Cupping is a common traditional Chinese medicine therapy for health maintenance. Many people now choose cupping for wellness, but blisters often appear on the skin afterward. Why does this happen? Don't worry—we'll explain in detail why cupping causes blisters and what to do about them.
Why Do Blisters Form After Cupping?
In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is an external physical method to expel toxins from the body. The formation of blisters essentially involves "fluid accumulation" beneath the skin. Under negative pressure, pathological substances like phlegm, fluid retention, dampness, and excess water penetrate the subcutaneous tissue, entering and accumulating in the skin, thus forming blisters.
After cupping, besides petechiae or bruising, some patients develop blisters. This primarily stems from the following reasons:
1. Prolonged cupping duration. This varies by individual and constitution.Some individuals may undergo 20-30 minutes of cupping without blistering, while others develop blisters within 5-10 minutes. Therefore, the initial cupping session should be shorter. Once the patient's condition is better understood, the duration can be appropriately extended.
2. The patient has a significant accumulation of wind, cold, dampness, and damp-toxin, with dampness being the most prominent. Blistering is also a manifestation of pathogenic factors being expelled. Occasionally, small droplets may appear on the cupping jar walls, which is another sign of dampness.
3. Excessively high cup temperature, though this is a minor possibility. During flash cupping, if the cup becomes overly heated, prolonged application may increase blistering risk.
4. Variation by body area. Even on the same person, some sites may remain unaffected while others develop blisters. Generally, the back, flanks, and buttocks are more prone to blistering.
5. Excessive suction intensity exceeding the body's tolerance.
The size and number of blisters largely reflect the body's accumulation of phlegm, fluid retention, and dampness. Prominent, numerous white blisters with cool surrounding skin indicate a cold-damp pattern. Less prominent, fewer blisters with a pale yellow or cloudy appearance and warm surrounding skin suggest a damp-heat pattern.
What to do if blisters form after cupping
After disinfecting with standard iodine tincture and alcohol, use a syringe to puncture the edge of the blister and draw out the fluid. Apply gentian violet afterward; no bandaging is necessary. If infection occurs, take antibacterial medication.
For unbroken blisters after cupping, try these traditional Chinese medicine topical remedies:
1. Salt (1 part) and cooled boiled water (2 parts). Mix salt into water, soak gauze, then apply to the burn/scald area. Change frequently.
2. Raw rhubarb (appropriate amount).Grind the rhubarb into a fine powder, mix with an appropriate amount of sesame oil to form a paste, apply to the affected area, cover with gauze, and change the dressing once daily.
This concludes our explanation of why blisters form during cupping and how to address them. We hope you now have a clearer understanding. May our guidance prove helpful, and we wish you happiness and good health.