Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure Combined With Antihistamines in Patients With Wind-Heat Type Urticaria.

Overview

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does true auricular acupressure combined with Loratadine reduce urticaria symptoms (measured by the Urticaria Activity Score - UAS) more effectively than sham acupressure with Loratadine? * Does the intervention improve the patients' quality of life (measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index - DLQI) better than the control treatment? * Are there any adverse effects associated with the auricular acupressure treatment during the intervention period? Participants will: * Take a standard daily dose of oral Loratadine (10mg). * Visit the clinic once a week for 4 weeks to have Vaccaria seed patches applied to their ear (either true therapeutic points or sham points, depending on their assigned group). * Self-stimulate the acupoints by pressing the patches for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day at home. * Record their daily urticaria symptoms (wheals and pruritus) using the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS). * Complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the 4-week study period.

This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial designed to assess the therapeutic effects of auricular acupressure in patients with Wind-Heat type urticaria. The study will recruit 66 eligible patients at the Dermatology Department of Le Van Thinh Hospital. Participants will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (33 patients per group): * Intervention Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo true auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds (Vương bất lưu hành) will be taped to five specific acupoints: Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6), Endocrine (CO18), Adrenal (TG2), and Lung (CO14). * Control Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo sham auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds will be taped to five non-therapeutic points: Helix 2 (HX10), Shoulder (SF4), Eye (LO5), Clavicle (SF6), and Tooth (LO1). Study Procedures: \- In both groups, the auricular acupressure patches will be applied by a qualified practitioner. Patients will be instructed to stimulate the acupoints by pressing each patch for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily. The patches will remain on one ear for 7 days. At weekly follow-up visits, the old patches will be removed, and new patches will be applied to the opposite ear. The total intervention period is 4 weeks (4 sessions). Outcome Assessments: * Primary Outcome: The primary efficacy measure is the reduction in clinical symptoms, assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7). Patients will self-evaluate their daily wheals and pruritus, and the total score will be recorded weekly from baseline (T0) to week 4 (T1, T2, T3, T4). * Secondary Outcome: The impact on the patients' quality of life will be evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. This will be assessed at baseline (T0) and at the end of the 4-week treatment period (T4). * Safety Monitoring: Any adverse events associated with auricular acupressure (such as local pain, bleeding, skin infection, cartilage damage, fainting, or vertigo) will be closely monitored, recorded, and managed appropriately during the 30-minute post-application observation period and throughout the 4-week study duration.