The Efficacy and Safety of Plant Oil Mixtures in the Treatment of Xerosis with Pruritus in Elderly People: Randomized double blind Controlled Trial

Background: Xerosis skin and pruritus is the most commonly found in elderly with symptoms mild to severe recurrent pruritus, the skin looks rough, scaly, fissured or cracked caused defects in the epidermal barrier function, increase co-morbidity as chronic infections and ulcers that are difficult to heal can decrease the quality of life. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has been traditionally used for people in tropical region as a moisturizer and anti-bacterial effect. In recent study that essential plant oil mixture have effect synergistically as anti inflammatory, anti pruritus, promoting wound healing may act promoting barrier skin and therapeutic. Objective: Efficacy and safety of plant oil mixtures as therapeutic and maintenance moisturizer.for Xerosis and pruritus in elderly Method:A randomized controlled trial was involved 61 elderly from nursing home and geriatric clinic in Moh. Hoesin General Hospital. They were randomized into 2 groups: plant oil mixtures (n=30) and Virgin Coconut oil (VCO) (n=31), applied on the volar legs twice a day for 4 weeks.Outcomes were measured at baseline and weekly, week 2 and 4.To measure of clinical dry score used ODSS; pruritus severity and side effect used VAS; for skin hydration used corneometer CM825and for sebum level used sebumeter SM 810. Results:Clinical dry score, pruritus severity of plants oil mixtures group were significantly decreased than VCO at week 2 and 4 (p 0.000). Skin hydration and sebum level of plants oil mixture group were significantly increased than VCO at week 2 and 4 (p 0.000).Clinical dry score, pruritus severity, skin hydration, andskin sebum levels of plant oil mixtures were significantly better than VCO at week 4 (p 0.000). There is no side effects on both of plant oil mixtures and VCO groups Conclusion: Plant oil mixtures add pureCelin oil showed better efficacy as a therapeutin and maintanance moisturizer for xerosis and pruritus in elderly. Both of plant oil mixtures and VCO can be tolerated and safe to use.