Two Quick Tips

Here are two quick tips for keeping your feet free from the fungi that cause athlete's foot and toenail fungal infections:

1. Use foot powder. There are many powders available for your shoes. The powder helps absorb the moisture released as your feet sweat throughout the day. Fungi thrive in moist, dark, warm environments, and removing the moisture helps you battle the fungi. It also helps reduce odors as bacteria in your sweat are what cause foot odor. When the sweat isn't absorbed into your shoes, it won't leave a residual smell in them. If you sweat excessively, you should change your socks and re-powder your shoes in the middle of the day. Remember to alternate shoes every day as the day off gives them a chance to dry out between wears. If you sweat excessively, you can make an appointment with your podiatrist to discuss treatment options and because the doctor can recommend products that go beyond the treatment of the typical foot powder.

2. Lysol your shoes. Using a disinfectant spray on your shoes kills the fungi and bacteria living in your shoes. This will help reduce the risk of fungal infections and reduce foot odor. You should spray your shoes and then let them air dry. You can speed the drying along with a hair dryer, but be careful not to shove the dryer down in the shoes and burn out the motor. Lysoling your shoes once a week will eliminate any fungus that may have developed while you were wearing those shoes and helps protect your feet.

Try these two tips not only along with treatment of a fungal infection, but as preventative measures against the appearance or return of fungi. If you notice the signs of a fungal infection in any of your nails, contact your podiatrist and schedule an appointment. Treatment is more effective when it is started early.

Winter Moisturizer

Winter is a tough season on your skin. This is the time of year your skin is most likely to dry out and even crack. Not only can cracks in the skin be painful, they can allow bacteria and viruses to gain access to your body. Cracks in the skin of your feet also make you more susceptible to fungal infections. You spend time moisturizing your skin and protecting your lips with lip balm. During this season where skin care is paramount, do not neglect your feet. Your feet are the base of your whole body. You will spend very miserable days standing and walking on cracked skin on your feet. You should moisturize feet daily. The best time is right after your shower and before bed. You may want to consider wearing socks to bed to keep your feet exposed to the moisturizer longer. You should moisturize both the top and bottom of your feet, but do not moisturize between your toes. Here is a product from our online store to help you weather the season:

Pedifix Mango Magic Foot Lotion
Instantly Moisturizes Skin with Healthy Nutrients
Pamper your feet! This salon-style lotion will soothe and soften rough, dry feet and refresh your skin. It features mineral oil, aloe vera, vitamin E, lanolin and urea to nourish your skin while it stimulates your senses with the tropical-fresh scent of mangos. Also works great as an all-over body lotion.

8 oz. Bottle

Massage cream into skin as needed, particularly after bathing and just before bedtime.

Proper Toenail Trimming

You may not be aware, but there is a correct way to trim your toenails. You should cut your toenails straight across. This is important because it prevents you from cutting the edges of your toenails back to far, possibly causing them to grow back ingrown. You should also make sure you don't cut your toenails too close because this can damage the tissues of the nail bed. You should not trim the skin around your nails. You also need to remember to trim your toenails, as long nails can cause shoes to be uncomfortable. And trimming your toenails the correct way can prevent them from future damage, which can make the nail more susceptible to fungal infections. Correct trimming is quite simple, and doesn't take very long, but it does ensure that you avoid unnecessary complications.

Footcare in the News

Eli Manning, the quarterback for the New York Giants football team, has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis after injuring his right heel in the fourth quarter of the Giants' win over Kansas City. He has been reported to have pain, and inflammation/swelling around his heel.

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tendon which connects the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. This injury is common not only for athletes. It is often the result of overuse, acute trauma (like in Manning's case), wearing footwear without adequate supports, and working/standing/walking on hard surfaces. The condition is usually conspicuous through symptoms like pain in and around the heel and bottom of the foot, tightness in the arch of the foot, and swelling and inflammation of the heel and tendon. Often people experience the pain from this injury in the morning, and it subsides as the tendon stretches out during the course of the day. It is also common to experience pain after sitting (resting) and getting back up after being on your feet for extended periods.

There are a number of treatments for plantar fascia. Taping can help relieve the pressure on the tendon, as can wearing a night splint over night to avoid tightening of the tendon. Often a stretching program or physical therapy can help strengthen the plantar fascia. Orthotic inserts for the patient's shoes are a very common treatment as well, and they tend to be effective even in difficult cases. Cortisone shots are also recommended frequently. Our office also offers APC (autologous platelet concentration) injections and ESWT (electronic shock wave therapy) to aid in sever cases of plantar fascia. The APC injection helped Hines Ward return from a knee injury just in time to aid the Steelers in their 2009 Superbowl win. One or a combination of these treatments could help Manning return to good playing condition and reduce his pain throughout the season.

If you are experiencing pain from plantar fascia, or any foot pain, do not hesitate to contact our office. Many people delay the treatment of this condition because they think they need to just bear the pain. This is not true. There is no reason to suffer when we can help you find relief.

Risk Factors for Fungal Nail Infections

There are a number of factors which can influence your risk of contracting a nail fungus. These events or considerations can influence how your body fights against and interacts with different fungi-causing agents.

-Tight Footwear. Wearing footwear that is too tight crowds your toes together. The result of this is that they tend to stay warmer, promoting sweating, and fungi grow best in warm, moist locations. This makes sizing your shoes correctly important, not only for your comfort, but so that your toes get the appropriate amount of air.

-Exercise. Although good for your over-all health, exercise can cause repeated minor trauma to your nails. This allows fungi to get a foot hold on your nail, providing the physical location for them to grow and also access to the inside of the nail. Keep in mind that you are of greater risk if you tend to slam your feet into the front of your shoes, whether when running or doing an activity which requires you to stop quickly and repeatedly. Wearing tight shoes can be a factor here again, as your foot doesn't have the necessary room inside your shoes. This is not to discourage you from your favorite exercises, but to remind you to check your toenails and between your toes regularly. Most people who exercise regularly are also prone to fungal infections which cause athlete's foot, hence the name. You should check for fungal infections regularly, and be sure to wash your feet thoroughly.

-Communal showers. Communal showers are used mostly in conjunction with pools, locker rooms, and residence halls. Because of the amount of traffic through these shared showers, it is more likely that they have been exposed to fungi. It is a good idea to keep a pair of flip flops or other shower sandals handy where ever you are exposed to a communal shower. Keep them in your dorm room, work out bag, locker, or pool tote. They can help reduce your foot's exposure to fungi.

-Immune deficiencies. If you have an immune deficiency for any reason (perhaps due to illness, disease, or birth defect) your body has a hard time fighting off fungi, as well as all pathogens. You need to check your feet for any signs of fungi regularly and wash your feet thoroughly every day. You may also want to invest in a product like FungaSoap or Tea Tree Soaks which have been featured on this blog. These products help kill the fungus before it can grow on your feet.

Podiatrist and Fungal Nails

Fungal nails are caused by an infection that occurs underneath the surface of your nails. Sometimes the infection can penetrate inside your nails. In both cases that can be quite painful and impede your ability to walk or run. The fungus can cause the nail to become discolored, misshapen, and malodorous. Sometimes we can prescribe oral or topical medication and remove the diseased nail portions through a process known as debridement. In other cases we can surgically remove the infected nail and eliminate the fungus completely. This can allow a new, healthy nail to grow.

Tea Tree Soaking Crystals for Clear Toenails

Another product we have in our office to help keep your toenails clear of fungus is Tea Tree Ultimates Soaking Crystals, by PediFix. These all natural soaks are a blend of tea tree and peppermint essential oils, Epsom salt and sea salt. Tea tree oil is a natural defense against fungi that cause a range of problems, including toenail fungus and athlete's foot. This soak is also great at relieving aches and pains, itching skin, foot odor, and it helps to soften corns and calluses. Your feet are left refreshed, clean and great smelling. You can even use these crystals as a full body soak to relive sore muscles and joint stiffness, while still eliminating fungi and bacteria. And the manufacturer is so sure that you'll love their product, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

This product is also very simple to use. Simply fill a basin or tub with warm water, add contents of the packet, and stir with your hand. This will activate the essential oils. Then simply immerse your feet or your self into the basin or tub and enjoy a relaxing soak, muscle relief, and fungi-free feet! Here's a tip for use: adjust the temperature of the water to whatever is most soothing for you. If you want to take a long, full body soak, you can turn up the heat a little bit to have a long lasting, warm, enjoyable experience.

We especially recommend this product to patients who are susceptible to or are often exposed to sources of fungus. This product works equally well as a preventative measure, as well as a curative one. If you find yourself exposed to fungal agents (i.e. spending a lot of time around pools, public showers and other warm, damp areas) then this is a product you may want to consider using. Swing by our office for more information or to purchase these Soaking Crystals with Tea Tree Oil.

Funga Soap for Clear Toenails

Another one of our common treatments for fungus on your feet and toenails is Funga Soap made by PediFix. This all natural wash which can be used for your feet or as an all-over body wash is great for treating the causes of fungus, as well as serving to prevent future fungal infections. Funga Soap is enriched with Tea Tree Oil, which is an essential oil recognized for centuries for its natural antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It helps to relieve the discomfort of itchy feet, foot odor, and common skin irritations. Just use Funga Soap as part of your daily bath or shower routine and rinse thoroughly. As always, dry your feet completely, and make sure the skin between your toes is dry. The manufacturer even offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, they are so convinced you will love their product. Our office keeps this product in stock and recommends it often, because it is an all natural product which is effective against fungus. We often recommend it to patients with problems with toenail fungus, athlete's foot, foot odor problems, and to prevent future fungal infections. They experience a great amount of relief from the burning and itching sensations often associated with foot and toenail fungus. And this product can be paired with other treatments you are undergoing for any of these symptoms. Pair it with Gordochom to treat fungal toenails, or with an effective foot powder to reduce excessive sweating of the feet and the associated odor. This product comes in an easy to use shampoo-type plastic bottle. You can easily leave it in your shower for use daily.

This product is great for a range of patients. It is an excellent choice for patients who are susceptible to or have a history or fungal infections. It is also a good choice if you spend a lot of time around public pools or showers, where bacteria and viruses which cause fungus often thrive. Great for athletes, avid fitness participants and lifeguards. Also consider this product, especially as an all-over body wash, if you participate in a sport with a lot of person-to-person contact, like wrestling or martial arts. It will help prevent other forms of skin fungus from forming.

Gordochom for Clear Toenails

Many of our patients come into our office with complaints about toenail fungus. This is a common problem, and one we offer many solutions to. Gordochom topical antifungal by Gordon Labs is one such product. Gordochom has 25% Undecylenic Acid which is an effective antifungal agent and 3% Chloroxylenol which is a topical antiseptic, germicide and antifungal agent. This non-staining product is easy to use, just paint the product onto the affected toenails with the brush provided in the bottle. Undecylenic Acid is a fungistatic agent employed in the treatment of tinea pedis, ringworm and dermatophytosis. Chloroxylenol is a topical antiseptic, germicide and antifungal agent effective against a wide variety of causative fungi and yeast organisms. Among those affected by chloroxylenol are candida albicans, aspergillus niger, aspergillus flavus, trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes, penicillum luteum and epidermophyton floccosum. The penetrating oil base vehicle serves as a delivery system, enhancing the impregnation of Undecylenic Acid and Chloroxylenol as antimicrobial agents.

DIRECTIONS: Cleanse and dry affected areas. Apply a thin application twice a day (morning and night) to the affected area, or as recommended by your physician. For athlete's foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes; wear well-fitting ventilated shoes, and change shoes and socks at least once daily. For athlete's foot and ringworm, use daily for 4 weeks. If condition persists longer, consult a physician.

We often pair this treatment with a prescription for three Lamisil tablets, which are crushed up and added to the Gordochom. We find this combination of medications to be quite effective for treating fungi that affect the feet and toenails.