The Effect of a Combined Topical Herbal Cream on the Incidence and Severity of Striae Gravidarum in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Striae gravidarum, which occurs in most pregnancies, is unpleasant for women, and its treatment is costly. A preventive measure for this condition is applying herbal oils to maintain the skin's elasticity. The current study investigated the effect of a topical combined herbal cream on the occurrence and severity of striae gravidarum in primiparous women. Methods: In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, 90 primiparous women in their first trimester of pregnancy, attending healthcare centres in Mashhad, Iran, were randomly allocated into two groups of herbal cream and placebo, from which 54 completed the study. The intervention group received 0.3 g of the cream, topically, composed of Calendula (Pot marigold), Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile), Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium), Theobroma oil (Cocoa Butter) and Soybean, twice a day for three days a week from 14-16 to 27-30 weeks of gestation and the placebo group received a moisturizing cream. At the gestational age of 38-40 weeks, the incidence and severity of striae on the abdominal skin were evaluated using the Atwal numerical scoring system and digital photography. Results: There was a significant difference between the prevalence of striae in the intervention and placebo group (43.3% vs 87.5%) (P<0.0001). Also, a significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of the severity of the striae (P < 0.001). In the intervention group, the severity of striae in 86.7%, 13.3%, and 0% of the cases was mild, moderate, and severe, respectively, whereas, in the placebo group, it was occurred as mild, moderate, and severe in 37.5%, 58.3%, and 4.2% of the cases. Conclusion: Considering the effect of topically applied herbal cream, it is recommended that health care providers suggest pregnant women to use such herbal creams to avoid striae gravidarum development.