tonifies LU energy and organ, and
addresses all problems of LU sphere of influence.
-
LI 4:
Urticaria and skin problems. Immune enhancing point.
-
LI 11:
Immune enhancing point. Expels Wind-Heat.
OUTCOME
Case 1
The 1st treatment resulted in significant improvement of lesions on
the hands. The 2nd treatment produced further improvement of lesions
on the extremities, with a concomitant reduction in the use of topical
steroids. No improvement was seen on the patient's back. In treatment
3, points BL 15 and SI 11 were added to address the upper back lesions.
There was improvement noted on the back patches, but hands were still
pruritic. The 4th treatment further improved lesions on the back and
legs; patches on the hands remained improved.
Case 2
The 1st treatment achieved an immediate decrease in pruritus, and a
mild reduction in extremity involvement. The 2nd treatment improved
lesions on the face, continued improvement of the extremities, but no
results on the patient's back. Treatment 3 achieved a 50% improvement
in patches on the patient's back. After treatment 4, the patient's back,
face, and legs were completely clear, and forearms improved by 80%-90%.
DISCUSSION
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children can be successfully treated
by use of individual points based on their indications and qualities.
Korean Hand Acupuncture is an effective system to stimulate these points
in young children. Given the chronic nature of atopic dermatitis, once
under control, the underlying root disorder should be corrected. Prospective
studies need to be done to determine if these treatments result in progressive
reduction of episodic eczema flare-ups. Long term follow-up is also
required to compare acupuncture results with the natural course of this
disease.
AUTHORS'
INFORMATION
Dr Youngran Chung is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical
Center in Maywood, Illinois. She is a Pediatric Pulmonologist and Director
of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center.
Youngran Chung,
MD
Loyola University Medical Center
2160 So 1st Ave
Maywood, IL 60153
Phone: 708-327-9073
Dr R. Charles
Dumont is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical Center
in Maywood, Illinois. He is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Director
of the Pediatric Complementary Center.
R. Charles Dumont,
MD
Loyola University Medical Center
2160 So 1st Ave
Maywood, IL 60153
Phone: 708-327-9073
E-mail: Cdumont@wpo.it.luc.edu
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