Use of aromatherapy products and increased risk of hand dermatitis in massage therapists.

OBJECTIVES 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. DESIGN Mailed survey. SETTING Philadelphia, Pa. PARTICIPANTS Members of a national massage therapy organization who live in the greater Philadelphia region. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported and symptom-based prevalences of hand dermatitis. RESULTS The number of respondents was 350 (57%). The 12-month prevalence of hand dermatitis in subjects was 15% by self-reported criteria and 23% by a symptom-based method. In multivariate analysis, statistically significant independent risk factors for self-reported hand dermatitis included use of aromatherapy products in massage oils, lotions, or creams (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-7.02; P =.002) and history of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio, 8.06; 95% confidence interval, 3.39-19.17; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hand dermatitis in massage therapists is high. Significant independent risk factors include use of aromatherapy products in massage oils, creams, or lotions and history of atopic dermatitis.