watch out... / Athletes foot (modified for title)

[Brandon G]

  well, i was giving massage to a new fellow..he had just finished filling out his health questionnaire and we had a little discussion about massage and etc..i got to his feet and im working his toes like usual, and he says, "watch out for my athletes feet, i got em real bad" and i didnt know if he were joking with me or not and i said "really?" and he proceeded to tell me how bad it was and how he couldnt get rid of it...now..i just wanta know, couldnt he have said something way before that, like in the health questionnare or even during our discussion or at the very least right about the time i aimed for the feet?????? Has anyone had this happen to them???

 

[Melony]

watch out...

That would have been a good thing to know BeFORE you got to his feet! Gross  :-/ That has never happened to me, but I have often wondered about it. Especially now during pool season. I hope that you excused yourself to go scrub your hands. Or better yet, perhaps that would have been a good time to do the facial massage.  ;D-Melody

 

[Bryan Greener]

watch out...

I had a client who I was massaging for the first time.  It was rushed because I was late getting there and she had to leave at a certain time (being a student still I'm still getting used to intake).  She was on the table and I started massaging the leg...did several effleurage strokes before she pipes up and says, "oh, you might want to be careful, I've got poison ivy".  So, I asked her where specifically, and simply did compression over those areas over the sheet.  I also informed her that it would be best to tell any othe massage therapist up front.I have heard differing opinions on whether poison ivy is coneforum.xxxious or not.  In our studies we're told to avoid it, that it's a local contraindication.  I just don't like taking any chances.

 

[Hamster Tycoon]

watch out...

That is so funny!  I had the exact same thing happen to me with a male client who had athelets feet.  In fact he never even mentioned it to me.  I don't keep my lighting too low because I want to see what is going on with the skin and body so I happened to notice the problem when I uncovered his feet.  I informed him of it and he said something like "oh yeah, I have atheletes feet" and I reminded him that it was coneforum.xxxious and he should have put it on his form.  There have been several instances where a client doesn't inform me of a condition until after the massage or in the middle of a session.  I always work to educate them on the importance of letting the therapist know beforehand.  I think many people still don't really think massage has any effect other than to 'feel good' and that's why this happens.

 

[Pipes]

watch out...

YES! Poison Ivy lesions are coneforum.xxxious, it's just that some people are not particularly susceptible. I hope you double-bagged the sheets and washed HOT with Bleach!

Not necessarly... the oil of the plant is what causes the reaction... if the person has soaked in oatmeal bath or used a topical cleaner to remove the oil the open sores are not coneforum.xxxious for the poison ivy... now any blood born diseases are another issue as the skin is open and a risk.  

If you are exposed to poison ivy use an oil based cleaner to remove the oil ASAP... orange pumus cleaner will work in a pinch (find at auto stores)... but the best treatment is to soak the areas in a warm oatmeal bath (Aveno) ASAP to remove the oils so the reaction is less and then treat with topical OTC steroid creams.

 

[Pompal 09.]

watch out...

As a reflexologist I see many cases of athletes foot. I add a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil to my hand sanitizer (like Purel or whatever I'm using at the time) because of its anti-fungal properties. It's so handy to have on the tray next to me when I run into something like that. I also add a few drops to the foot bath I give before the session. Because Athletes Foot stems from a high yeast problem in the body it's a good idea to ask questions about what else may be going on. This is another example of how feet tell stories on their owners.  

 

[ninety9point8]

watch out...

Feet tell stories...I love that!

 

[max p]

watch out...

As a reflexologist I see many cases of athletes foot. I add a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil to my hand sanitizer (like Purel or whatever I'm using at the time) because of its anti-fungal properties. It's so handy to have on the tray next to me when I run into something like that. I also add a few drops to the foot bath I give before the session.

Do you continue with the session?

 

[zenjanthropus]

watch out...

I wouldn't expect Tea Tree to be enough protection.  Something stronger like kunzea, but not tea tree.I did a 50hr reflexology course, very basic (full course is over 400hrs out here) and they really didn't cover feet conditions to be wary of.I did a mani/pedi course, and some of the stories about feet, flesh eating bacteria and viruses.   errrrgh  I won't even let people put their feet in the foot bath if they look suspect.  I use a foot spa without the bubbles because of the pipes.  When you have things like ASSEMBLY BILL AIMS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM PEDICURE-RELATED INFECTIONS it indicates there is a problem - maybe all the quickie nail and pedi places just don't use anything and cause great problems, but when legislation goes through about foot basins, it could easily be used beyond the pedicure section of industry.  Athletes foot IS highly coneforum.xxxious - it's a fungus, there are spores, it can live off the human body, admittedly our treatment rooms aren't likely to be a lovely moist environment for moisture loving bacteria and fungus to live for long, but do you know how long?  The main concern of the bill is the big pedi-chairs with lots of piping, and flesh eating bacteria, but what is to stop it being used for a bowl and athletes foot?I use horrible spa cleaner that kills pretty well anything, including humans if not used in a well ventilated environment, but I don't do foot baths often so balance my environmental guilt with small volume - not very environmentally friendly, but much less than most places using it for that type of thing.  Not sure how I'd feel if I was using a lot of it on a regular basis The old army recommendation for athletes foot was urinating on the feet in the shower - brings back memories of a Seinfeld episode, but it reviewedly works....I've often had people tick "no" for hormone conditions, and you then find a HRT patch....  Not a good thing with some essential oils, or hot stones over the area (ditto hot stones and nicotine patches)

 

[Zach F]

watch out...

This has happened to me too, but fortunately, the client told me just as I began the massage and well before I got to her feet. But I've also had the poison ivy thing and surgery scars, etc. that haven't been reviewed.   It happens frequently that people forget to put things down on their form.  I think it happens for a number of reasons.  They may not think it has anything to do with the massage for one thing.  But, most likely, they have just forgotten about it.  It's such a part of their history and who they are that they forget.  I have done it myself.  HOW MANY times has the client not written down anything on the form about major surgeries and then you pull the sheet down and see a big scar?  There's poison ivy, huge bruises, varicose veins.  They forget to tell us about all sorts of stuff.  That's why it's important to have a disclaimer at the bottom of your intake form, clearing you of any liability should anything happen.  Also, there should be something stated that they are responsible to let you know of any changes in their health history.  It's also important to ask this question every so often when they come in for an appointment.  And finally, it's crucial that we pay attention to what's under those sheets.                  

 

[Pompal 09.]

watch out...

The only real foot problem I've run across so far are plantar warts. I just steer clear of them.

 

[ROCKER_CHICK]

watch out...

"It's such a part of their history and who they are that they forget.  I have done it myself."Here here... its amazing what everyone at one time or another has so integrated into their being that they forget to reveal it... shoulder surguries, HRT patches... LOL  and, yes, I have done that as well.  But I have also had the flipside, where I have put down things on my intake, e.g that I currently have AF on my left foot...and please avoid it...(not only for the MT's sake, but for my sake... I am treating it, and I don't want any of your oil/lotion/essential oils in the mix, thank you very much.)  ...only to have what I said completely ignored.I think as therapists, we can also sometimes be rushed, get into the "zone", or go on autopilot, and are perhaps not as attentive, or remembering as we might be. As humans, all we can do is try our best to do our best...and accept that that will not always be completely accurate or truthful, but that doesn't always mean that the client/therapist is being disrespectful or intentionally withholding for devious purposes.Robdang... the power of suggestion... now my feet are starting to itch.   ;D

 

[Apricot Girl]

watch out...

In addition to working with people who have simply 'forgotten' about a condition that is so a part of their life is the client that hasn't a clue. Example: I've worked with a couple of people who had what appeared to be athlete's feet but didn't know they had it. How do you NOT know? 'Course, I told them of the appearance, advised them to see their physician, and worked away from the feet.

 

[Hybrid]

watch out...

Do you continue with the session?

Yes. I would end the foot session if there are open wounds/sores and move to the hand or ear on the same side of the body. If both feet are showing open wounds/sores then it's a session of hand reflexology or they can come back when they're healed.

 

[Sandralynn]

watch out...

I wouldn't expect Tea Tree to be enough protection.  Something stronger like kunzea, but not tea tree.

I'll have to look into Kunzea, I can honestly say I've never heard of it before. I find the Tea Tree gives me enough peace of mind to get through the session. My immune system is strong and in dealing with dozens and dozens of feet (many infected), I've not once caught Athletes Foot. It doesn't bother me like it bothers most people. I clean up thoroughly after every session and find myself suggesting a dermatologist if the regular OTC medicines aren't working. I also suggest a good nutritionist to help clear up the underlying issues that AF stems from.

 

[Pompal 09.]

watch out...

Dragonflies, thank you for answering my question.I stumbled upon a wart once. I paused the session, explained why, washed my hands for a really long time, and came back and finished the session, avoiding the feet, of course. I also have a very healthy immune system. I have never caught anything from a client.

 

[stargazer (lost in space)]

watch out...

Well, warts are a virus.  For the longest time I had athletes foot, even though I am not an athlete.  Not fair.  My wife never "caught it"  She never had warts sprout up all over her body, either.  I think I had one or 2 when we met.  Sure I did, had several on the back of my left hand, but when I got interested in aromatherapy and started using my magical salve, they went away.  I think that we get freaked about things that don't require it.  Anyone ever work on someone with psoriasis?  Mick

 

[carogator28]

watch out...

Dragonflies, thank you for answering my question.

I stumbled upon a wart once. I paused the session, explained why, washed my hands for a really long time, and came back and finished the session, avoiding the feet, of course. I also have a very healthy immune system. I have never caught anything from a client.

You're welcome.

When I run across a plantar wart I will avoid direct contact with the wart (when possible), and I keep some thuja on hand to give it a good dousing before moving on to another part of the foot.

In the future you might want to keep some of those finger cots http://www.massagewarehouse.com/FINGER+COTS+LATEX/ITEM_NO=163+0003/SHIP_TO_FLAG=Y/catalog.jhtml on hand if you are concerned about coming into contact with something unpleasant. It allows you to still work that area, but gives you the protection you need. While I have never bothered with them I know students in my reflexology class who were uncomfortable with the idea of touching plantar warts, athletes foot, and other "icky" foot issues.  ;D

 

[gahrahstah]

watch out...

I think that we get freaked about things that don't require it.  Anyone ever work on someone with psoriasis?  Mick

Yes.  It's not coneforum.xxxious.  It's an autoimmune disease.  The client had a thyroid problem that went undiagnosed and the psoriasis was one of the symptoms along with arthritis, heart palpitations, high blood pressure.  We soon found out that treating the thyroid would eventually clear up the psoriasis but the tanning bed actually gave her the most relief.

It was kind of like working on someone with a second skin, a very thick second skin....hmmm....

 

[Pitbull]

watch out...

Its amazing what they dont tell us ahead of time. I had one client state she had no recent surgeries, we began the massage, and when she turned over, low and behold, she still had STITCHES along her SPINE. I almost freaked out. She was nonchalant about it, "what, those stitches? I had back surgery last week"   AARRGGHHH! Makes ya wonder what goes thru their minds when theyre filling out the form beforehand!