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.

The association between atopic dermatitis and hand eczema: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A sensitivity analysis where the largest study was omitted gave a similar result (OR 4·39; 95% CI 3·14–6·15) ( P < 0·001). Six studies were not included in the meta‐analysis as five of them presented only the adjusted OR, which ranged from 2·33 to 8·06, and one study presented a prevalence ratio only, of 2·4 (95% CI 2·0–2·9) (Table S3). …”

“…We included only six of these in the meta‐analysis as no data could be extracted from four studies. However, these studies presented adjusted ORs that ranged from 2·33 to 8·06 . The OR for the included 1‐year prevalence studies was 4·31 (95% CI 2·08–8·91) ( P < 0·001) (Fig.…”

“…In our qualitative synthesis, two studies examined only children (< 18 years), one from the birth cohort BAMSE and the other from the Odense Adolescence Cohort . Furthermore, 28 studies investigated only adults and five studies investigated both children and adults . The studies were conducted between 1981 and 2014 and originated from 12 different countries.…”

Contact sensitizations in massage therapists with occupational contact dermatitis: Patch test data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, 2008–2020

“…Commonly stated reasons are that gloves would compromise tactility, have not sufficient tensile strength resulting in tearing during massages and are not accepted by customers. In line with this, the US survey among massage therapists revealed that only 21% reported to have ever used protective gloves while working 2 . Moreover, penetration of and sensitization to allergens is likely facilitated by co‐exposure to emulsifiers and lipids in the topical preparations, an impaired skin barrier function due to wet work and mechanical strain during massages as well as by preceding occupational irritant contact dermatitis.…”

Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oils

“…Women are apparently predominant in occupations involving the use of essential oils. Accordingly, in the study of Crawford et al (14), only 15% of the massage therapists surveyed were male. Nevertheless, it is interesting that there have been no reports of essential oil‐induced occupational contact dermatitis in men.…”