Discussion on the treatment of seborrheic alopecia with acupuncture and moxibustion based on the theory of zhuoxie haiqing

Seborrheic alopecia is a common refractory disease in dermatology. It is characterized by greasy scalp and hair loss, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Based on the theory of zhuoxie haiqing (turbid pathogens impairing the clear), it is proposed that spleen and stomach dysfunction and endogenous dampness and turbidity are the root causes of the disease, and the symptoms of disease result from the upward-invasion of turbid pathogens and stagnation of damp heat. In clinical practice, the in-row and fire needling with filiform needles is used to eliminate the turbid pathogens, and promote meridian circulation and hair growth, bloodletting technique is operated to reduce the turbid heat from the governor vessel, and Wang's "ten-acupoint needling" therapy is delivered to regulate the function in the middle jiao to block the source of turbid pathogens. The paper provides a new insight to the pathogenesis of seborrheic alopecia and its treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion.