Press needle self-acupuncture needs caution in times of COVID-19: a case report of local skin infection following press needle application

Abstract

Acupuncture is known to be safe if used by trained practitioners. Inserting needles, however, exposes patients to risks including infection at the broken skin barrier and possible organ damage. A recent study reported that, among acupuncture-associated infections, 90% were associated with Mycobacterium or Staphylococcus,1 mainly caused by skin contact at the puncture sites. This supports the notion that clean needle technique can prevent most skin infections following acupuncture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many leading countries advised patients against nonessential in-person visits resulting in a surge in use of telehealth services and home-care therapies.2 Online search engine trends have also revealed an increasing interest in self-care methods.3 In the subject field of acupuncture, practitioners and patients alike have been exploring self-applicable devices. Press needles (1.5 mm in depth, 0.2 mm in diameter) were initially developed as a class 2 medical device for use by clinicians to elongate therapeutic duration in mild form, and have been introduced as a self-applicable treatment modality by patients with or without involvement of trained practitioners. Searches for such self-applicable modalities have skyrocketed, and promotional marketing has resulted in this medical device becoming readily available to purchase online, alongside ear seeds, without relevant caution (Figure 1). Below, we report a case of skin infection after a one-time self-application of press needles for breast engorgement.