After cupping therapy, is black and purple skin a sign of excessive dampness?

Jul 05, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

When there is excessive dampness in the body, cupping therapy can cause localized skin heating, capillary dilation and rupture, leading to blood extravasation and accumulation under the skin, forming dark purple bruises. Individuals with excessive dampness often have impaired water and dampness metabolism as well as relatively sluggish circulation of qi and blood. Therefore, subcutaneous blood stasis is more likely to appear after cupping, with darker bruising that takes longer to fade. This is often accompanied by symptoms of body heaviness and fatigue, which are typical manifestations of excessive dampness.

The black and purple skin discoloration after cupping may be related to excessive dampness in the body, or it could be caused by factors such as the intensity of cupping and the duration of cup placement. If abnormalities occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:

When the body has excessive dampness, cupping causes localized skin heating, capillary dilation and rupture, and blood leakage accumulating under the skin, forming black and purple bruises. Individuals with excessive dampness often experience poor water-dampness metabolism and relatively sluggish circulation of qi and blood. During cupping, subcutaneous blood stasis becomes more apparent, and the black and purple discoloration may appear deeper and fade more slowly. This is often accompanied by symptoms of excessive dampness such as bodily heaviness and thick腻 tongue coating.

If the cupping pressure is too strong, the cups are left on the skin for too long, or the local skin is particularly sensitive, even individuals without excessive dampness may develop black and purple skin discoloration. Excessive pressure during cupping directly causes overexpansion and rupture of capillaries, while leaving the cups on for longer than normal durations exacerbates local blood stasis. Individuals with sensitive skin often have more fragile blood vessels, making bruising more likely. Additionally, variations in skin thickness at the cupping site can also affect the degree of black and purple appearance, which is not directly related to excessive dampness.

After cupping, one should pay attention to observing skin reactions. If the black and purple discoloration is severe and accompanied by pain or blisters, prompt treatment is necessary to prevent infection. Cupping should not be performed too frequently, and the appropriate pressure and duration should be selected according to individual conditions, ensuring scientific and reasonable operation.

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Is eczema caused by excessive dampness in the body?

When eczema presents with skin erythema, papules, and exudation, and the patient simultaneously exhibits symptoms such as thick, greasy tongue coating, sticky bowel movements, and heavy limbs, it may be related to excessive internal dampness. Accumulation of dampness in the skin can easily trigger inflammatory responses, leading to eczema flare-ups or worsening. In such cases, resolving dampness through regulation may help alleviate symptoms.