Paraffin Wax Bath

The quick and easy way to soft, smooth, sandal ready feet.

Paraffin wax has been used for many years, its is an effective medium for heat transfer to the skin and joints. The use of warm paraffin wax on the hands and feet has a very soothing and therapeutic effect. The warm paraffin wax applied to the skin makes the blood vessels expand and therefore helps the circulation, bringing healing nutrients to the surface and flushing toxins out of the skin.The overall effect of a paraffin wax bath is softer, firmer skin which is more hydrated.

This is a particularly good treatment for anyone with dry or rough skin. It can be used as a treatment on the hands (or feet) can ease painful joints for ARTH-ITIS suffers or for those with bad circulation.

Hands or feet are prepared with a sterilizing solution and then and then massaged with the moisturizing treatment cream of your choice (the range includes, Organic with Grapeseed and Aloe Vera, Organic Spearmint, Organic with Russian Rose and Lavender, Peppermint, Almond and Sandalwood, Aloe Vera, Evening Primrose...).

Once this has been massaged into your hands (and or feet) they are briefly immersed in a warm wax solution. Once the wax has set the hands or feet are reimersed a further two or three times and then wrapped in warm boots / gloves to retain the heat. For the next 10 minutes you relax enjoying the warmth of the wax and boots / gloves. The wax is then removed revealing soft, smooth and refreshed skin.

Introduction

Paraffin wax bath therapy is an application of the molten paraffin wax on the body part. The temperature of the paraffin wax is maintaining at 40-44°c, where as its melting point is 51-55°c. If the molten wax at 51-55°c is poured on the body part, its may cause burn over the body tissue, which is why some impurity is added to lowered down its melting point such as liquid paraffin or mineral oil. Paraffin wax bath therapy provide about the 6 times the amount of heat available in water bcozs the mineral oil in the paraffin lowers its melting point. The combination of the paraffin and the mineral oil has low specific heat which enhances the patient’s ability to tolerate heat from the paraffin better then from the water of the same temperature. The composition of the wax: paraffin: petroleum jelly is 7:3:1 or wax:

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paraffin: or mineral oil is 7:1. The mode of the transmission of heat from paraffin to the patient skin is by means conduction.

Paraffin Bath unit

Parts of a typical paraffin wax bath unit are container, mains, thermostat, thermostat pilot lamp, power pilot lamp, lid, and caster.

Container is made-up of enamelled baths or stainless steel bowl and outer fiberglass shell.

Initially heating is quicker with this type because there is no water jacket to be heated.

Container contains wax and paraffin oil. Main function is to switch on or off the heating element, which is located in the casing of paraffin wax bath unit.

Thermostat keeps the temperature fix or static in the range which is adjusted with knob thermostat pilot’s lamp indicates whether thermostat is on or off.

Power pilot’s lamp function is to show whether power is on or off. Lid cover container and caster allow the paraffin wax bath

container to be move from 1 place to another.

Preparation of patient: The nature of wax treatment is explained and the area to be

treated is inspected for contraindication. Look for any wound, skin infection, rashes etc. on the part to

be treated. Cleaned the skin using tissue paper or cotton. Tell the patient in brief about temperature of the wax and

benefits Drip down few drops of molten wax on the dorsal surface of

your hand to check the temperature. This is done before; the patient so that he/she can prepare

psychologically and fear of heat is minimized. After the above step the patient is always found to cooperate

and fear of molten wax and heat is remove from the mind.

Methods:

The part to be treated must be cleaned by soap and moisture to be soaked by towel.

Position of the patient should be such that the part to be treated comes closer to the wax bath container.

Before application one must ensure that there should be no moisture on the body tissues otherwise burn could occur.

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The warm wax is placed on the body tissues by various techniques and the treatment is given for about 10-20 minutes.

Techniques of application: Various techniques used for the application of paraffin wax are as fallows:

1. Direct pouring method:

The molten Wax is directly poured by a mug or utensil on the part to be treated and then wrapped around by a towel.

The wax is allowed to solidify for about 10-20 minutes. Several (4-6) layers can be made over the body tissues.

2. Brushing method:

It is a less commonly used method of paraffin wax application.

in this method, 8-10 coats of wax are applied to the area with a paint brush using even and rapid strokes

The area is then wrapped with towel for 10-20 minutes and after this time, paraffin wax is removed and discarded

3. Immersion method:

This method of application provides some what vigorous heating.

The body part to be treated dipped 3-4 time to form a thin coat and then left immersed in paraffin wax for 20-30 minutes

A thin glove of solid paraffin wax formed slows the heat conduction

Use of immersion method required co-operation and tolerance by the patient in a dependent position

Care should be taken to ensure that the patient is in comfortable position during the treatment

With immersion method, the temperature elevation of body tissue is 2°c higher then dipping method

4. Dipping method:

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It provides mild heating. The patient should wash and dry the part to be treated. The therapists instruct the patient to dip the body part in a

bath and then removed it until the paraffin solidifies and thin layer of adherent solid paraffin is formed which covers the skin.

Dipping is repeated until a thick coat is formed. In other words, at least 8-12 times until thick glow on a part. Once thick glow of wax is formed the treated area should be

wrapped 1st in a plastic and then wrapped with a towel. If edema is concerned then area may be elevated. The effective duration of this treatment is 10-15 minutes. At the end of this treatment time the glow of solid of peeled

off or removed by slipping the finger beneath the glow and sliding the wax off and into the plastic sack, which cover it during the treatment

The sack is then discarded or the wax is emptied in the bath unit.

5. Toweling or bandaging method:

A towel or a roll of bandage is immersed in molten paraffin wax and then wrapped around the body part.

Several layers can be made over the body part. This method is preferably used for treating proximal parts

of the body.

Once the treatment is given by paraffin wax, it can be reused for the next session. Regular cleaning or changing of the wax is necessary to ensure good hygiene.

Physiological response

1. Heat production:

There is a marked increase in skin temperature in the 1st

two minute, up to 12-13°c. This drop, while in the wax wrapping to an increase of

about 8°c at the end of 30 minutes. In the subcutaneous fascia, there is an increase of 5°c at

the end of the treatment. In the superficial muscles, then in only about 2-3°c rise

in temperature at the end of the treatment

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2. Circulating effect:

Stimulation of superficial capillaries an arterioles cause local hyperemia and reflex vasodilatation.

This is marked only in the region of the skin. The hyperemia is due to response of the skin to its

function of heat regulation. The effects of vasodilatation in the muscle are

negligible, but then may be some reflex heating in the joints.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue temperature drop after 15-20 minute, reducing the vasodilatation

Exercise after the wax is essential to increase the muscle circulation and sedative effect of heat to obtain more range of movement and muscle strength.

3. Analgesic effect:

The most important effect of wax its marked sedative effect on the tissue.

The moist heat is remarkable soothing to the patient. It is this effect that is used prior to the exercise, in the

treatment of superficially placed joints. It is very comfortable to the patient.

4. Stretching effect:

Wax leaves the skin moist, soft and pliable. This is useful for stretching scar and adhesion before

applying mobilization techniques.

Indications

1. Pain and Muscle Spasm: Wax reduces the pain and muscle spasm seen in hands and feet, as the moist heat encircles each finger and toe, and relieves pain.

2. Edema and Inflammation: The gentle heat reduces post-traumatic swelling of the hands and feet and also swelling in hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis or degenerative joint

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disease, particularly in the sub-acute and early chronic stages of inflammation.

3. Adhesions and Scars: Wax softens the adhesion and scar in the skin and thus facilitates the mobilization and stretching procedures.

Contra-indications

1. Impaired skin sensation: This will be determined by a hot/cold skin test.

2. Some Dermatological conditions are exacerbated by moist heat, such as eczema, athlete’s foot and dermatitis. Any dermatological condition, which appears after treatment, must be reported.

3. Circulatory Dysfunction: Patients with varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and arterial disease must not have any heat applied directly over the affected part.

4. Analgesic Drugs: If patients are taking strong narcotics for pain, the time and dosage of the drugs must be ascertained. Heat is not administered immediately after intake of drugs, since pain tolerance to heat is impaired.

5. Infections and open wounds: Heat will increase the infective activity.

6. Cancer or tuberculosis: In the area to be treated, heat, by increasing the metabolic rate, may increase the rate of growth and spread the disease.

7. Gross edema: With a very thin and delicate skin covering the area, the skin may be damaged and the heat may tend to increase the edema.

8. Lack of comprehension: patients who cannot understand the nature of the treatment and comprehend the potential danger, for example, children, very old patients, other nationalities.

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9. Deep X-ray Therapy: Within three months prior to treatment decrease blood flow in the area and may cause impaired skin sensation.

Advantages of Paraffin wax

1. Low specific heat allows for application at a higher temperature

than water without the risk of a burn.

2. Low thermal conductivity allows for heating of tissues to occur

more slowly, thus reducing the risk of overheating the tissues.

3. Molten state allows for even distribution of heat to areas like

finger and toes.

4. First dip traps air and moisture to create more even heat

distribution.

5. Oils used in the wax add moisture to the skin.

6. Wax remains malleable, after removal, allowing for use as an

exercise tools.

7. Comfortable, moist heat.

8. Relative inexpensive to replace wax.

Disadvantages of paraffin wax

1. Effective only for distal extremities in the terms of ease of

application.

2. Most effective method of application is the bath method, which

limit accessibility for other body part to be treated effectively.

3. No method of temperature controls once applied.

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4. Heating last only about 20 minutes.

5. It is a passive treatment: exercise may not be performed simultaneously.

Maintenance of Paraffin Wax Bath unit Sterile the paraffin wax bath by heating it to 212° Fahrenheit. For reuse sterilization should be done frequently. Drain the melted paraffin wax, filter it out and replace it back for reuse. Change the wax at least once in 6 month.

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