warts

[zonk]

I had a practice client the other day who had warts all over his back. They ranged from a mushroom-shaped one on his shoulder that looks like it's barely attached, to these black, shiny button-like things embedded in his skin. There were also little prickly spots--blackheads? miniwarts? It was pretty gross all told. He actually brought up the warts subject before I did and told me he didn't feel like having them removed surgically.

I wonder if they're coneforum.xxxious.

He also had really smelly feet--I just drenched them in bay oil alcohol and kept on working.

Ugh. What do you do about a disgusting body? Most people I've worked on so far have been fine but I guess this is a reminder that you're going to see the occasional monstrosity in the bodywork business. Maybe next time I'll tell him I want to practice my sports massage with clothes on!

 

[suzi3]

Ewwww...that is seriously gave me chills just picturing it. At first I thought that maybe they might not really be warts, until you said that he told you about it first. I would say that would be a contraindictor to me and I wouldn't work on him again. I do have a client that has a wart on her hand...it was no biggie to me. BUT, if there are several and his back is covered with them, I wouldn't do it. I think it's a little wierd that he has warts on his back which kind of leads me to beleive that they might not really be warts and he hasn't had them actually looked at.

Anyways, I do know that warts are a virus, but I'm not sure about the chance of it being passed on to you if they are, in fact, warts. I know that in our profession, we are going to run into people with all kinds of ailments and conditions. I like to think that I am sensitive to peoples personal situations and medical ailments, including skin conditions. BUT if he actually said they were warts, and not moles or some other kind of skin impairment then I'd talk to your instructor and not work on him anymore.

t009

Jen

 

[LiTtLe mIsS kAyLeE]

:shock:
Yes, warts are coneforum.xxxious.
And, if you get one, especially on your hands, you can pass them to your clients. And, once you get one, it can multiply on you too.

 

[Boozette Jones]

Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. The virus is coneforum.xxxious and infectious. "Authorities" disagree as to whether this is a total and complete contraindication to massage or simply a local area contraindication. If you're looking for an "official" reason to refuse him as a client you've got it. Especially considering that he refuses to have the warts treated. If you continue to see this client it might be wise to never schedule him the same day as children, the elderly or any immune compromised persons. Be sure to wash your hands after touching him or the linens and before touching anything else.

 

[hello.]

warts

They ranged from a mushroom-shaped one on his shoulder that looks like it's barely attached, to these black, shiny button-like things embedded in his skin. There were also little prickly spots--blackheads? miniwarts? It was pretty gross all told. He actually brought up the warts subject before I did and told me he didn't feel like having them removed surgically.

it has been my experience that warts are firmly 'based' to the skin. i've seen a whole lot of 'skin tabs' ranging from very tiny to the size of a small coin. they seem to be 'barely attached'. then there's also moles, which can be raised above the skin with or without a hair(s).
and i have a dermatologist client who has these dark, rough skin patches who says there nothing to worry about.
very confusing.

my best advice.... when in doubt, wear gloves.

 

[b8ee1]

warts

my best advice.... when in doubt, wear gloves.

On that note... anyone have a brand preference? I use blue nitril gloves and have had some clients complain of feeling the glove "fold" and almost pinch when doing deep compression. To be honest I also have felt it, but adding too much lotion or oil also is a problem (too difficult to hold the pressure in one spot).

Only about 1 in 10 sessions do I need them though.

 

[infinite crisis 247]

my preference is to have non-latex on hand. you don't have to worry about latex allergies.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Were they diagnosed as warts and he just doesn't want to bother removing them, or is he not bothering to even get them looked at? It sounds a lot more like skin eforum.xxxs and moles than warts. It doesn't sound like warts at all, to me!

Without knowing for sure, I'd either ask for doctor's permission and any restrictions before doing massage (locally contraindicated if they ARE warts is a very good reason) or go with the sports massage through the clothes. I just wouldn't do Swedish. If the doctor says they are moles, then I'd suck it up and do the massage without gloves.

I work with the elderly, so see lots of moles of various shapes and sizes. I just watch them for changes and let them know if I see anything worrisome. (Except with my 99 yo who informed me before I ever touched her that she KNOWS she has "funny stuff" on her skin and she is NOT going to receive treatment, so just don't worry about it. I thought, "no kidding" and have respected her wishes just to have a nice, relaxing massage.)