Effective Risk Management of Metal Allergy in Acupuncture through Collaboration with Medical Specialists: A Case Report

• Published in: THE JOURNAL OF BALNEOLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY AND PHYSICAL MEDICINE Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 88 - 96
• Main Authors: SAKAMOTO, Ayumi, KIKUCHI, Tomokazu, SEKIYA, Takashi, TAKEJI, Masaaki, FUJITA, Yosuke, YAMAGUCHI, Satoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine 25.05.2025; 一般社団法人 日本温泉気候物理医学会
• Subjects: acupuncture; metal allergy (nickel allergy); resin contact needle; risk management; titanium press tack needle; チタン製円皮鍼; リスクマネジメント; 樹脂製接触鍼; 金属アレルギー（ニッケルアレルギー）; 鍼
• ISSN: 0029-0343; 1884-3697
• DOI: 10.11390/onki.2364

  Introduction: Stainless steel needles are mainly used in acupuncture treatment, but material considerations are crucial for patients with metal allergies. This report presents a case of acupuncture treatment administered without inducing allergic symptoms in the patient, achieved through effective collaboration with medical specialists.  Case: The patient was a 35-year-old woman. Complaints were menstrual symptoms, neck and lumbar pain, the former appeared after the birth of her second child at the age of 24, and the latter was felt chronically. She visited our department because she wanted to receive kampo medicine and acupuncture treatment. It was also reported that she had metal allergy symptoms. Therefore, after consultation with the allergist of our department, a full examination was requested at the dermatology department. In the meantime, our department suspected PMS, PMDD, and muscular or joint pain. First, we started acupuncture treatment using titanium press tack needles and resin contact needles to address muscular or joint pain, taking metal allergies into consideration. The frequency was once every two weeks. One month later, a patch test result was positive for nickel. Nevertheless, she still requested acupuncture treatment, and we consulted with the allergist regarding her case. Then, with her consent, the silicone-coated stainless steel acupuncture needles were inserted into the distal part of the limbs and remained in place for 15 min. During this time, we observed her skin and instructed her to closely monitor it and report any changes at her next visit. From the fifth treatment onward, additional acupuncture needles were placed in the neck and lumbar region, all without any allergic symptoms being observed.  Discussion and Conclusion: In this case, acupuncture treatment was performed safely in the medical cooperation. In the future, we would like to further examine the establishment of acupuncture treatment with high safety for patients with metal allergy symptoms and collaboration with medical specialists.