Use of Aromatherapy Products and Increased Risk of Hand Dermatitis in Massage Therapists

Crawford, Glen H.; Katz, Kenneth A.; Ellis, Elliot F.; James, William D.

doi:10.1001/archderm.140.8.991

Cited by 41 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(111 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The main safety issue with essential oils seems to be that cases of contact dermatitis have been reported, mostly in aromatherapists who have had prolonged skin contact with oils in the context of aromatherapy massage. In a mailed 2004 survey including members of a national massage therapy organization in the greater Philadelphia region found that the 12-month prevalence of hand dermatitis in subjects was 15% by self-reported criteria and 23% by a symptom-based method (Crawford et al, 2004). This problem had also been reported much earlier in the UK (Bilsland and Strong, 1990).…”

Section: Safety Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care – A Descriptive Systematic Review

Boehm¹,

Büssing²,

Ostermann³

2012

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Claims of benefits of aromatherapy for cancer patients include reduced anxiety levels and relief of emotional stress, pain, muscular tension and fatigue. The objective of this paper is to provide an updated descriptive, systematic review of evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials assessing the benefits and safety of aromatherapy for cancer patients. Literature databases such as Medline (via Ovid), the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Cochrane Central were searched from their inception until October 2010. Only studies on cancer cells or cancer patients were included. There is no long lasting effect of aromatherapy massage, while short term improvements were reported for general well being, anxiety and depression up to 8 weeks after treatment. The reviewed studies indicate short-term effects of aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and overall wellbeing. Specifically, some clinical trials found an increase in patient-identified symptom relief, psychological wellbeing and improved sleep. Furthermore, some found a short-term improvement (up to 2 weeks after treatment) in anxiety and depression scores and better pain control. Although essential oils have generally shown minimal adverse effects, potential risks include ingesting large amounts (intentional misuse); local skin irritation, especially with prolonged skin contact; allergic contact dermatitis; and phototoxicity from reaction to sunlight (some oils). Repeated topical administration of lavender and tea tree oil was associated with reversible prepubertal gynecomastia.

show abstract

Section: Safety Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care – A Descriptive Systematic Review

Boehm¹,

Büssing²,

Ostermann³

2012

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…14 Massage therapists who use essential oils have been found to have an increased prevalence of dermatitis. 15 Although the number of reported adverse reactions to aromatherapy are limited in the literature, it is likely that adverse reactions in the general population are underreported.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of the Essential Oils Lavender and Ginger in Promoting Children's Comfort in a Perianesthesia Setting

Nord¹,

Belew²

2009

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…According to an American questionnaire-based study, the prevalence of hand dermatitis in massage therapists ranges from 15% of the subjects assessed by the self-reported method to 23% of those evaluated by the symptom-based one [50]. In addition, statistically significant independent risk factors for self-reported hand dermatitis included the use of aromatherapy products, such as massage oils, creams, or lotions, as well as a history of atopic dermatitis; an association with the female gender had been demonstrated in previous studies [51][52][53][54].…”

Section: Herbal Remediesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products

Ventura¹,

Viola²,

Calogiuri³

et al. 2006

CPD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly popular, and is often used for treating hypersensitivity diseases. Virtually all alternative remedies can cause hypersensitivity reactions, but the most frequently involved ones are tea tree oil, members of the Compositae family, propolis, oils used in aromatherapy, substances responsible for photosensitization, and metal-containing compounds. The main target organ is skin, with manifestations ranging from contact dermatitis (the most common) to urticaria-angioedema, maculopapular eruptions, photosensitivity reactions, and the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Other types of reactions are possible, including respiratory and anaphylactic ones. Different pathogenic mechanisms have been suggested for CAM product reactions, including immunologic ones. Basophils and mast cells participate in IgE-mediated reactions through the release of mediators like histamine and tryptase, whereas a T-cell-mediated pathogenic mechanism is involved in most delayed reactions, particularly contact dermatitis and maculopapular eruptions. Skin tests and serum specific IgE assays are carried out to diagnose immediate hypersensitivity reactions, while patch tests and lymphocyte transformation tests are usually performed to evaluate delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Thus clinicians should know about the potential of CAM products for causing adverse reactions. Our study is aimed at highlighting the risk of hypersensitive reactions to CAM remedies on the basis of the numerous cases reported in the literature. Because little is known about adverse reactions to CAM products, further systematic studies and an appropriate regulation by heath authorities are necessary.

show abstract

Use of Aromatherapy Products and Increased Risk of Hand Dermatitis in Massage Therapists

Abstract: To determine the 12-month prevalence of hand dermatitis among massage therapists, to investigate a potential association between hand dermatitis and the use of aromatherapy products, and to study potential associations with other known risk factors for hand dermatitis.

Cited by 41 publications

References 63 publications

Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care – A Descriptive Systematic Review

Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care – A Descriptive Systematic Review

Effectiveness of the Essential Oils Lavender and Ginger in Promoting Children's Comfort in a Perianesthesia Setting

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About