Volume 1,Issue 3
Clinical Application of Fire Needle Therapy in Dermatological Diseases: A Research Progress
The clinical treatment of skin disorders follows the principle of “internal and external dual therapy” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Fire needle therapy, as a millennium-old traditional external treatment method, has been widely used in dermatology due to its advantages of simple operation, significant efficacy, low cost, and high safety. This paper systematically reviewed relevant literature from the past five years (2020–2025) to analyze the clinical efficacy of fire needle therapy in common skin diseases such as acne, folliculitis, herpes zoster, flat warts, psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, neurodermatitis, and nodular prurigo. The focus was on exploring its mechanisms of action and therapeutic advantages, aiming to provide theoretical evidence for optimizing clinical treatment strategies.
[1] Zhang Y, Wu S, He X, et al., 2025, A Randomized Controlled Trial of Filiform Fire Needle Praising Technique for Treating Acute Herpes Zoster with Liver Channel Depression-Heat Pattern. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 40(7):3975–3979.
[2] Gao N, Guo Y, Yan S, et al., 2024, Observation on the Analgesic Effect of Painless Filiform Fire Needle in the Treatment of Acute Herpes Zoster. Modern Chinese Clinical Medicine, 31(6):21–25.
[3] Yang W, Zhao T, Hu J, et al., 2023, Observation on the Efficacy of Fire Needle Combined with Acne Mixture in the Treatment of Preadolescent Acne. China Medical Cosmetology, 13(10):59–62.
[4] Bao J, Sun Z, Zhang J, et al., 2024, Observation on the Effect of Fire Needle Combined with Compound Cortex Phellodendri Lotion Wet Compress in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne. Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine, 33(4):112–115.
[5] Sheng R, Li L, Shi Z, 2023, Observation on the Clinical Efficacy of Thick Fire Needle Local Pricking in the Treatment of Flat Warts. Xinjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 41(2):10–11.
[6] Yang G, Wang X, Fu L, et al., 2023, Observation on the Clinical Efficacy of Flat-Headed Fire Needle in the Treatment of Flat Warts. Ningxia Medical Journal, 45(12):1143–1145.
[7] He P, Zhao M, Liu L, 2025, Clinical Efficacy of Fire Needle in the Treatment of Eczema Patients. Reflexology and Rehabilitation Medicine, 6(10):53–56.
[8] Ge H, An Y, Xu J, et al., 2025, Effect of Electro-Fire Needle on Skin Lesions and Skin Barrier Function in Chronic Eczema Model Mice. World Chinese Medicine, 20(10):1762–1767.
[9] Ming H, Xie H, 2021, Clinical Observation of Fine Fire Needle in the Treatment of Neurodermatitis. Chinese Medicine Modern Distance Education of China, 19(1):129–131.
[10] Wang Y, Shi X, Zhang Y, et al., 2021, Observation on the Efficacy of Fire Needle Combined with Medication for Neurodermatitis and Its Effect on Serum Inflammatory Factor Expression. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 40(8):968–973.
[11] Zhao X, Liu H, Guo F, 2025, Study on the Effect and Immunological Mechanism of Filiform Fire Needle in the Treatment of Vitiligo Based on the Theory of Treating Cold with Heat. Shanghai Medical & Pharmaceutical Journal, 46(8):16–19.
[12] Li J, Zeng J, Liang X, et al., 2023, Lingnan Fire Needle Inhibits Melanocyte Apoptosis in Vitiligo Model Mice by Regulating the Hippo-YAP Signaling Pathway. Journal of Sun Yat-sen University (Medical Sciences), 44(2):244–253.
[13] Jiang L, Cai L, Zhang F, et al., 2024, Clinical Efficacy of Fire Needle Bloodletting in the Treatment of Malassezia Folliculitis. Jilin Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 44(1):106–110.
[14] Chu X, Guo Y, Gao N, et al., 2023, A Case of Filiform Fire Needle Combined With “Old Ten Needles” in the Treatment of Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscedens et Suffodiens. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 43(1):72.
[15] Liu J, Qian J, He J, et al., 2023, Observation on the Clinical Efficacy of Filiform Fire Needle Combined with Huoxue Huayu Decoction in the Treatment of Psoriasis With Blood Stasis Syndrome. Chinese Journal of Dermatovenerology of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 22(6):531–534.
[16] Li J, Chen R, Shi G, et al., 2025, Observation on the Clinical Efficacy of Lingnan Fire Needle in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis. Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 42(2):382–389.