Is blistering from cupping heavy dampness?

Blistering from cupping is a common phenomenon in cupping treatment. Some patients get blisters from cupping because of heavy dampness, which is considered by Chinese medicine to be external dampness, mostly due to heavy dampness on the body surface of the cupping site, but it does not prove that the whole person has a wet constitution. It may also be related to too long cupping time or too much pressure. Generally, blisters caused by heavy dampness are relatively small and may be more numerous, while blisters caused by long cupping time or high pressure are mostly single blisters with slightly larger volume. The normal cupping time is mostly 15 minutes. If the time is too long, blisters may appear due to burns, and some people with thin and tender skin and poor tolerance may have blisters before 15 minutes of cupping, which may be related to the individual’s physique and can shorten the cupping time appropriately. If the blister is large or with obvious discomfort, you can go to the hospital to use sterile instruments to pick it, and the operation should be strictly disinfected to avoid infection and local redness, pain, ulcers and other symptoms. Do not try to cupping again before the blisters subside, and pay attention to eating less beef and mutton, seafood and other hairy products during cupping treatment to avoid adverse reactions.