Polish Problems

If you are dealing with fungal toenails, you have probably painted over the fungus with nail polish in order to wear your cute new sandals.  No big deal, right?

You may or may not be surprised to learn that most over the counter polishes contain many harmful ingredients like formaldehyde.  Polishing up your discolored toenail may actually contribute to the problem! 

Dr.'s Remedy polish is the only doctor approved polish, as it contains anti-fungal ingredients and vitamins and oils to treat your nails.  You're probably thinking that a polish approved by a doctor must only come in ugly colors.  Fear not my polish lovers!  Dr.'s Remedy enriched nail polish comes in a multitude of colors from Blissful red to healing gray.  The polish is available in our office as well as through our online product store. 

If you are experiencing any problems with your toenails, make an appointment with a podiatrist.  It is important to see a doctor to ensure the problem doesn't spread or is not being caused by an underlying problem with your feet.  Contact us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

How Do You Get Fungal Toenails?

If you are dealing with fungal toenails, you may be wondering how you got them in the first place.  Fungal toenails are caused by a group or fungi called dermatophytes or yeasts and molds.  Fungi live in warm, moist areas, can invade your skin through cuts or between your nail and nail bed, and cause problems when your feet are continually exposed to moisture and warmth.  Fungus can develop on your toenails because your feet are usually confined in shoes; a dark, warm environment perfect for those pesky fungi. 

These things will put your more at risk for developing fungal toenails...

• Aging
• Diminished Blood Circulation
• More Years of Exposure to Fungi
• Slowly growing, thicker nails are more susceptible to fungus
• Heavy Perspiration
• Working or Living in a Humid Environment
• Wearing shoes and socks that don't breathe
• Going barefoot in public areas like pools or showers
• Athlete's foot
• Diabetes
• Circulation Problems
• Weakened Immune System

If you have fungal nails, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.  Fungal nails can cause complications, especially in those with diabetes or poor circulation.  Call our office at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment if you suspect you may have fungal nails. 

To prevent fungal nails from recurring make sure you use proper foot hygiene.  Keep nails short, dry, and clean, wear properly fitted socks, don't go barefoot in public places.  It is also smart to avoid the temptation to wear nail polish over your fungal toenails as it may cause the problem to worsen.  If you go to a salon for a pedicure bring your own tools, like the kit pictured above which can be purchased through our online product store.

Tips for Healthy Nails

It is important for most people to have clear toenails for cosmetic reasons.  However, don't forget about the importance of getting your nails healthy.  Try these little tips for getting healthy nails and preventing fungal infections from occurring.

• Wear dry cotton socks, and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
• Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet (tight, enclosed, moist shoes contribute to fungal toenail infections).
• Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower.
• Don't share shoes or socks with others.

• Don't share nail clippers or nail files with others. You may want to purchase a personal pedicure kit for yourself, like the one pictured above.  It includes several items including, all natural tea tree and lavender essential oil, a nail brush, a nail file, pummace sponge, toe separators, orange stick, sliding tray case for all tools and is available through our product store.
• Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short (trauma to the nail may lead to infections).

If you begin to experience any problems with your toenails, make an appointment with your podiatrist.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit us on the web at vailfoot.com. Don't forget to check out Stepalivecenter.com for lots of other tips and tricks on getting healthy feet!

Prevent Fungal Nails

After a fungal nail infection has cleared up, you can take steps to prevent the infection from coming back.

Keeping the fungus under control will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a non-prescription anti-fungal cream to the entire foot from the ankle down. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet after you take a shower or bath.

Other tips:

• Don't share nail clippers or nail files with others.
• Don't share shoes or socks with others.
• Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short (trauma to the nail may lead to infections).
• Wear dry cotton socks, and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
• Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet (tight, enclosed, moist shoes contribute to fungal toenail infections).
• Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower.

Follow basic foot care guidelines and you more than likely can head off most common foot fungus problems.

Since fungal nails are usually more resistant and more difficult to treat than Athlete's foot, topical or oral antifungal medications may be prescribed. Permanent nail removal is another possible form of treatment for fungal nails. Laser treatment may also be an option.  As you may know, the use of the medication available today for treatment of fungus toenails, carries with it possible systemic involvement (commonly the liver and kidney). This laser does not!  Noveon laser treatments consist of 3 - fifteen minute sessions at day 1, day 14 and 60 days from initial treatment.  Depending on the severity of your onychomycosis a fourth treatment may be necessary.  Some people also have a predisposition to the disease and may require periodic treatments to kill any new fungal infection that may arise.  Visit the Ohio Nail Laser Center to learn more about Laser Therapy and how it can help you.

Ohio Nail Laser Center

A fungus infection of the toenail, also known as onychomycosis, is one of the most common dermatologic disorders affecting the foot. Whereas Ringworn is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the skin, onychomycosis is a dermatophyte fungus infection of the nail. The disease is characterized by a thickening of the toenail plate, debris under the toenail, a lifting of the leading edge of the nail, a change in nail color and occasionally an odor. Patients complain that toenail fungus is ugly and embarrassing. This condition is often ignored because the infection can be present for years without causing any pain.

If ignored, the infection can spread to other toenails, the skin on the feet (ringworm or tinea pedis) and even the fingernails. Severe cases can impair one's ability to walk or lead to painful ingrown toenails. Secondary bacterial infections may occur on or around the toenail plate.

Contributing factors for developing nail fungus infection include:

• A history of athlete's foot
• Injury to the nail bed
• Sports / Shoe trauma
• Excessive perspiration
• Diabetes
• Circulatory problems
• Immune-deficiency conditions

The best offense is a good defense. Prevention is key to avoiding fungal infection.
Prevention tips include:

• Proper hygiene, i.e. washing the feet with soap and water.
• Dry thoroughly; use powder as a drying agent.
• Daily inspection of the feet and toes
• Shower shoes should be worn when possible in public areas.
• Wear shoes that are breathable.
• Bring your own instruments/nail polish to a pedicurist

Treatment for Fungal Nails

Historically, treatments for fungal nails included topical medications, oral agents (pills) or surgical removal of the nail plate. The topical medications were largely ineffective. Oral agents have been known to affect the liver and blood tests needed to be monitored to prevent damage. Removal of the nail plate was painful and debilitating.

Now with the Noveon dual wavelength laser, treatment for fungal nails is easy, effective and without the risk of side-effects from oral medication.

Fungal Nail Infections

Onychomycosis, or fungal nails, is a condition in which one or more toenails is infected by fungi.  If you are suffering from this condition, don't be embarrassed.  Over ten percent of the population has onychomycosis and it is not caused by hygiene.  This condition can be transmitted in public areas like public showers or pools. According to Mayoclinic.com, nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections.
However,you should not let it ruin your sandal wearing days!  You may have onychomycosis if you have any or all of the following symptoms.

• Thick Nails
• Crumbly Nails
• Deformed Nails
• Dull Nails

• Nails Dark In color

See your podiatrist and get a treatment plan going! Call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment. Other treatments include medicated washes like fungasoap, available through our product store.  This cleansing soap helps naturally wash Away Fungus, Bacteria, and Foot Odor. 

Are You Embarassed to Wear Sandals? We Can Help!



Laser Fungal Treatment



The sun is shining and that means people are digging their sandals from out of their closets and buying the latest trends in summer footwear.  However, if you are suffering from fungal toenails, you may be too embarassed to show off your cool new kicks. Fungi are microscopic organisms that don't need sun to survive (making winter the perfect time for them to get ahold of your toenails!) Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes.  Our office can offer you with laser fungal treatment to diminish your fungal nails and free your feet from those sneakers! The Noveon laser utilizes two specific wavelengths of laser light for advanced microbial destruction. The uniqueness of the Noveon therapy lies in the fact that it harnesses a patented near-infrared photo-inactivation effect, to achieve the elimination of bacteria and fungi, while preserving healthy tissue. The result of Noveon therapy is to advance the recovery process with virtually no side effects.  Once your nails are sandal-ready, you may want to paint them.  However, most nail polishes contain harsh chemicals that are dangerous to your nails. NOURISH is a premium line of natural and organic nail polish, developed by podiatric physicians and pharmacists at Barefoot Botánica. NOURISH is the safe, organic alternative to typical “toxic cosmetic” nail polishes on the market. But don’t think a nail polish with clinical advantages has to look “clinical”—NOURISH lacquers are rich, luxuriant and quite sublime! It is available at Advanced Footcare Clinic Website through the product store.  Call our office today at 419-423-1888 to start your journey to sandal-ready nails!

Formula 3

The Advanced Footcare Clinic is dedicated to helping your feet look and feel their best, and Formula 3 can help you on the pursuit for clear toenails.  Over 35 million Americans struggle with fungal nails, if you are ready to be one less, Formula 3 can help.

According to MayoClinic.com, nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. Fungal nail infections are most likely to occur in dark moist places like swimming pools, and showers.

If you are tired of being embarrassed by your feet, try formula 3. One bottle can be used to treat two large toenails for at least four months. It is simple and easy to use, odorless, and does not stain. 

Formula 3® has:


• An easy to apply brush that allows you to get under and around nails and nail beds.

• A blend of all natural oils, it will not irritate the skin or build up on the nail and require removal.

• No drying time. Absorbs in seconds!

• A fast working formula that gives you healthier looking nails. Most patients see new healthy growth at the cuticle root in just 4-6 weeks of use.

• An unconditional, Patient Direct, Money back guarantee from Manufacturer

Why wait? Start fighting your fungus today with formula 3, and beautiful toenails can be yours. Visit our online product store and vailfoot.com for more products to help achieve and maintain clear toenails.

Safe Toenail Trimming

Communal areas are the most likely place to be exposed to the fungi which attack your toenails. Showers in locker rooms, pools, and bath houses see a lot of traffic and provide the warm, wet, dark environments that fungi flourish in. Likewise, nail salons are a point of exposure for many people to these fungi. This is because these salons see a lot of feet coming in and out. And some people do not realize that although they handle the cosmetics of your toenails, they are not the experts in your toenail (and total foot and ankle care). So they go to their nail salon for help in clearing toenail fungus. This is not altogether wrong, since nail salons often stock over the counter products for toenail fungus. But they may not be able to offer you the range of advise, products, or other care that your podiatrist can. If you ever have a problem with your feet or toenails, be sure to contact your podiatrist for expert advise and treatment options.

One reason that toenail fungus can be spread at a nail salon is not using sanitary tools. If any tool is re-used before being sanitised, it can result in the spread of toenail fungus. You should double check the procedures at your nail salon to be sure that they are operating a sanitary business. Another way to double check that you are receiving sanitary care is to bring your own instruments. Many people feel more comfortable knowing that the instruments for their pedicure are used only for them. This means that you can clean and sanitize your own tools, as well as guaranteeing that you won't be sharing any germs that can cause Fungal nail infections, Athletes foot, Bacterial infections, Warts, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

If you are looking for a convenient pedicure kit, then we have such a product on our online store. Just visit: http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=480 to see the SOS Safe Salon Pedicure Kit. This kit includes all natural tea tree and lavender Sole Savior Essential Moisturizing Oil (15ml), a professional grade cuticle nipper, a nail clipper, a cuticle pusher and curette cleaner, a nail brush, a nail file/buffer, a foot file, and toe separators (2 sets). All of this comes in a convenient case to help you keep it organized. Perhaps with all these tools you will feel confident in your ability to perform your own pedicures, saving you the time and money of going to the nail salon. These kits also make great gifts.