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.

Findlay's Day of Dance

The Advanced Footcare Clinic will be at the Day of Dance for Health event sponsored by Blanchard Valley Health Systems! The event is to raise awareness for women's health issues, as well as enjoy a day to enjoy different dance styles, watch dance performance groups, take in music, eat good food, sign up for give-a-ways, receive health screenings and even win door prizes. Our office will have a booth at this event to share valuable health information about your feet. When you are exercising or dancing regularly you can really improve your over-all health. But nothing will hinder your ability to do so quicker than sore feet. So we want to give you tips on how to avoid this type of pain, as well as making you aware that we are available when you do experience foot problems. We will also have special offers and products from our office. Our display will include examples of our new therapeutic shoes. We want our patients to see that our shoes are not what they traditionally think of as therapeutic shoes, but they have been updated to offer great style as well as great footcare. And these shoes are available to all our patients, not just diabetics. We will also have an offer on a free pair of Dr. Comfort brand slippers for anyone who makes an appointment to see the podiatrist. And lastly, we will be offering free giveaways on some of our most recommended moisturizers, creams, scrubs, soaks, and other products.

The event will be held on Saturday, February 27th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. It will be in the University of Findlay's Koehler Center and the admission fee is a toothbrush and/or tube of tooth paste for charity. There is no preregistration required. Any questions can be directed to 419-423-5551. We look forward to seeing you that Saturday to enjoy yourself and learn all about women's health needs.

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.