Abstract
RATIONALE: Covid-19-induced inflammation and edema of the facial skin is a new problem, albeit still somewhat uncommon. To date, there are no published reports on the use of acupuncture for treating facial edema caused by corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient, a young female, developed a fever of 38.7 °C, malaise, and headache, followed by facial edema. After 3 months of conventional treatments (i.e., oral hydroxychloroquine and ebastine) failed, she turned to acupuncture. DIAGNOSES: Facial edema after COVID-19. INTERVENTIONS: Acupuncture points on the face (ST2, ST3, ST4, LI20, and SI18), facial acupuncture with multiple micro-needles in the affected area, and distal acupuncture points on LI11, LI4, LI6, SP9, ST36, ST40, and LR3. The patient was treated with acupuncture in 20 sessions over 2 months (3 times a week for the first month, 2 times a week for the second month) and instructed not to use any medication during and after the treatment of acupuncture. OUTCOMES: After 2 months of acupuncture treatment, the facial edema of the patient subsided. LESSONS: This case suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative therapy for superficial skin inflammation and edema caused by viral infections like COVID-19. Further studies are warranted to explore acupuncture's role in managing post-viral inflammatory conditions.