Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/70065
ten for today BY REBECCA JONES SKIN CONDITIONS Massage therapists typically see more of a client's skin than the client does. That fact alone carries with it a responsibility to be educated about some common and not-so-common skin conditions. A well-trained massage therapist will know what creams or lotions might best soothe a rash or what conditions to avoid touching altogether. You could even be the sentinel who discovers and alerts a client to a potentially life-threatening illness. Here are 10 things every massage therapist should know about skin conditions. IN RINGWORM It's just called that because its typical symptom is a circular lesion. It's actually a fungal infection, not too different from athlete's foot. So relax, there's no icky creature crawling around inside a person's body. But take care, because ringworm is contagious and is spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Ditto for warts, impetigo, and shingles. All those conditions are incredibly inconvenient, but they're not usually life-threatening. 1. THERE IS NO WORM 78 massage & bodywork november/december 2010