Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Tips For Good Foot Health There is no quick remedyfor treating toenail fungus, so by Dr. John Mozena, DPM, KFACFAS (NAPSA)—When it comes to personal health and hygiene, it’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward. Foot health is patience is important. Toenails need time to grow out as they heal. No matter what treatment especially important among runners, and in fact all exercise enthusiasts, since the feet are the “ you use, results will not be imme- diate. It takes a toenail at least a year to grow out. foundation for most types of physical activity. Proper foot care is essential in preventing serious problems and ensur- Q. How can toenail fungus be prevented? 7 ing that conditions Mozena such as toenail fun- .. 4 over 13 percent of People whoare physically active gus, which affects the U.S. population, are treated at should pay extra attention to the health of their feet and toenails. lems can slow down runners and athletes in general? A. Shin splints, cramps, blisters and athlete’s foot are all familiar problems that can affect brittle and crumble. Q. How is toenail fungus treated? A. People should consult with their doctor to determine the best course of treatment; especially an early stage. Q. What common foot prob- active people, but a common infec- tion that we don’t hear much about is toenail fungus. Sports enthusiasts are at an increased risk for fungus because the infection develops in a warm, moist environment. Wearing sweaty athletic shoes and socks is a key risk factor. Q. Whatare the signs of toe- nail fungus? A. The fungus actually infects the skin and then goes into the toenail, causing it to thicken. The toenail can eventually loosen and detach. Some common signs of a fungal infection include noticeable changesin color or a thickening of the toenails. They can also become those at risk for fungus such as individuals who exercise frequently, type 2 diabetics and the elderly. For mild to moderate cases, I prescribe Penlac Nail Lacquer(ciclopirox). This medication is indicated in immunocompetent patients with mild to mod- erate onychomycosis without lunula involvement, due to 7richophyton rubrum. It is the first and only topical prescription therapy approved by the FDA to treat toenail fungus. Applied daily with a brush, it safely tar- gets the site of infection without the risk of systemic side effects or drug interactions. A. Change sweaty running shoes and socks immediately after exercising and apply a foot powder. I also recommend drying the feet and between the toes thoroughly after a shower, wear- ing sandals in public showers, and examining the feet regularly for any sign of discoloration, detachment or crumbling of the nail. Q.What important safety information should I know about Penlac? A. Penlac, part of a compre- hensive management program, includes regular removal of the unattached, infected nail by a health care professional, espe- cially for patients with diabetes. Clinical data regarding systemic anti-fungals and Penlac is not available to support concomitant use. Penlac is well tolerated; treatment-related side effects were periungual erythema (5 percent) and nail disorder (2 percent). To learn more about foot health, speak with a podiatrist or visit www.penlac.com. John Mozena, DPM, FACEFAS, is one of the nation’s prominent podiatrists and an expert on foot health and running-related foot problems.
