Effect of sesame and sweet almond oil on the prevention of striae and itching caused by it in primiparous women: a randomized controlled trial

esteem and other psychological problems by itching and even ulcers in the affected areas for pregnant women. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of sesame and sweet almond oil on the prevention of striae and itching caused by it in primiparous women.

This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was done on 150 primiparous women at 5 health centers affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014. The randomization of two intervention and one control groups was performed by block randomization method. Intervention and control groups received 1cc sesame، 1 cc Sweet almond oil، and 1cc Placebo، respectively، 2 times daily for 20 weeks. The severity of striae was evaluated based on used method by Davey and the severity of itching based on used method by Kamini. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 13)، and independent t-test، chi-square test and، Kruskal–Wallis، and two states logistic analysis.

Striae at 35-38 weeks of pregnancy were observed in 59. 2%، 16. 7%، and 82% of participants in sweet almond oil، sesame oil، and control groups، respectively. Abdominal itching was reported in 65. 3%، 10. 5%، and 78% of participants in sweet almond oil، sesame oil and control groups، respectively. Nobody of sesame oil consumers reported severe abdominal itching، while 17 cases (34. 7%) of sweet almond oil consumers reported severe abdominal itching (P<0. 001). Kruskal-wallis test showed significant difference between three groups in terms of striae and itching (P<0. 001).

The results of this study showed that both sweet almond oil and sesame oil are effective on reducing the incidence and severity of striae and itching caused by it in primiparous women.