Adding Auricular Acupuncture to Xiao-Feng-San Decoction for Treating Atopic Dermatitis

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD) according to the American Academy ofDermatology guidelines and classified as mild to moderate.

• Classified under Traditional Medicine as exhibiting wind-dampness-heatmanifestations and prescribed Xiao-Feng-San decoction.

• Voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of other active skin diseases or skin infections requiring systemictreatment within the past four weeks or that would interfere with the properassessment of atopic dermatitis lesions.

• Use of systemic therapy for AD, including but not limited to corticosteroids,methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine, phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4)inhibitors, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and mycophenolate mofetil within the past fourweeks.

• Use of targeted biologic treatments within the past five half-lives (if known) orwithin the past 12 weeks, whichever is longer.

• Use of phototherapy treatment, laser therapy, tanning booth sessions, or extendedsun exposure that could affect disease severity or interfere with diseaseassessments within the past four weeks.

• Use of systemic anti-infectives within the past four weeks.

• Use of herbal medicine within the past 12 weeks.

• Use of topical treatments for AD, including but not limited to topicalcorticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), or topicalphosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors within the past one week.

• History of alcohol or substance addiction within the past six months.

• Prior experience with acupuncture.

• Presence of existing injuries or lesions at the auricular acupoints underinvestigation in this study.

• Concurrent participation in other clinical trials or use of other therapies for AD.

• Pregnancy, lactation, or planning to become pregnant within approximately 12 weeksafter the intervention.

• Any history or current conditions that, in the investigator's assessment, wouldimpede the participant's involvement in the study, the adherence to treatment, theevaluation of treatment efficacy, or pose risks to the participant during the studyparticipation.