Therapist hand/fingercuts?

[Becaa Fisher]

Suppose you are doing breakfirst and cut yourself on the knife. And have clients arriving in 2h. How do you handle it..?

 

[Ms. D]

How Badly

If it is bad you should not even consider it.

If it is a slight cutit will normally heal in 2 hrs if you use one of your oils for example lavender.

It is worth using a surgical glove to keep it dry.

 

[chileanbabe]

We were taught to cover any cuts with a waterproof plaster. In reality, it's not always practical if it's on an area that is touching the client. If it's on the back of the hand or finger, it's not quite so bad, but even then, the oil used can lift the plaster off.

Definitely don't treat with an open cut exposed though.

Lesley

 

[nl_inc2000]

I admit that recently I lost a fight to a meat carving board spike.. it skewered my thumbnail. I was lucky in that it didn't bleed, but it id pull back half my nail - still doesn't look right, but it's all the way from the nailbed.. the bruising was severe. I did use a plaster though just cause it looked better. It didn't stop me doing any mind therapies, but because I do No Hands Massage I was lucky in that I could use this technique without even using my hand whatsoever, if I had remedial work to do, I used my left. Not ideal, but it worked. Once the bruising wentI started with using the hand for reflexologies, but focussing on the hand without the problem.. It looked nicer. Gave the clients the choice though.. they need to feel safe whatever you do.

I have cancelled before now offering the client a free treatment for the inconvenience. You have to pitch it, think if your safety and theirs.

 

[Alesquethense]

For small nicks/cuts you can use Elastoplast's 'Liquid Skin' - stings like hell when you put it on, but its an astringent to stop the wound seeping and it puts a polymer-like coat over the cut. Quite effective.

derekw

 

[DrIG]

Too late now I assume?! I read this thread yesterday but didn't get chance to reply as I had to get the evening meal started - went to clear some tins to the recycling bin before I started and cut my knuckle on the opened edge of a can!! [&:]
For future reference cuts are a pain, especially when they're not painful or otherwise preventing you from working! - plasters of all makes and sizes WILL come off with the oil!! I eventally found that putting a finger stall over a plastered finger was the best way to work with it. The big plastic finger stalls that you can buy are not very user freindly from a massaging point of veiw. I always have a box of disposable vinyl gloves which in my size - so I cut all but the appropriate finger and an attachment to the wrist via the back of my hand away. You then have a close fitting, not too wrinkley or crackley (relevent when you're working near your clients face and ears!) cover for your plaster which shouldn't fall off cos it's fixed at your wrist. A bit of oil might work it's way inside - but negligable so it shouldn't affect the plaster's stickyness.
I was once advised that you can buy a snug fit finger cover from chemists to do the same job without the wrist tie, but I never found any.

 

[illbaby]

"Finger stalls" (the small individual finger covers) - most chemists stock them - quite useful for cuts. My problem is when people send stuff to me using a staple to put documents together - if I neglect to use my letter opener........ hence the stash of 'finger stalls'!!!
The liquid skin mentioned by derekw is quite effective in most instances.