Evidence supporting the use of: Paraffin wax
For the health condition: Cold Hands and Feet

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Paraffin wax therapy is a treatment with some scientific support for providing symptomatic relief in individuals with cold hands and feet, particularly when these symptoms are due to poor circulation, Raynaud’s phenomenon, or arthritis-related issues. The application of warm paraffin wax increases local skin temperature, which can promote vasodilation and temporarily enhance blood flow to the affected extremities. Studies, though limited and generally small in scale, have reported improvements in hand temperature, pain, and stiffness after paraffin wax therapy. For example, a 2013 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that paraffin wax baths improved hand circulation and reduced pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the evidence is not robust, with most studies focusing on pain and stiffness rather than specifically on "coldness" or thermoregulatory issues. The therapy is widely used in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings, largely due to its safety profile and patient-reported comfort. Despite its popularity, paraffin wax should be considered an adjunctive therapy rather than a primary treatment for underlying causes of cold extremities, especially in cases related to systemic diseases. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy specifically for cold hands and feet, but existing evidence supports its short-term symptomatic benefits.

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Products containing Paraffin wax

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