Fire therapy is a popular traditional Chinese medicine health therapy nowadays, but many people often develop blisters on their skin after fire therapy, causing concern. How does this blistering happen and what should you do if you develop blisters?
Why do blisters form after fire therapy?
1. Heavy dampness
Under the heat generated by alcohol combustion, the pores of the skin open up, allowing the drugs applied along the meridians to penetrate into the body through the skin. At the same time, the pathogenic factors such as phlegm, food, water, and dampness in the body are expelled from the skin due to the tension, but the parts that do not dissipate in time remain in the skin, forming blisters. The size and quantity of the blisters reflect the degree of dampness in the body. When the blisters are large and numerous, it indicates a heavier dampness in the body.
2. Delayed fire extinguishing
If the fire is not extinguished promptly when the patient feels hot, and if the fire therapy requires repeated ignition and extinguishing, the patient may not feel the heat immediately after several repetitions, resulting in an increase in surface temperature and an increased likelihood of blistering.
3. Differences in body parts
Some parts of the body have more sensitive skin. For the same person undergoing fire therapy, some parts will not develop blisters, while other parts are more prone to blistering. The back, sides, and buttocks are more prone to blistering.
Treatment for blisters after fire therapy
Small blisters
If there are small individual blisters after fire therapy, you can leave them alone and let them absorb on their own, or you can apply some iodine locally. Because the human body has self-healing abilities, small blisters can heal on their own.
Large blisters
If larger blisters merge into a single area after fire therapy, you can disinfect the area with regular iodine or alcohol, use a syringe to puncture the edge of the blister to drain the fluid, and then apply some gentian violet.
Preventing blister infection
Drink plenty of water, keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection, and take anti-inflammatory medication promptly if an infection occurs.
How to prevent blisters from forming during fire therapy
During fire therapy, concentrate your attention and use an appropriate amount of medicinal liquid on the adhesive block.
The heat should be moderate, tolerable, and comfortable.
Spray alcohol according to the alcohol spraying diagram, ensuring an even distribution and avoiding spraying too close to the edge.
