Abstract

• This study was designed to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on skin xerosis and pruritus in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Twenty one subjects of this study were selected from St. Paul's Hosipital in Seoul. All the subjects were received the mineral oil massage at the arm without fistular three timesper week for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks period of wash-out, the subjects were received the aromatherapy of lavender and tea tree essence oil in the same way. This study was carried out from March 20 to June 13, 1998. Pruritus score, skin pH and stratum corneum hydration were measured before and after each treatment. But, biochemical parameters were measured before the treatment of the mineral oil massage, after the treatment of the mineral oil massage and the aromatherapy. Data of this study were analyzed by paired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni multiple comparisons and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results were as follows: 1. Pruritus score was significantly decreased after the aromatherapy, while no significant change after the treatment of the mineral oil massage. Therefore, there was a significant difference in the priritus score between the two treatments. 2. Stratum corneum hydration was significantly increased after the aromatherapy, while no significant change after the treatment of the mineral oil massage. Therefore, there was a significant difference in the stratum corneum hydration between the two treatments. 3. Skin pH was significantly increased after the treatment of the mineral oil massage, while no significant change after the aromatherapy. Therefore, there was no significant difference in the skin pH between the two treatments. 4. After the aromatherapy, the serum calcium was significantly increased. Whereas the serum parathyroid hormone intact was significantly decreased compared with the treatment of the mineral oil massage. But the level of the serum Ca and PTH-intact were within the normal range. 5. Stratum corneum hydration was decreased corresponding to the duration of hemodialysis, while pruritus score and skin pH showed no change corresponding to the duration of hemodialysis and the age of the subjects. The correlation of pruritus score on skin pH, stratum corneum hydration and biochemical parameters was not significant. In conclusion, this findings indicate that aromatherapy may be effective in decreasing skin xerosis and pruritus score in uremic pruritus patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.
• Keywords: Aromatherapy; Skin xerosis; Pruritus; Hemodialysis

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