• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2011

Objectives : The aims of this study were to evaluate a blister caused by cupping. Methods : We searched relevant case reports, survey, and review articles using databases of online bibliography. Results : 1. The fluid in the blister caused by cupping therapy is normal substance by laboratory analysis. The fluid has no signs of infection in the culture, Gram stain, or tissue biopsy 2. In histological finding, the blister caused by cupping therapy is made by dermo-epidermal seperation at subcellular level. Suction blistering was neither inflammatory nor autolysis activation of lysosomal hydrolases. 3. Blistering times directly, related to suction pressure. Suction blister formation time is accelerated in older subjects compared with younger individuals and higher temperature was more susceptable to the blister compared with lower temperature. The flexor aspect of forearm is a easy site for suction blister formation compared with leg and abdominal site. 4. Blister caused by cupping therapy is treated by regular and judicious changes of sterile dressing over several weeks. The vesicles healed well and left no visible scar. Conclusions : Blister caused by cupping therapy is artificially controlled by doctor's therapeutic purpose. Blister is not histologically injurious to health and the blister is a natural concomitant after cupping therapy.

• Korean journal of dermatology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.552-555
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• 2018

Vitiligo is a commonly acquired cutaneous depigmentation disorder that affects 0.5~1% of the population worldwide. While phototherapy is the primary treatment for vitiligo, surgical methods can be used for treating patients who are refractory to conventional treatments. Herein, we present the case of a 14-year-old Korean girl who developed vitiligo after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She had multiple depigmented patches on her lower legs that did not respond to narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy for 7 months. The depigmented patches were successfully treated by transplantation of non-cultured epidermal cell suspension from the epidermal roof of the suction blister in the right inner thigh. No adverse event, such as secondary infection or scarring in both the donor and recipient sites, was noted. We recommended that non-cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation using the suction blister method would be a safe and effective option for the treatment of refractory vitiligo.