What disinfection is used for cupping? Comprehensive analysis of disinfection methods and precautions
In recent years, cupping, as a traditional Chinese medicine method, has received widespread attention for its effects such as relieving fatigue, removing dampness and detoxifying. However, the issue of disinfection of cupping tools has also become a hot topic. This article will combine the popular discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with detailed answers to the correct method of cupping disinfection.
1. The importance of cupping and disinfection

During the cupping process, the skin is in direct contact with the cupping equipment. If the disinfection is not thorough, it may lead to cross-infection, skin inflammation and other problems. Especially under the background of normalized prevention and control of the new coronavirus epidemic, equipment disinfection needs to be strictly regulated.
| Risk type | specific hazards | probability of occurrence | 
|---|---|---|
| bacterial infection | Skin redness, swelling and pus | in | 
| viral spread | Blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B and HIV | low | 
| fungal infection | Tinea corporis, tinea cruris and other skin diseases | Middle to high | 
2. Comparison of commonly used cupping disinfection methods
According to the Technical Specification for Disinfection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Instruments (WS/T 367-2012), jars made of different materials need to be sterilized according to the following methods:
| Disinfection method | Applicable materials | Operational points | Disinfection time | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Boil at high temperature | Glass jars, ceramic jars | Soak in 100℃ boiling water for 15 minutes | 20 minutes | 
| Alcohol wipe | All materials | 75% alcohol cotton pads for comprehensive disinfection | 3 minutes | 
| UV disinfection | Plastic jars, silicone jars | Irradiate at wavelength 253.7nm for 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 
| Glutaraldehyde soaking | metal can | Soak at 2% concentration for 45 minutes | 60 minutes | 
3. Home Disinfection Operation Guide
For home cupping enthusiasts, it is recommended to adopt the following standardized process:
1.preprocessing: Rinse the residue in the tank with clean water immediately after use
2.Basic disinfection: 75% medical alcohol for internal and external wiping
3.Deep disinfection: High-temperature boiling (glass jars) or UV sterilization (plastic jars) once a week
4.storage requirements: Place in a closed container after disinfection to avoid secondary contamination
4. Disinfection standards of professional institutions
Medical institutions and health clubs should implement stricter disinfection regulations:
| Disinfection level | Disinfection method | Testing standards | Frequency requirements | 
|---|---|---|---|
| medium level disinfection | Soaking in chlorine-containing disinfectant | Bacteria killing rate ≥99.9% | After each use | 
| high level disinfection | Peracetic acid fumigation | Sterilization guarantee level 10^-6 | After the close of business every day | 
5. Latest Disinfection Technology Progress
Several new technologies unveiled at the 2023 Medical Equipment Exhibition:
1.Nano silver coated cans: An antibacterial jar launched by a Shanghai company can reduce the number of daily disinfections by 90%
2.Ozone rapid disinfection cabinet: Completes sterilization of the entire set of cans in 3 minutes, has been trialled in some top tertiary hospitals in Beijing
3.Intelligent monitoring system: Record disinfection time and frequency through RFID chip to ensure traceability of the process
6. Common misunderstandings and warnings
Based on the hot discussions on the Internet, we have sorted out the wrong practices that require the most vigilance:
× Use white wine instead of medical alcohol for disinfection
× Simply wipe with wet wipes and reuse them
× Multiple people share the same set of cans
× Only use boiling water to wash bamboo jars
× Believe in the saying that "cupping pots come with high-temperature sterilization"
7. Expert advice
Professor Wang from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine emphasized in a recent interview: "Medical-grade glass jars should be preferred for home cupping, and should be followed by standardized disinfection procedures. People with damaged skin, diabetics, and people with low immunity need to strictly disinfect the equipment."
From the above analysis, it can be seen that cupping disinfection requires selecting the appropriate method according to the material of the tank and the usage scenario. Only by doing a good job of disinfection and protection can traditional therapies serve a healthy life safely and effectively.
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