6 Proven Ways to Avoid Painful Moxibustion Burns

We often get questions about moxibustion: Why is my skin red and blistered? Did I burn myself? Should I stop the moxibustion?

Before answering these questions, let’s first understand the difference between “moxibustion flowers” and “moxibustion burns.”

🌸 The Difference Between Moxibustion Burns and Moxibustion Flowers

Moxibustion flowers, also known as moxibustion sores, are a sterile inflammatory condition that occurs when blistering appears on the skin at acupuncture points during moxibustion.

Moxibustion flowers appear because moxibustion stimulates the body’s ability to heal itself. When the body is eliminating pathogenic factors (or ‘pathogenic qi’), it needs an outlet, and moxibustion flowers are that outlet.

In other words, moxibustion flowers are a normal part of the body’s recovery process and are not a moxibustion burn.

If you want to learn more about moxibustion flowers, you can read our previous introductory article. Today, however, we are going to focus on moxibustion burns.

What are moxibustion flowers in moxibustion?

🔍 How to Distinguish Between Moxibustion Flowers and Moxibustion Burns?

● Examine the Moxibustion Technique

Moxibustion burns are usually caused by the moxibustion cone/stick being held too close to the skin, excessive heat exposure, or moxibustion ash falling onto the skin.

If you did not experience these technical problems during moxibustion, but blisters appear afterward, they are usually moxibustion flowers.

●Examine the Time of Appearance

With moxibustion burns, you will feel immediate pain, and the blistering will develop quickly.

Moxibustion flowers, on the other hand, don’t always appear during or immediately after moxibustion; they sometimes appear hours or days later.

♨️ Causes of Moxibustion Burns

There are two main types of moxibustion burns:

1. Direct contact/high-temperature burns (e.g., burning moxibustion sticks directly touching the skin or falling ash).
2. Low-temperature burns.

We need to pay special attention to low-temperature burns.

Low-Temperature Burns

Low-temperature burns are injuries to the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by prolonged exposure to heat that is moderately high (not intensely hot), where thermal damage accumulates slowly. This type of burn progresses gradually from the surface to the deeper layers.

Experiments have shown that: The skin can be scalded by contact with 70°C for over 1 minute or 60°C for over 5 minutes.

The minimum temperature to cause a skin burn (or scald) is 44°C. With continued low-temperature heating, the skin gradually adapts to the warmth and may not feel pain, but the damage caused is often more serious.

📊 Symptoms of Moxibustion Burns by Degree

Moxibustion burns are categorized into three degrees of severity:

• First-Degree (I) Burns: The skin is red, dry, and not blistered. The outer skin layer peels off after 2-3 days and heals in about 3 days without leaving a scar.
• Superficial Second-Degree (II) Burns (most common): The skin is red, swollen, blistered, and very painful. It usually takes about two weeks to heal.
• Deep Second-Degree (II) Burns: Uncommon. The top layer of skin peels off easily, the wound is reddish-white, and it is not intensely painful. It heals in about three weeks but usually leaves a scar. If the wound becomes infected, it may progress to a Third-Degree burn and require a surgical skin graft.

🔥 How to Treat Moxibustion Burns

Mild Moxibustion Burns (First-Degree and Superficial Second-Degree)

1. Immediately remove the heat source and apply a cold compress (like ice wrapped in a towel or a cool towel) to the affected area to dissipate heat.
2. Apply a suitable topical remedy such as aloe vera gel or an over-the-counter burn cream.

Serious Moxibustion Burns (Superficial and Deep Second-Degree)

1. Remove the heat source quickly.
2. Do not apply colored topical solutions (e.g., mercurochrome or gentian violet) as they can stain the wound and interfere with a doctor’s assessment of the burn depth.
3. If blisters appear:
   • Small, intact blisters may be sterilized with 0.5% povidone-iodine and the fluid gently drained using a sterile syringe (preferably done by a professional).
   • Keep the wound clean and dry; do not rub the area.
   • If the blister has broken, keep the blister skin intact, as it acts as a natural protective covering, relieving pain and preventing infection.
   • Sterilize the area and cover it with sterile gauze, then fix it in place.
4. Avoid bathing and keep the wound dry to facilitate scabbing and healing.
5. If you have diabetes, take your medication on time, as proper blood sugar control is crucial for wound healing.
6. Use topical antibiotics or wound-healing medications as directed by a healthcare professional.
7. If the moxibustion burns are large, deep, or if you develop signs of systemic infection or illness (such as fever or widespread redness), seek medical attention immediately.

🛡️ Preventing Moxibustion Burns

Improper handling of moxibustion can lead to burns, so taking precautions is key. In order to prevent the moxibustion burns phenomenon, home moxibustion should actively take all the preventive measures before.

1. Control Time: Generally, moxibustion should not exceed 30 minutes. Adjust the time according to your age, skin condition, heat sensitivity, and health conditions (like diabetes).
2. Maintain Distance: The moxibustion stick should be at least 3 cm (about 1.2 inches) away from the skin. If you are not sensitive to the heat, use the fingers of your opposite hand to gauge the temperature near the treatment area.
3. Maintain Focus: Concentrate fully on the moxibustion process without distraction to prevent the moxibustion source from moving too close to the skin.
4. Fire Safety: Do not wear flammable materials such as synthetic fibers or down during moxibustion. Be especially careful when using moxibustion cones to prevent burning ash or cones from falling.
5. Timely Communication: If you or the patient feels any discomfort, immediately stop the moxibustion and address the issue to avoid a burn.
6. Gradual Approach: For first-time moxibustion, start with a small dose and a short duration. Always choose high-quality moxibustion floss, as poor-quality floss is more likely to disintegrate and cause burns.