Treating Onychomycosis – Are Your Toes Ready for Sandal Season

Fungal infections of the toe nail become very obvious when wearing sandals. Most fungal nails infections can be treated with topical medications and a little bit of knowledge. Are you ready for sandal season?

(PRWEB) May 3, 2006 -- The official start of summer is signaled by kicking off your old winter shoes and putting on your summer sandals. But for 50 million Americans, fungal nail infections make them reluctant to enjoy open toe shoes. Thick, yellow fungus nails makes many people reluctant to show their toes in public. What can be done for fungal nail infections?

Fungal nail infections occur following trauma to the nail. Trauma may be significant or may be something as benign as short shoes rubbing up against the nail. Once the nail is injured, the door of susceptibility swings open enabling fungus to set-up shop in the nail. “Many fungal infections of the nail originate from pre-existing fungal infections of the skin” said Dr. Jeff Oster. Dr. Oster is medical director of Myfootshop.com, an on-line resource for foot and ankle information and products. “Fungal nail infections, called onychomycosis, thrive in a warm, humid and dark climate. There’s no better place for a fungus to grow than in a shoe” Oster said.

Dr. Oster recommends the following steps to treat fungal infections of the nail.

1. Trim the nail so that it returns to its’ normal shape. Podiatry offices use large professional nail nippers and battery powered grinders. These tools are readily available to consumers for home foot care.

2. Apply an antifungal solution to the nail twice a day for 6-8 months. It’s important to realize that compliance is the key. Success rates of topical antifungals run as high as 60-70% when patients are compliant.

3. Keep the feet dry. Be sure to leave the feet open to the air as much as possible. A topical drying solution helps dry the feet, decreasing the ability of the fungus to thrive.

4. Educate yourself about onychomycosis. The more you understand how to treat onychomycosis, the more effectively you’ll be able to stop it in its tracks. More information regarding onychomycosis can be found at http://www.myfootshop.com/detail.asp?condition=Onychomycosis.

So can you be ready for sandal season if you start treatment today? “Hopefully” says Dr. Oster. “The success of treatment depends upon an accurate diagnosis and patient compliance. I can’t stress the importance of compliance when treating onychomycosis.”

More information regarding onychomycosis and fungal infections of the feet can be found at www.myfootshop.com. Myfootshop.com can also be reached at 1-888-859-8901.

###