Massaging a Client with Eczema
This is the first part of a series of blogs that is going to involve how to massage a person with different skin conditions and disablitlities. Coming in contact with different skin conditions and disabilities happens to a masage therapist on a frequent basis. Each type of condition and patient is different and each should be handled with care, differently.
Eczema is a skin condition that a medical conditions that causes the skin to become inflammed and irritated. Eczema affects 9 to 30 percent of the U.S. population. So, the chance of a massage therapist coming a across with someone with Eczema is can be close to one in every three patients. Fot the client with eczema, the affected area is very itchy. Most of the time, you’ll be able to notice this condition because it will be in the form of a rash. The area is normally dry, thickend, scaly, sometimes darker and more red than the skin around it.
The causes of eczema are unknown, but it’s thought to be linked with an overactive response by the body’s immune system to unknow triggers. Ezcema is commonly found in families with allergies and athsma. There is no cure for eczema but using lotions and creams to help ease the pain is commonly the protocol for relief once eczema is diagnosed. Eczema is not contagious, so don’t worry about skin to skin contact during a massage therapy session.
So, how do you massage a client if they have eczema? You must massage your client very lightly, especially around the affected area. The best type pf oil to use is Baobab Seed Oil (organic). This oil is made from ther Baobob Tree from africa who’s seeds make an oil that make an oil that is luscious and had a beautigful aroma. It is highly penetrating, deeply nourishing and is know to relieve eczema and psoriasis. It also improves the skin’s elasticity. Another healing topical cream for those with eczema is shea butter. This is made by the cold pressing the fruit of Karite Tree. Be sure to buy raw, organic, unrefined shea butter. You can also use jojoba oil which is very moisturizing. Try to use organic lotions or pesticide free because you don’t want to increas any infection for the client.
After doing my normal research on this topic, I thought, ‘I wonder what is like for a massage therapist to massage someone with eczema? Do they get scared, nervous, grossed out even? ’ So, I went to my favorite massage therapist, Heather Hixon, of Time to Unwind Massage and Yoga and asked her her thoughts. “Every client has to fill out an intake form. This is where I find out if they have a skin condition. It’s helpful to know, when booking the appointment if a skin condition is present so I can properly prepare an aromatherapy blend including tea tree, myrrh, and lavendar. Compassion is key as a massage therapist. I could only imagin what it would be like to come in to a massage appointment with out knowing the therapist very well with a skin condition. So my first approach with all my clients is compassion. My feelings on clients with skin conditions is that we all need massage. Perhaps, especially those with skin conditions. If we are not comfortable with skin conditions, then perhaps we’re in the wrong field.”
Thanks,
Tiffany
Last Minute Massage
and
Heather Hixon
Time to Unwind Massage and Yoga
