OBJECTIVETo observe the differences in the therapeutic effects on chronic perianal eczema between auricular point sticking therapy and auricular sticking pseudo-press therapy on the basis of the treatment with western medication.

METHODSNinety patients were randomized into an auricular therapy group and an auricular pseudo-press therapy group (pseudo group), 45 cases in each one. The western medication was used in both of the groups. In the auricular therapy group, the auricular sticking method with semen vaccariae was added at Fengxi (SF), Shenshangxian (TG), Duipingjian (AT), Fei (CO), Pi (CO), Gangmen (HX). The patients were advised to press each auricular point every day. In the pseudo group, the plaster was applied to the same auricular points without semen vaccariae used and pressing manipulation given. The auricular sticking therapy was used once every three days in the two groups. The treatment for 2 weeks was as one session and one or two sessions of treatment were given accordingly. The severity of perianal itching, the area of skin lesion, the form of skin lesion and the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The adverse reaction and recurrence rate in 1-year follow-up visit were observed during treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the itching degree, the area of skin lesion, the form of skin lesion and DLQI score were all reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all<0.05). The results in the auricular sticking therapy group were better than those in the pseudo group (all<0.05). The curative and markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the auricular sticking therapy group were apparently better than those in the pseudo group[52.3% (23/44) vs 19.0% (8/42), 97.7% (43/44) vs 76.2% (32/42), both<0.05]. The recurrence rate in the auricular sticking therapy group was lower apparently than that in the pseudo group[7.0% (3/43) vs 37.5% (12/32),<0.05]. No severe adverse reactions were found during the treatment in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe auricular sticking therapy combined with western medication effectively release itching in chronic perianal eczema and local skin lesions, improve the living quality and reduce recurrence rate.