Cupping (Hijama) in Skin diseases with positive Koebner’s Phenomenon: What is New?

Fatema A Al-Jaralla,Khalifa E Sharquie

doi:10.5799/jcei/5856

Fatema A Al-Jaralla, Khalifa E Sharquie

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5799/jcei/5856

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Abstract

Background: Cupping therapy is an ancient traditional and complementary medicine used in the treatment of a broad range of medical conditions. It is very popular in many countries, especially in China, Korea, and Japan. It is used in the Muslim world, as well as in North Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Cupping involves applying a heated cup to generate a partial vacuum that mobilizes the blood flow and promotes effective healing. Till now, there is no certain scientific base for using cupping in treating any medical problem especially skin diseases. Many skin diseases have tendency to appear at the site of injury or damage to the skin, the so called koebners phenomena. Our observation is that hijama induces skin diseases at the site of cupping in patients with skin dis-eases with koebner phenomenon. Objective: to present cases with koebner phenomenon after cupping with primary lesions seen at the site of cupping. Patients and method: a total of 24 male patients previously diagnosed with skin diseases; 16 with psoriasis, 6 with lichen planus, one patient with dermatitis herpetiformis, and one with seborrheic dermatitis. Results: All patients had stable skin diseases prior to cupping but new lesions appeared at the site of cupping around two weeks after the procedure. Conclusion: cupping should not be encouraged for skin diseases with positive koebner phenomenon commonly psoriasis and lichen planus and possibly contraindicated as till now there is no scientific basis for using this procedure.

Highlights

Cupping therapy (CT) is an ancient medical art practiced and sustained by various human civilizations
Patients and method: a total of 24 male patients previously diagnosed with skin diseases; 16 with psoriasis, 6 with lichen planus, one patient with dermatitis herpetiformis, and one with seborrheic dermatitis
Conclusion: cupping should not be encouraged for skin diseases with positive koebner phenomenon commonly psoriasis and lichen planus and possibly contraindicated as till there is no scientific basis for using this procedure

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Cupping therapy (CT) is an ancient medical art practiced and sustained by various human civilizations. Cupping of the cervical area may cause a hemorrhagic stroke by an acute rise in blood pressure [14] These adverse events should raise attention to the safety of cupping therapy. A total of 24 male patients previously diagnosed with skin diseases were seen during the period 2009 and 2019; 16 patients with psoriasis, six with lichen planus, one patient with dermatitis herpitiformis, and one with seborrheic dermatitis Their ages ranged between 25-40 years with mean 32.5. Patient with chronic stable psoriasis developed koebner phenomena on the back after cupping. A physical examination revealed circular plaques evenly spaced and of uniform size, most of the skin lesions took the shape of the small incisions done for bloodletting and all were similar to primary disease (Figure 5). The patients admitted to undergo wet cupping procedure within the past few weeks

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION