Free Shipping
over $250.00
Contact Dermatitis Among Massage Therapists: Underlying Reasons and Relief
Contact dermatitis is an annoyance that comes with the massage trade, and it can leave some practitioners with a lot of pain, both personal and professional. When we first heard about contact dermatitis from a Registered Massage Therapist, it was a revelation that led to many discussions among our colleagues. Information about it was only available in bits and pieces. We were surprised that there we couldn't find more obvious resources for such a common complaint.
After much research from Internet sources, we found only medical reasons for contact dermatitis, and a single, decade-old survey conducted on massage therapists. So, what exactly is contact dermatitis?
What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that is caused by contact with an allergen or an irritant. Common allergens and irritants include metals, chemicals, cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, animals, and plants. The condition isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable, especially if one's work depends upon it.
Common symptoms of contact dermatitis:
- Dry, flaked or scaly skin
- Red rash
- Itching
- Bumps and blisters
- Swelling, tenderness and burning
- Skin cracking at the knuckles or on the scalp
Diagnosing contact dermatitis
Be aware that contact dermatitis usually occurs on those body parts which have been exposed to the reaction-causing substance. If you are a massage therapist and allergic to a chemical, the most obvious reaction may occur on your hands or arms. If you are allergic to metal and wore metal earrings, the reaction would be on your ear lobes. The rash starts developing within minutes to hours, depending upon the immune system, and symptoms can last up to weeks. But if you don’t halt the use of allergen or irritant, it can become a permanent problem.
Before we think about a possible cure, we must understand the type of rash and why someone gets it in the first place. Understanding types of contact dermatitis helps us pinpoint and address the issue better.
Types of contact dermatitis
There are three types of contact dermatitis. The first two are common but the third type is rarer.
-
Irritant Contact Dermatitis is the most common. It develops when the skin touches an irritating compound, comes in contact with heat, or when skin is rubbed very vigorously. The irritating substance breaks through the skin barrier and causes inflammation.
Irritant contact dermatitis develops from common everyday substances – water, too much pressure or friction on the skin (if you are a massage therapist, there is a high chance of you getting this), and even just a change in the weather. Do you get flaky skin at the beginning of spring or fall? That is probably contact dermatitis caused by changing seasons.
-
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: This is a slower reaction than the first. Allergic contact dermatitis can take up to 48 to 96 hours to develop after coming in contact with an allergen. The skin might not react right away but if the same substance is used over and over again, the immune system kicks in and the skin starts reacting. So if a rash or an itch develops after 3-4 days of using a product which you have used earlier without any reaction, it is probably allergic contact dermatitis.
Common allergens include metals, fragrances, antibacterial ointments, formaldehyde, isothiazolinone, cocamidopropyl betaine, and paraphenylene-diamine. All of these chemicals are found in some personal care or cosmetic products. It's wise to read the ingredient lists of all products used on your skin.
Common Product Ingredients to Watch for to Avoid Allergic Contact Dermatitis
-
Allergen: Isothiazolinones. It protects the product from oxygen and light damage, and to prevents the growth of bacteria. It is a common ingredient in shampoos, body washes, cosmetics, and wet wipes of any kind.
-
Allergen: Cocamidopropyl Betaine. This is used as a surfactant, when mixed with water or oil, it helps to wash dirt away. It is a common ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and house cleaning products.
-
Allergen: Formaldehyde. It's almost always used as a preservative and is a common ingredient in household disinfectants and adhesives.
- Allergen: Paraphenylene-Diamine is used as a dye. It is a common ingredient in hair dye and black shoe polish.
Contact urticaria is better known as hives. This allergic response happens right away. Happily, it usually doesn’t last long. It is a kind of alarm system in your skin that announces something you have touched (or inhaled or eaten) is causing an immune response.
How to treat contact dermatitis
The best way to treat contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid the substance which has caused the reaction in the first place. In our opinion, totally avoiding a product may not be a real solution if your livelihood depends on it. But there are less-aggressive but highly-effective alternatives that you could try. If it's not practical to stop using a massage lotion, try switching to an alternative version of it that is free from chemicals at issue.
We recommend keeping a journal of things you have used when you get a reaction in order to choose the best alternatives.
How to Record Contact Dermatitis Reactions
- Note all products you have used before the reaction. Go back five days to make the list
- Remember the common allergens and check the label of all the new products you have used in the last five days
- In case you have pets at home, they can be a cause. Check if they have been in contact with any allergens
- We suggest you keep a record somewhere you and your family can access anywhere, anytime. This way you can be mindful while shopping for products. Use a WhatsApp group or shared notes on your Apple devices
- Ask your family doctor to refer you for an allergy test, and explain to the technician the nature of your job
Remedies and Preventive Measures for contact dermatitis:
It’s difficult to work with contact dermatitis. We recommend you take the following preventive measures to protect your hands.
- Apply anti-itch creams and lotions to soothe the skin – calamine lotion is very good
- Cease the use of essential oils for a time and record the results
- Cold compress made of baking soda and water
- Use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products
- Use powdered vinyl gloves
- Keep skin moisturized to stop it from drying out, especially in cold months
- Wash your hands after the massage and use a product that suits your skin-condition and skin-type
- Replace products which have known allergens – formaldehyde, isothiazolinones, cocamidopropyl betaine, paraphenylene-diamine – with all-natural and organic products
- In case natural oil or its fragrance is the source – find its alternative online or simply use fragrance-free products
- In case you have sensitive skin, we recommend using products with Seal of Acceptance
- Do a patch test at home before using a new product
- Try not to scratch the affected area – it will make the problem worse
- Avoid latex gloves
- Ask your family doctor for a referral to a dermatologist
Massage therapists rely on their hands to treat their clients. They provide much-needed therapy to heal, relax, and recover. They help us get rid of prolonged aches. They lend us their ears, we sometimes end up finding our catharsis in them. Isn’t it time your hard-working hands get the love and care you give to your clients?
Featured collection
-
Original price $14.99 - Original price $59.99Original price $14.99 - Original price $59.99Original price $14.99$9.99 - $49.99$9.99 - $49.99Current price $9.99
Golden Jojoba Oil
BodyBestUses and Benefits of Golden Jojoba Oil Golden Jojoba Oil is one of the best massage oils as it can be used for both scalp and body. It is deeply mo...
View full detailsOriginal price $14.99 - Original price $59.99Original price $14.99 - Original price $59.99Original price $14.99$9.99 - $49.99$9.99 - $49.99Current price $9.99Save up to 17% -
Original price $11.99 - Original price $29.99Original price$11.99 - $29.99$11.99 - $29.99Current price $11.99Castor Oil
BodyBestUses and Benefits of Castor Oil Castor oil is a healing oil that helps soothe muscle aches. Rich in antioxidants, the oil prevents wrinkles, reliev...
View full detailsOriginal price $11.99 - Original price $29.99Original price$11.99 - $29.99$11.99 - $29.99Current price $11.99 -
Original price $24.99 - Original price $79.99Original price$24.99 - $79.99$24.99 - $79.99Current price $24.99Grapeseed Oil
BodyBestUses and Benefits of Grape seed Oil Grape seed oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In addition, the oil is rich in omega chain ...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $79.99Original price$24.99 - $79.99$24.99 - $79.99Current price $24.99 -
Original price $23.99 - Original price $94.99Original price$23.99 - $94.99$23.99 - $94.99Current price $23.99Coconut Oil Cold Pressed Unfractionated
BodyBestBenefits of Body Best Cold Pressed Unfractionated Coconut Oil Body Best Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil has wonderful healing properties for your b...
View full detailsOriginal price $23.99 - Original price $94.99Original price$23.99 - $94.99$23.99 - $94.99Current price $23.99 -
Original price $29.99 - Original price $29.99Original price$29.99$29.99 - $29.99Current price $29.99Apricot Oil Cold Pressed 1L
BodyBestUses and Benefits of Cold Pressed Apricot Oil Apricot Oil Cold Pressed by BodyBest is ideal for body and head massages. Also known as Apricot Kerne...
View full detailsOriginal price $29.99 - Original price $29.99Original price$29.99$29.99 - $29.99Current price $29.99
