Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/70065
TEN FOR TODAY UNEXPLAINED LUMP, LESION, OR RASH "Anything unexplained requires at least a question," Werner says. "When skin lesions don't hurt, they're alarming. It's the things that don't hurt that are most dangerous, because they're sneaky. If we find something on a client's skin—whether a carcinoma or a diabetic ulcer or something else—if the client doesn't know it's there, it's important to bring it to their attention." As for moles, make note of anything 8. that looks unusual: maybe its color is deeper, or it's oddly shaped. "It would be interesting to gather data about how many clients have found skin cancer at an early, treatable stage because a massage therapist has seen something," Werner says. "It may be on the top of the scalp or the back of the neck—places people don't think to check themselves." BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANY THE LANGUAGE YOU USE "Chances are excellent it's nothing," Werner says. It's an unusual client who has perfect skin. Everyone has stuff happening. "So don't say, 'This might be cancer.' You can think it, but don't say it. Use carefully non- alarmist language. Say, 'You have a raised red area here. Can you tell me what's going on?' It's descriptive, but not scary. Whether you proceed depends on their answer. If they feel they have a pretty good idea of what's going on, you can make the judgment call about whether to proceed." And don't make a diagnosis, even 9. if you think you know what you're looking at. "As therapists, we don't have the ability to diagnose," Pergar emphasizes. "All we have the ability to do is recognize and recommend." BE CAREFUL ABOUT ONES WHO DEVELOP SKIN CONDITIONS Hand dermatitis—in which hands become red, dry, cracked, and inflamed—is a huge issue among massage therapists. One 2004 study involving 350 massage therapists living in and around Philadelphia found that 23 percent had hand dermatitis during a 12-month period, while the rate for the general population was just 2–10 percent. The researchers speculated that massage therapists' frequent hand washing and contact with fragrances, dyes, detergents, and allergens found in massage oils—particularly aromatherapy products—may account for the bulk of the problem. One possible response is 10. to temporarily back away from using scented products and try jojoba oil, which mimics the sebum in the skin. based freelance writer. Contact her at killarneyrose@comcast.net. Rebecca Jones is a Denver- connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 81 CLIENTS AREN'T THE ONLY