Allergies
There is a space on my
confidential health history form
for "allergies." I ask about your allergies to make sure
that the various substances that may touch your skin will be
safe for you.
You should always tell your massage therapist
about allergies such as:
- Food allergies, especially nuts,
avocados, herbs, etc. These may be in the massage oil or
lotion.
- Latex. I use latex gloves to
work inside the mouth to treat TMJ
pain. If I have a cut, I may use a latex
finger cot for your protection.
- Herbs, flowers, or natural scents.
"Essential oils" (pure distilled fragrances) are often
used for aromatherapy or to add fragrance to massage
oil.
- Chemical allergies, such as dyes,
perfumes, etc. that may be present in the sheets.
To avoid the most common allergic
reactions to oils, I use a massage oil that contains no nut
oils or avocado oils. It's mostly coconut oil, canola oil,
safflower oil, and sunflower oil. This is a very light oil
that is good for your skin and relatively easy to wash from
your clothing. If you cannot tolerate oil, we will use a
lotion.
I offer the choice of scented or unscented
oil; the scented oil has a few drops of lavender essential
oil. Lavender is a pleasant, calming scent, and very few
people are allergic to lavender.
My laundry procedure is designed to remove
oils and germs without leaving a chemical residue. I wash my sheets in a
degreaser with detergent and bleach, wash them again with a
"free and clear" detergent and ammonia, and do a final rinse
with vinegar. Vinegar makes a fine natural fabric softener
and helps to rid the fabric of any residual chemicals from
the first two washes.
My primary concern is your health and
safety. If this page does not answer your allergy
questions, please call 214-395-8000
and we'll discuss your specific needs.
