We read a lot of fanciful claims on the Internet about home remedies for fungus nails. We would never recommend putting Vic’s Vaporub on your feet — unless you want to feel intolerable burning pain on a sensitive part of the body. Nor would we ever recommend a useless cornmeal foot soak or using white iodine. Yet, we have seen some doctors recommended LYSOL spray as a viable way of killing bacteria in shoes. We have several problems with this advice.

For One, Lysol Is Full Of Toxic Chemicals!

The Daily Beast ranked Lysol disinfectant spray among their “Most Toxic Home-Cleaning Products.” According to the paper, potentially harmful ingredients include: ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, and triethanolamine. These chemicals are “suspected of causing cancer, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, [and] respiratory toxicity.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues this warning about Lysol: “Hazard to humans and domestic animals. Causes eye irritation. Do not spray in eyes, on skin or on clothing…. May cause skin irritation upon prolonged or repeated contact…. If on skin, wash with plenty of soap and water. If irritation occurs or persists, get medical attention.” While it is only rated as a “slight risk,” it’s clearly stated that these chemicals should not be put on the skin.

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Women from the 1920s through 1960s were encouraged to use Lysol as a feminine hygiene product and contraceptive. Instead, they suffered burns and scarring. Not surprisingly, many women also became pregnant. Now THAT is a scam! We cannot trust a manufacturer that has played loose and fast with consumer safety in the past.

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What were they thinking??

Furthermore, Lysol is toxic to cats, as well as birds, reptiles and aquatic life. Do you really want your foot coming into contact with something that can kill a cat? We sure don’t. These harsh chemicals are not good for our environment.

Imagine it: once the Lysol is sprayed into a shoe, it is left to dry. However, as soon as the foot returns and walks around, the sweat re-moistens the chemicals, turning it into a foot bath of chemicals. Yuck!

Secondly, It’s Not Terribly Effective.

There is no doubt that Lysol kills bacteria on surfaces. There is no recommended medical use for it, though.

When asked directly in a forum whether Lysol would kill toenail fungus, the company plainly stated: “LYSOL Disinfectant Spray is not effective against Onychomycosis (toenail fungus).” There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth!

“Of all the home remedies that we’re aware of, Lysol is not one of them,” according to the Nail Fungus Research Team.  “They have a range of products that are all disinfectants of some kind or another but don’t believe they are in any way intended to eliminate nail fungus infections.  Dermatophytes are fungal agents — and not bacteria or germs — so it seems like a stretch to suggest that Lysol products could help kill cases of nail fungus. ”

Fungal nail laser treatment is honestly the best and only way to truly eliminate nail fungus for good. Then, one must wait until the nail grows out to be truly cured. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Toenail laser treatment offers a new alternative to oral medication, which carries a risk of liver damage, and a nail lacquer, which has poor efficacy.”

Home Remedies For Fungus Nails: Why Not Use UVC To Prevent Recurrence?

Of course, costly laser foot fungus removal is only part of the solution. ”Patients and some doctors have this expectation that because it’s a laser treatment, once you zap it and its gone forever,” said Bryan C. Markinson from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.”That totally ignores the fact that this is an infectious disease and that recurrence is a certainty” unless good prevention measures are taken.”

One of these preventative measures involves using harmless UVC light to kill up to 99.9% of the harmful bacteria in our shoes. The SteriShoe® UV shoe sanitizer is our best defense against smelly, filthy shoes. If you’re going to shell out $1,000 on laser treatment for fungal nails, why wouldn’t you spend another $129 to ensure it doesn’t return?

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UV light is so effective at killing up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria that hospitals use it to disinfect patients’ rooms. “When you use UV light, it goes everywhere in the room, not just where you use the cleaner. So it may provide a broader kill,” Toronto East General Hospital’s Dr. Jeff Powis told CTV News.

Contact us to learn more about our patented product today.

The post Home Remedies For Fungus Nails: Does Lysol Work? appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

One of the shames in our health care system is that the FDA only regulates for general safety. They’ll make sure pharmaceutical companies aren’t claiming to cure cancer or make us able to walk on water, but there is no investigation into the true efficacy of the products on drug store shelves. Unfortunately, foot cream for nail fungus is one of the scams.

“There is no quick fix with conventional remedies like topical creams, prescription lacquers, or oral medications,” Dr. John Sigle writes in a guest column for The State Journal Register of Illinois. “Each of these remedies is a long tedious process that works less than half the time. Buyers beware because many ads are misleading. Efficacy rates are not always accurate, risks are sometimes understated, and treatment costs can be higher than you think.”

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Source: Health 24 Online

Why Won’t Foot Cream For Nail Fungus Work?

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Source: Chapel Hill Foot & Ankle Care

The problem with any topical treatment is that it may not be able to penetrate the outermost layers of the body to reach the root of the malady. This is especially true of the hardy nail surface, which is naturally designed to protect the toes and underlying tissues. “It is very difficult for topical solutions to penetrate it to reach the actual site of the infection,” according to the Symphony Laser Center blog.

Dr. Sigle estimates that topical antifungal creams are only about 8% effective in clearing up the appearance of the nail and antifungal nail lacquers like Ciclopirox are only effective about 10% of the time with a cure rate of 10% or less. The lacquer treatment takes a good 48 weeks and must be applied daily, not to mention stripped and reapplied every seven days, Dr. Sigle adds.

What About Oral Antifungal Medicines?

“Over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments are available, but they aren’t very effective,” reports the Mayo Clinic. Instead, they say studies have shown that oral medications like terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) are “the most effective treatments.” Medication is typically prescribed for six to twelve weeks, although it could take at least four months for the nail to eliminate toenail fungus when the infected nail fully grows out. At best, Dr. Sigle reports that Terbinafine is effective 60 to 65 percent of the time, with a cure rate of 35 to 40 percent. Side effects may include rashes and liver damage. Often, weekly liver tests are required during treatment. People with congestive heart failure or liver disease should not take these drugs.

Laser Treatment Is Expensive, But More Effective Than Foot Cream For Nail Fungus.

Laser technology is FDA-approved to treat toenail fungus. The top manufacturers include: GenesisPlus, Pinpointe, Cutera, Q-Clear, and Aerolase. Efficacy rates range from 60 to 75 percent, says Dr. Sigle, and the average treatment takes 10 minutes to an hour with up to four sessions required. There are no reported side effects and no medication required. The bad news is that not every podiatrist offers this new treatment… and insurance companies do not cover the $750 to $1,000 fee, as they deem the procedure “cosmetic.”

Laser treatment is an investment, but it’s the best option for people who do not respond to oral medication or who are not able to pursue this course of action for health reasons. People who have recurring nail fungus will likely require laser treatment for fungal nails as well. The importance of self-management and care cannot be overstated. Keeping the feet, socks and shoes dry and clean will be paramount for a long-term nail fungus solution. It’s better than having your toenails removed!

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Source: FixAFungus.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not take the place of medical advice from your doctor.

The post Why Foot Cream For Nail Fungus Does Not Work appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Summer is coming and we all want to transition into those seasonal sandals. The Mayo Clinic recommends wearing sandals to let the feet “air out” as much as possible and prevent fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Yet, what if you already have onychomycosis (toenail fungus) and feel embarrassed about your thick, yellowed nails? Laser treatment shows promise to eliminate nail fungus, but is it the real deal? In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons.

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Source: Broward County Laser Nail Fungus Treatment Centers

Pros of Laser Treatment for Fungal Nails

• No risk of liver damage (as with anti-fungal pills) or need to come back in for liver tests
• Better results than prescription lacquer (which has a cure rate of less than 10%, says the NY Times)
• Less invasive than nail removal or surgery; most patients report no pain whatsoever
• Quick procedure — lasting just 30 minutes
• Done as an in-patient / out-patient treatment
• It’s considered safe and has F.D.A. approval

Cons of Fungal Laser Treatment

• Insurance does not cover treatment
• In some markets, it could cost up to $1,000
• You still have to wait for the nail to grow out
• Repeat procedures are needed in cases of stubborn infections
• There is no guarantee nail fungus will not come back

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(Sources: Nuvolase, Cutera, & LightAge Inc.)

Does Onychomycosis Laser Treatment Work?

In 2012, a team of researchers in Alberta reviewed all existing literature regarding the efficiency of laser onychomycosis treatment and concluded that laser treatment for fungus nails is the most effective treatment available. The authors noted that one clinical study showed a 100 percent clearance rate in 42 nails over the course of 12 months, without any side-effects. Another study that looked at patients of varying severity found that 85 percent showed improvement after four rounds of treatment over six months.

“As demonstrated by these studies, laser therapy has the potential to be an ideal treatment modality for onychomycosis,” researchers concluded. “Laser therapy is clean, efficient, effective, safe, and tolerable. It delivers an effective therapeutic dose to a limited area, with no potential for drug interactions.”

Who Should Get Onychomycosis Laser Treatment

Given all the pros of using lasers to cure toenail fungus fast, it’s an obvious choice for many patients. Talking to the NY Times, Dr. Boni E. Elewski reports that nail infections “can lead to serious health problems among people with diabetes and immune disorders.” So, if you are in one of these categories, seeking treatment should be a paramount concern.

Likewise, if unsightly fungus nails are putting a damper on your social life, then laser treatment makes sense here as well. However, you must also be in a financial position to afford the treatment and fully committed to preventing its recurrence. Spending a couple hundred or a thousand dollars on a single procedure is nothing to scoff at, but you will need to do your best to limit your exposure to fungi in the future. You’ll need to change wet socks, wear sandals or shower shoes in public places, and clean your shoes with UV light daily for any measure of true success.

The post Pros & Cons of Onychomycosis Laser Treatment appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Oral medication is seen as one of the first lines of defense to cure toenail fungus fast… but does it really work? And what potential side effects or risks are associated with taking pills for nail infection treatment? We explore the issue in today’s blog to help you choose a treatment that is right and effective for you…

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Nail Infection Treatment: Does Oral Medication For Foot Fungus Really Work?

A 2002 study by Scottish researchers at the University of Dundee found that 250 milligrams of terbinafine per day for three months was the most effective oral method of treating fungal infections on nails. To this day, this is still the preferred oral treatment and dosage recommended by WebMD.

However, scientists also concluded: “Consensus among researchers evaluating oral antifungal drugs for onychomycosis is needed to establish meaningful definitions of clinical cure. Most trials were funded by the pharmaceutical industry; we found little independent research, and this may have introduced bias to the review.”

A 2009 study (D. De Berker) published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Lamisil cured the infection in 55 percent of the patients and Sporanox cured infection in 26 percent of the patients after 16 weeks. So, oral medication for toenail fungus is only half effective? This is not the fungal nail solution people need.

What Risks & Side Effects Are Associated With Oral Medication For Toenail Fungus?

According to Dr. John Sigle, a podiatrist from the Foot & Ankle Center in Illinois, minor side effects include:

• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Skin rashes
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Mild itching
• Joint pain or weakness
• Runny nose or other cold symptoms

He adds, “Major side effects can include drug interactions, allergic reactions, liver damage or failure, and heart failure.” Oral medications should be used with caution, Dr. Sigle concludes.

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The literature given out by manufacturer Novartis states the risk in no uncertain terms. “Cases of liver failure, some leading to liver transplant or death, have occurred with the use of Lamisil Tablets in individuals with and without pre-existing liver disease,” they say. For this reasons, patients who are prescribed oral medication are often asked by their doctors to return for ongoing blood tests to monitor the liver during the course of treatment.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this home remedy for toenail infection. Furthermore, this drug inhibits the CYP4502D6 isozyme, which decreases the efficiency of other drugs, including: desipramine, cimetidine, fluconazole, cyclosporine, rifampin, and caffeine.

A Better Nail Fungus Solution

Not only are oral medications risky and not very effective to begin with, but 15 to 20 percent of patients taking it will develop another infection within the next year.

“To improve treatment outcomes and prevent recurrence, patients should be counseled about proper foot hygiene,” says Phillip Rogers MD and Mary Bassler MD from the University of Michigan Medical School. They explain that patients should be counseled to do the following:

• Wear breathable footwear and 100 percent cotton socks to keep their feet dry
• Wear foot protection in high-risk areas like communal bathing facilities

Here at SteriShoe®, we hear about many patients treating toenail fungus infection with lasers. This therapy costs anywhere from $600 to $1,000, and health care companies do not cover it. It seems silly to us that they would invest in a more substantial cure for nail fungus, but then put their feet right back into fungus-laden shoes again — which increases their risk of re-infection.

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There is currently no nail fungus solution on the market that can prevent re-infection. Proper foot hygiene and limiting exposure to fungi is the best a person can do. That’s why we created our UV shoe sanitizer — to aid people in keeping their environment as sanitary as possible. If you have any questions about shoe sterilization, please contact us.

The post Nail Infection Treatment: Oral Medication Risks & Side Effects appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

The general consensus among podiatrists is that it seems futile to treat a patient’s feet, without simultaneously doing something about his shoes. The dark, moist environment surrounding the feet can serve as potential reservoirs of reinfection. Shoe Care Innovations Inc. of Redwood City, California is the manufacturer behind breakthrough technology that helps people in keeping their shoes sanitary to limit exposure to dangerous microbes.

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Source: Daily Speculations

Why Is A UV Shoe Sanitizer Needed?

Approximately 35 million Americans have toenail fungus, according to the APMA. This fungus is very expensive to treat, especially using the most effective laser method. Yet, the possibility of reinfection is very high if patients are not careful about limiting their exposure to fungi.

“Every step we take compresses the sock and squeezes the germs and sweat back and forth between the foot and the shoe. There has been no way to clean the inside of our shoes, until the SteriShoe sanitizer, so we don’t think about what’s growing inside them,” said Adam Ullman, president and CEO of Shoe Care Innovations, in a press release.

A UV shoe sanitizer is also recommended for diabetic patients (who run the risk of foot amputations), people with particularly malodorous feet, and the Americans who are especially susceptible to athlete’s foot infections.

How Does A UV Shoe Sanitizer Work?

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Source: National Water Program

It’s no secret that UV light is a powerful sanitization tool. UVC light is a powerful germicide that is routinely used in hospitals and other health care facilities. One study by Duke and University of North Carolina researchers found that UVC light could eliminate some of the most problematic, antibiotic-resistant germs found in hospitals.

“The findings of this study suggest that UV light could hold promise for eliminating bacteria from hospital rooms and reducing the risk of infection with these difficult bacterial pathogens in the healthcare environment,” wrote Liise-anne Pirofski, MD, a chair for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. This is just one report from a wealth of research that supports the use of UV light to kill bacteria, fungus and pathogens.

We all know that UV light exposure is not recommended for people, however, due to its powerful nature. So the manufacturers outfitted the device with a number of safety features, including an automatic shut-off, shoe bags that block all UV light from the user, and a compression sensor that requires the device to turn-on only if it’s actually inside a shoe. After a brief 45-minute cycle, the disinfected shoe is ready for wearing again.

Why Is SteriShoe The Best Sanitizer For Shoes On The Market?

SteriShoe® is the only UV shoe sanitizer with a “Seal of Acceptance” from the American Podiatric Medical Association. The product was developed with input from three distinguished medical professionals – Dr. Bryan Markinson, Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the Mount Sinai School  of Medicine; Dr. Andrew Shapiro, a board-certified podiatric surgeon and trustee for the New York State Podiatric Medical Association; and Dr. Warren Joseph, a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Given the level of professional experience that went into the development of this product, it’s no surprise that thousands of doctors across America are now recommending this UV shoe sanitizer to their patients.

Beware of Imposters, Warns Podiatrist

“Buyer beware: the shUVee is a scam,” warns Dr. Mark E. Spier, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Columbia, Maryland. He points to a claim filed in June of 2012 by the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP), the investigation branch of the Better Business Bureau.

In this claim, the ERSP recommended that Angel Sales, Inc. modify or discontinue false advertising claims for the shUVee Shoe Deodorizer. The manufacturer voluntarily rescinded claims that the product used UV light to sanitize the shoes, that clinical studies had been conducted, and that “many doctors” recommended the shUVee product.

The so-called “laboratory tests” were conducted by the manufacturer using a shUVee prototype on pieces of cloth and plastic. Though some germ-killing ability was reported, no test evaluated the product’s performance once it was inside a shoe and there were no independently conducted studies to verify the manufacturer’s data.

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Source: Original

“Obviously, we need to scrutinize what people say and claim, as our reputation is at risk if we do not,” Dr. Spier says. “For me, SteriShoe® is the way to sanitize shoes. Their published study in JAPMA is obviously solid data and they wouldn’t have filed this complaint unless they knew the shUVee was making false statements. I am a bit surprised that the shUVee is still for sale.”

The post What Is A UV Shoe Sanitizer? appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Women react differently to being pregnant. Some women, like Megan Fox, frolic at the beach, without a care in the world.

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Source: Snarkerati

Others may feel a little less comfortable with their new look, or even depressed. Either way, the last thing women want to worry about at this magical time in life is… unsightly toenail fungus! Ick! As you know, growing a delicate fetus takes a lot of careful planning. You can’t just take any old medication while you’re pregnant. In this article, we’ll discuss safe ways to get rid of toenail fungus during your pregnancy.

When To Eliminate Nail Fungus – Before or After Pregnancy?

The decision of when to treat fungal nails depends on your tolerance level. There are safe ways to tackle fungus while pregnant. Following a pregnancy, many women find a renewed sense of enthusiasm to eliminate nail fungus post-partum. Once you’re burning 500 to 800 calories breastfeeding and packing your meals full of healthy nutrients, you’ll find the weight is coming off quickly and you’re looking good. This can be a great time to seek toenail fungus help. That being said, treatment can’t always wait.

Is Lamisil Safe During Pregnancy?

One woman in the HealthBoards.com forum said she had to stop her Lamisil treatment once she learned she was pregnant. People taking Lamisil generally need to have their livers periodically checked during treatment to ensure there are no complications. Other side effects include: diarrhea, headache, rashes, and changes in taste.

The trouble with oral medication is that it doesn’t always work — especially if your shoes are still teeming with bacteria. Your best bet is to save up for fungal nail laser treatment and invest in a SteriShoe® UV shoe sanitizer to limit your contact with bacteria that congregates in the shoes.

What About OTC Medications and Home Remedies?

You can certainly waste your time and money on topical treatments that claim to be “safe for pregnant women” and old wives’ tale treatments like Vicks or Listerine if you want. However, “each of these remedies is a long tedious process that works less than half the time,” warns Dr. John Sigle writes in a guest column for The State Journal Register.

“I had the laser treatment in November,” said one woman at HealthBoards.com. “My podiatrist also recommended the copper socks and the SteriShoe® sterilizers. I also threw away my sheets and old socks. She advised that I spray my toes with an anti-fungal spray (1% tolnaftate) used to treat athletes foot after showering. I didn’t have any luck with the vinegar, Vicks, Listerine, etc… but this definitely worked for me.”

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Source: McDowell Podiatry

Are PinPointe Foot Laser Treatments Safe For Pregnant Women?

“There are no age or health restrictions or limitations – even pregnant women can undergo laser treatment,” according to the Central Carolina Foot & Ankle Associates. During the procedure, there is no numbing or anesthesia needed. You may feel slight warmth where the laser is penetrating the nail. It’s a simple walk-in procedure that is over in less than an hour.

After that, you’ll still have to wait for your nail to grow out, but you’ll have a better chance of clearing up your fungus. “The odds of success are better with the laser,” Washington Podiatrist Stephen J. Kominsky told the Washington Post. In the meantime, buffing the nails and painting them can yield a more pleasant appearance as the old fungal nails grow out. Despite the proven efficiency of laser toenail treatments, there is always a possibility of re-infection, so a continuous prevention strategy must be in place for a true “cure.”

The post Safe Ways To Get Rid of Toenail Fungus During Pregnancy appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Each spring, love is in the air, as the weather begins to warm up and the flowers bloom. Once the bliss of the proposal settles, the sobering reality of all that you have to do kicks in. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, without having to worry about finding a fast toenail fungus cure — not to mention a way to pay for it!

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Source: Northwestern Mutual

By far, the most efficient way to eliminate toenail fungus and get those feet honeymoon-ready is to seek onychomycosis laser treatment.  Dr. John Mozena DPM explains that the cure rates for nail lacquers and oral medication is around 34%, at best. Furthermore, recurrence rates are around 22% for oral therapy, he says. On the other hand, “Utilizing very specific wavelengths, the newer lasers are able to cause photo damage and/or ablation of the fungus within the toenail,” according to Dr. Mozena. He recommends the Noveon laser and PinPointe FootLaser since “early studies with these devices show high efficacy rates.”

Yet, the cost for laser nail treatment for fungal nails can be prohibitive for some, especially couples who are saving up for a big wedding. According to the Wall Street Journal, the course of treatment costs $750 to $1,500, and generally isn’t covered by insurance. So what can you do? 

Use A Health Care Credit Card.

Bankrate recommends using a specialized health care credit card to pay for your essential treatment. These cards include the GE Money CareCredit and ChaseHealthAdvance. Once you are approved, you decide the length of the repay schedule. If you choose a term of three to eighteen months, you will pay no interest, as long as you pay your bill on time.  On the eighteen to sixty-month schedule, you pay a rate of 13.9 percent or higher, depending on your credit score.

Work It Out With Your Provider.

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Source: CNN

It doesn’t hurt to ask prospective laser foot fungus removal providers if they accommodate you with an in-house payment plan. “I think the health care system is getting set up to be a lot more accommodating to people who are having trouble paying their bills and can demonstrate that,” says Steve Findley, senior health policy analyst with Consumers Union in New York.

“Providers, from what we’re hearing, are open to working with consumers. There has been a move on the part of hospitals for some time to loosen things up because they were getting a bad reputation for being so Draconian with collections,” he adds. Often, under an in-house arrangement, a podiatrist will send you the bill each month and you pay what you can until the amount has been paid in full.

Use Your Health Savings Account.

Laser Nail Center recommends paying for treatment with funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA), Medical Individual Retirement Account (Medical IRA) or other Flexible Medical Spending Accounts (Medical FSA). Even if you haven’t saved up so far, you can ask your employer if any of these programs are offered and start saving now. For many people, it’s just easier to have the money deducted from their paychecks automatically, so it’s out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

Additional Tips For Your Laser Toenail Fungus Cure:

• Shop Around. It’s wise to shop around to see what offers are available in your area. For instance, patients in New Jersey can go to Dr. Boris Raginsky DPM and receive laser toenail treatment on both feet for just $449, under his current promotion. Just be sure you are seeing an experienced podiatrist to have the work done, rather than a beauty spa.

• Prevent Recurrence. No one wants to pay for laser toenail fungus removal only to find that it’s come back just a few months later. Unfortunately, if you’re not willing to limit your exposure to fungus, it will return! We recommend disinfecting all your socks, changing your habits to ensure you never walk barefoot in public places, resisting the temptation to share personal hygiene items (like towels) with anyone else, and investing in a SteriShoe® UV shoe sanitizer to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and fungus that may harm your feet.

The Bottom Line:

There are many financial issues to sort out as you prepare for marriage — from how you’ll deal with your student loans, to how you’ll pay for necessary medical treatments. Think of it as an early test of your commitment to one another. You’ll have to endure many hardships together over the years, but thinking smart to come up with a solution and set the tone for your future will make your bond even stronger.

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Source: Business Insider

The post 3 Ways To Pay For Laser Toenail Fungus Cure Without Going Into Debt Before Your Wedding appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Toenail fungus can be an expensive and stubborn malady to treat. Did you know that the oral antifungal Lamisil could cost up to $15.59 per pill at RXUSA.com? One month of treatment adds up to over $467 and you’ll be paying $5,612 by the time you make it through the full course of toenail fungus treatments.

Worse yet, only a little over half of the people who take it are actually “cured.” Other treatments, such as laser therapy, could cost up to $1,500. The high price tag associated with treatment doesn’t mean you have to suffer with toenail fungus. It just means you may need to be a little more resourceful in finding ways to pay for it. In this article, we’ll let you know how to find clinical trials for toenail fungus treatments, so you won’t have to pay a dime.

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Image Source: CRAStudies.com

Clinical Research Advantage

You can search trials by state at www.CRAStudies.com. Currently, there is a trial for toenail fungus going on in Indiana. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 70 with at least one big toenail affected are invited to contact Clinical Research Advantage for information on their current study.

ClinicalTrials.gov

You can search the left hand column at the National Institutes of Health website, www.ClinicalTrials.gov, for clinical trials that are “recruiting.” For instance, one of the current trials is looking for men and women between the ages of 25 and 75 who have onychomycosis. Patients are disqualified if they have used nail lacquer within six months or topical treatments within two weeks prior to the study.

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Image Source: EndeavorCT.com

Endeavor Clinical Trials

Endeavor Clinical Trials currently has studies going for toenail fungus, athlete’s foot and diabetic foot ulcer treatments. Your medication would be covered as part of the study and they also offer some type of compensation for time and travel. You may be eligible if at least one big toe is affected and you have not tried any other solution in the past 30 days.

A Word About Clinical Trials

It’s important that you weigh the pros and cons of clinical trials for onychomycosis treatment. The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics says that trials do give you access to promising new treatment methods you could never get otherwise and that you would be helping others with the same condition. On the downside, the newer drugs or treatments are not always better than normal treatment and the risks are not always fully known. If you do plan to participate in a clinical trial for toenail fungus treatment, be sure to ask questions about your privacy and how your data will be protected.

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Image Source: KATU.com

Other Options To Pay For Toenail Fungus Treatments

Prices vary wildly when shopping for medications to eliminate toenail fungus. KATU News based out of Portland, Oregon found that Rite Aid charged $344.99 for a month’s supply of Lamisil, while Wal-Mart charged $4 for the generic equivalent. Often it pays to look into state offerings, the news station reports. “Families that don’t qualify for Medicaid or that have high deductibles can enroll in the Oregon Prescription Drug Program.  Every Oregon resident qualifies, and it could save you 60 percent.”

The post How To Find Clinical Trials For Toenail Fungus Treatments appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

If you want to treat toenail fungus, one of the most important aspects of recovery is limiting contact with harmful microbes and bacteria that builds up in the shoe. People who have paid to undergo laser treatment for fungal nails are especially concerned about making the most of their investment and preventing a recurrence. Can antimicrobial socks help?

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Image Source: AdPunch.org

Silicone Quaternary Amine Polymer Socks

According to StraightDope.com, Bioguard antimicrobial socks are  ”treated with a potent antimicrobial agent made by Dow Corning, a sister company of the firm that once manufactured napalm.” (Yikes!) The article goes on to say that the socks use a polymer called  silicone quaternary amine, which has been shown in one study to decrease bacteria by 27 to 36%. Of course, that’s just one type of antimicrobial sock. There are, of course, many different patented formulas besides this one.

Silver Nanoparticle Socks

Another type of germicidal sock is made with silver nanoparticles. It’s hard to believe these socks are still on the market after a 2009 study, where Swiss scientists proved that the silver nonparticles were, in fact, coming off the socks in the wash.

A 2012 follow-up study by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden discovered that these leeched nanoparticles were causing harm to wildlife. “If the negative environmental impact is to be avoided, either the silver concentration in clothing or consumption of silver nanoparticle-treated clothing must be limited,” said lead researcher Rickard Arvidsson.

Benjamin Colman, a chemist at Duke University, took a closer look at how antimicrobial nanosilver worked. He found that, while the product in germicidal socks did decrease the enzyme activity of microbial populations by 34%, “ the tub containing silver nanoparticles also produced four times more nitrous oxide than the control tub.” Mother Nature News explains, ”Since nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas, this means contaminated wastewater could increase the effects of global warming if nanoparticles are used on a large scale.”

Just this month, researchers at the University of New South Wales discovered that bacteria is adapting to evade being killed by nanosilver particles. “We found an important natural ability of a widely occurring bacteria to adapt quite rapidly to the antimicrobial action of nanosilver. This is the first unambiguous evidence of this induced adaptation,” said co-author Dr Cindy Gunawan.

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Socks Made With Triclosan

A third type of antibacterial sock is made with triclosan — which can also be found as the active ingredient in certain medications, as well as pesticides, deodorants and household cleaning products. According to the Eco-Centric blog, Biofresh socks are made with triclosan, for example.

“But it was recently found somewhere less welcome: In the urine of 75 percent of us, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” NPR reports. “The urine study, plus recent research showing potential hormone disruption in animals, has regulators reevaluating triclosan’s presence in so many products.” While the FDA has been hesitant to act, Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Ed Markey called for an outright ban.

Antimicrobial Socks Made With Copper Fibers

In 2008, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that manufacturers were making false claims about copper socks and their supposed “antimicrobial” properties. Some sock makers claimed “99.9% of the germs on your feet would be killed in two hours” of wearing the socks. It’s important to note that the EPA has not approved antimicrobial copper for use in clothing, since there are no studies demonstrating its efficacy.

Furthermore, lab tests only show that copper has some antimicrobial property against five types of bacteria — Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus(MRSA), E.coli , and Staphylococcus aureus. However, there are at least seven main types of bacteria… and there is no evidence to suggest that copper can kill germs on a person’s feet.

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Antimicrobial Socks — The Bottom Line:

The rise of poorly-tested antimicrobial clothing disturbs us. The potential for harming our bodies and environment in such an unregulated niche is alarming, at best. Much of this technology is fairly new — developed over the last 30 years or so — and regulatory bodies like the FDA and EPA have been slow to tell manufacturers which materials they can or can’t use. They say it’s up to the consumers to tell the difference, but we think that’s unfair. Antimicrobials are so pervasive in our society now, it’s hard to get away from them. Instead of treating toenail fungus with products like antimicrobial socks — which are not proven and may actually be harmful — we would rather use doctor-approved natural UV light to kill off the harmful microbes in our shoes.

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Is beer a good enough reason to plan your travel around it this summer? We don’t know about that, but there are some enticing opportunities for self-professed craft beer aficionados. For instance, New Belgium Brewery is running a “Tour de Fat: Beer, Bikes & Bemusement” festival in cities like Atlanta, Denver, San Diego and Minneapolis. Brooklyn Brewery from New York and Deschutes from Oregon are also making the rounds with traveling beer events.

Yet, what really caught our eye was The Spa at Four Seasons in Vail, Colorado — which is offering a new “Amber Ale Foot Soak” on their spa menu. Is this supposed to be a treatment for foot fungus?

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Beer Foot Bath: A Cure For Foot Fungus?

For this treatment, you relax with a crushed barley and malt foot scrub, finished off with a light foot rub, using hop oil.

“What could that possibly we do?” we wondered.

According to the description, “The yeast from the beer bath promotes a purifying and cleansing effect on the feet. Extremely beneficial for any mild fungal issues, the scrub benefits circulation and removes excess skin buildup making the feet smooth and fresh.”

We’ve seen similar claims on the internet. A Yahoo! network contributor claimed that: “Beer contains yeast and that’s the one thing the fungus can’t tolerate. You’ll be rid of the discoloration in no time when you begin a regimen where you do a beer foot soak, every night, until the fungus is gone.”

NailFungus.org makes this statement in support of foot beer baths to kill toenail fungus: “By combining the vinegar and acidophilus, you are creating a negative climate for the nail fungus. High acidity environments kill off unproductive bacteria like fungus, while still allowing productive bacteria, like acidophilus to thrive and encourage their pro-biotic tendencies to help fight off infection. The alcohol in the beer works to soften the tissue around the nail as well as the nail itself, thus allowing the acidic environment to permeate (enter) the nail in order to do its job.”

They say this treatment takes about a month to twelve weeks to show results. We suspect the fungus may be gone by the time the whole nail grows out –regardless of the beer bath. This does occasionally happen, but is not typical.

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Antifungal Properties of Beer

A study by scientists at Sapporo Medical University in Japan found that humulone, a chemical compound in hops, can guard against a virus that  causes severe forms of bronchitis and pneumonia in children. It also guards against inflammation, researchers said. As for brewer’s yeast, supplements have been used to treat everything from diarrhea and the common cold to boils and type 2 diabetes. However, Web MD reports that “more evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of brewer’s yeast for these uses.”

Unfortunately, the scientific research backing claims of brewer’s yeast ability to fight fungus is very limited — not to mention, flawed by design. “Determining the effectiveness of brewer’s yeast… is hampered by the fact that many studies use combinations of differing bacterial and yeast strains,” according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “This makes it difficult to know whether only one or all of the components are needed for a beneficial effect.”

It is also important to note that the science focuses on yeast’s effects inside the body, rather than applied topically on the skin. We were unable to dig up any evidence suggesting that the body is able to “assimilate” antifungal agents through a beer soak and fight foot fungus that way.

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The Bottom Line On Foot Fungus:

As far as our team of medical consultants tell us, foot fungus doesn’t usually disappear on its own. One of the more effective treatments — oral pills — isn’t even able to kill off the persistent foot fungus all of the time. Some people need to undergo expensive laser treatments, sanitize their shoes daily, and keep their feet covered to prevent a recurrence. Research shows that our propensity to contract foot fungus may have something to do with genetics, so some people may require more aggressive treatment and vigilance than others. We’ll all about affordable methods for toenail fungus treatment, but it’s a shame to see so many “cures” touted, without giving people raw data that makes sense. A beer foot soak may sound nice, but it’s not going to “cure” anything.

The post Will The New Beer Foot Baths at Four Seasons Cure My Foot Fungus? appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

LivingSocial is a daily deal site that has become popular with businesses looking for a quick cash grab, as well as customers in search of a bargain. However, there are certain dangers in signing up for a medical service like laser toenail fungus surgery just because it looks like a good deal. Here are some of the risks to consider.

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1. Your personal information could be compromised.

Last month, 50 million LivingSocial passwords were obtained by hackers, exposing customers’ names, email addresses, dates of birth and computer security passwords. The more business you do online and the more accounts you have open, the more vulnerable you will be to identity thieves.

2. You might miss the expiration date.

This ad for a $230 laser toenail fungus treatment expires on December 4, 2013. While that may seem like a lot of time, it can still be a risk for some buyers. If you forget about your purchase or fail to go in for your appointment before then, you will be out of that money. LivingSocial lets you keep a credit to go toward another promotion if that does happen, but even this value will eventually expire on June 6, 2018. If you tend to be a forgetful person, a daily deal may not be for you. Also, there is a clause that says a cancellation with less than 24 hours notice may result in the forfeiture of your deal.

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3. You’ll need to read the fine print.

It can be easy to get caught up by a perceived deal — but before you know it, you’ve paid $99 for a daily deal to have two toes treated, rather than the whole foot, as you may have imagined. The reason many businesses do specials on daily deal sites is to get warm bodies through their front doors. From there, you may subject to an onslaught of up-sells. Before you know it, you may walk out of the spa having paid the $500 to $1,500 it would have cost to see a professional anyway.

4. There is no guarantee you’ll see an expert.

While the risks for laser treatment for fungal nails are relatively low, you still want a medical professional to do the procedure. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and blistering. “With any ‘new’ medical therapy… it’s best to go to an expert,” writes Dr. Jen Gunter. “That way you can get a correct diagnosis and hear about all your options before proceeding with the laser treatment.”

She goes on to explain that sometimes a spa misrepresents their facility as being overseen by a “board-certified” doctor, but the doctor could be certified as a gynecologist or dentist, technically! Furthermore, doctors could be “trained” by some overseas diploma factory for all you know. That’s not the sort of person you want performing a medical treatment on you! Legitimate doctors do advertise on LivingSocial, but it’s up to you, the consumer, to exercise due diligence and look into who is providing the service.

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5. There is no guarantee the laser toenail fungus surgery will work.

Different facilities use different laser systems. Pretty much across the board, there are no guarantees the laser treatment will be 100% effective. In fact, many people find that they have a recurrence of toenail fungus almost immediately. The main reason that happens is that people put their fungus-free feet right back into a fungus-laden shoe, which causes contamination again. That’s why we recommend taking every step you can to limit the risk of a recurrence after your laser toenail fungus treatment. If you truly want to eradicate toenail fungus once and for all, invest in a SteriShoe sanitization device to clean the bacteria and fungus from your shoes daily.

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Are you wondering what causes toenail fungus? Do you wear a lot of pointy, high-heeled shoes or dress shoes? Are you finding that your feet appear to be in-between sizes and you are regularly wearing shoes that feel a tad too small? The problem many people make is that they try on shoes first thing in the morning, before the feet have had a chance to swell to their maximum size. This leaves many individuals with cramped toes — and some experts say that’s cause for chronic toenail fungus.

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Can Tight Shoes Cause Toenail Fungus?

In a word: YES!

According to Web MD, people who are worried about toenail fungus infection should avoid tight, enclosed shoes. “Injury to the tips of the toenails because of tight shoes may be the biggest single factor that leads to recurrence of a fungal nail infection,” they write.

The Foot Health Network adds that, “Athletes and people who wear tight-fitting shoes or tight hosiery that cause trauma to the toes or keep the feet from drying out are at higher risk [of developing toenail fungus].”

The Cleveland Plain Dealer blames tight shoes and an older population for the rise in onychomycosis. It affects 32 percent of the population between the ages of 60 and 70, and nearly half of all people by age 70. However, young people can get toenail fungus too if they are exposed to the pathogen and have a cut in the skin whereby the fungus can enter the body.

In preventing chronic toenail fungus, the Columbia University Student Health Center recommends that people “wear shoes with good support and a wide toe area.” By contrast, they advise, “Do not wear pointed shoes that press the toes together.”

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What Causes Toenail Fungus: Dirty Shoes!

Tight shoes are not the whole story, however. Tight shoes may cause cuts and injuries to the toenail that can invite fungus in. Of course, you need to also come into contact with that type of dangerous fungus as well. There are over 100 types of fungus on our feet right now — but not all of them cause adverse reactions in the body. Walking around barefoot makes the body more vulnerable to attack, but so does wearing dirty, contaminated, wet shoes.

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SteriShoe Is Recommended In The Battle Against Toenail Fungus

The Center for Foot & Ankle Care in Florida recommends using the patented SteriShoe ultraviolet shoe sanitizer as part of a complete treatment for onychomycosis. This device kills off up to 99.9% of the harmful organisms in the shoe. While you should still do your best to keep your feet dry by choosing socks and shoes wisely and alternating pairs of shoes, SteriShoe is an important part of the prevention process, especially if you’ve had recurring brushes with the fungus.

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Where is the data to support Tetra Corp’s claims that their new Clean Sweep shoe spray can truly “eliminate 99.9% of bacteria?” That’s what the makers of SteriShoe® UV Shoe Sanitizer are wondering. “Assuming that nanosilver is actually a germicide, what concentration of nanosilver is needed for a solution to be germicidal and does this product achieve this?” asks Adam Ullman.

The makers of the SteriShoe sanitizer went through great lengths to develop and test their shoe sanitizer device, which works using UV light — like hospitals use to sanitize surfaces. The scientific studies are published for the public to review on the SteriShoe website.  Unfortunately, other manufacturers are not so diligent.

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Does The Nanosilver In Clean Sweep Shoe Spray Work?

A 2005 study conducted by the University of Texas and Mexico University, and published in The Journal of Nanotechnology, revealed that silver nanoparticles could kill HIV-1, MRSA and avian flu, among other viruses. While the study showed some promise, this was a controlled study in a laboratory. Was nanosilver actually tested sprayed on shoes, out in the real world? It’s not enough to point to one ingredient and claim efficiency, without the data to back it up.

Are We Just Creating New Super Bugs?

A team of researchers at Rice University found that exposure to sub-lethal doses of silver ion-releasing nanoparticles improved bacterial survival rates. “They warn that manufacturers including nanosilver in their products need to carefully consider how much is needed to effectively kill the bacteria,” says Chemistry World magazine, ”or it could actually have the opposite effect, promoting survival.”

Dr. Samuel Luoma from the University of California-Davis, explains, “The biggest environmental danger with nano-silver and probably for human health as well is if hundreds of these products are used by millions of people. If it’s used wrong [nano-silver] and if it’s over-used, then you could indeed find resistance. There are a large amount of products with unknown and unproved effectiveness and unproven necessity—their presence on the market is a way of unnecessarily increasing risk.”

The Australians also warn against overuse of silver nanoparticles. Scientists in the U.S. and the EPA are looking into potential hazards for the environment if nanosilver is absorbed into the skin and washed away into the water supply. Right now the potential ramifications of widespread nanosilver use is not fully known.

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Is Nanosilver Spray Safe?

The long-term side effects of exposure to nanosilver has not been well tested. Professor Ken Donaldson told The Scotsman that he was alarmed to find people drinking nanosilver and using it as a “cure-all spray.” He added, “We bought some nanosilver samples from the internet and found that some had very high levels of toxicity. Others were not even silver, and the particles were not nano-sized, but as there is no regulation, people were selling them anyway.”

As the chairman of respiratory toxicology at the University of Edinburgh, Donaldson confirms, “There are entire textbooks written on the toxicity of metals and you don’t want to disturb the balance in your body. There are studies where animals have been fed nanosilver and you can detect the harmful effects on their weight and general health.” He adds that he would like to see “how these products are testing themselves and claiming to be safe for children.”

The EPA ran one of the most comprehensive reviews of the silver nanoparticles used in sprays. They reported, “In one case study, Trop et al. (2006) reported that the body can clear silver from the blood once the exposure has been terminated. Cases of argyria and argyrosis (accumulation of silver in the eye), which are generally believed to be irreversible conditions, demonstrate that the body cannot completely clear silver from all organs. How much of an absorbed dose remains as a residual burden, however, is not well understood.”

They add that the observed human effects of nano-Ag may include: inflammation, growth inhibition, molecular damage, mitochondrial disruption and changes in cell morphology. Animal studies show exposure can lead to changes in gene expression and vital organ inflammation. While they came short of classifying nanosilver as any kind of hazard to human health, their summary did encourage more scientific testing to fill the research gaps.

Christopher Perkins and his colleagues at the University of Connecticut assessed more than 235 products using nanosilver to determine possible effects these particles might have in the human body, on a cellular level. The take-home message, Perkins said, is that silver nanoparticles can materially alter immunity, in some cases “taking away the ability for your immune system to deal with pathogens.”

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The Bottom Line:

In science, there is no such thing as a blanket application. We understand that UV light can be dangerous if a person directly exposes his or her eyes or skin to it. However, it is harmless to the human body when used for sanitization purposes in a closed environment. You’ll notice that the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer contains many fail-safes to protect consumers’ health. For instance, the UV light will not turn on unless the shoes are compressed and in a dark environment (i.e. inside a shoe), thus preventing any exposure to the user. Furthermore, the product automatically shuts off when it’s done with its 45-minute sanitizing cycle. Rather than bombard doctors with questionable claims of efficacy, the makers of SteriShoe took the old-fashioned approach: extensive scientific research. Once the data was presented, the facts were plain to see: UV light is a much safer way to sanitize the shoes from microbes than any shoe spray or powder. This is why the SteriShoe sanitizer is the only clinically proven way to sanitize a shoe.

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The microbes that cause toenail fungus are lurking everywhere in our environment — on gym floors, near swimming pools, on our clothing, and in our own backyards. Not surprisingly, 1 out of 10 adults will develop onychomycosis at some point. The nail swells, yellows, and becomes brittle at the edges. Unfortunately,  it’s not as easy to get rid of as it is to catch. Laser nail fungus removal represents the latest advance in onychomycosis treatment, but it’s expensive. The question remains: Is laser treatment for fungal nails really worth it?

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What Is Laser Nail Fungus Removal Like?

Treatments can be done in a clinical outpatient setting in just 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on the severity of the fungal infection, it could take one to four treatments. It’s not fully understood how the laser kills the fungus, but some experts say it prompts the body’s own natural defenses to clear the nail.

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Why Is Laser Nail Treatment Better Than Other Therapies?

Other than laser therapy, it is said the best fungal nails treatment out there is Lamisil, an oral medication that must be taken daily for 90 days. The downside to Lamisil is that it only works on two out of three people, and it has been associated with rare cases of liver damage so people taking it will have to go to the doctor for regular liver function tests. This medication is not cheap, either — costing $250 to $1,500 to complete the course of treatment. Inexpensive topical medications are essentially useless — working less than 10% of the time.

How Much Does It Cost To Eliminate Nail Fungus With Lasers?

Laser nail fungus removal costs $995 to $1,200 on average, depending on the state, the clinic, the number of toes infected, the thickness of the nails, and the type of laser used. Unfortunately, insurance companies deem this a “cosmetic procedure,” so they can get out of paying for it. People with Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Individual Retirement Accounts (Medical IRA) or other Flexible Medical Spending Accounts (Medical FSA) can use these funds to cover the procedure. Otherwise, it will need to be paid for out-of-pocket.

Does It Work? Is Laser Nail Fungus Removal Worth The Cost?

New Jersey podiatrist Anas Khoury says the laser treatment works for about 80% of his patients once the fungal nail grows out. A clinical trial found that the Noveon laser worked in more than a third of patients, which is not very impressive. However, Nomir published a small company-funded study that found 85% of the nails demonstrated new growth without fungus. PinPointe supplied The Wall Street Journal with unpublished data from 265 patients suggesting a 71.4% success rate after one year.

As Dr. Bryan C. Markinson told the WSJ, “Patients and some doctors have this expectation that because it’s a laser treatment, once you zap it and its gone forever. That totally ignores the fact that this is an infectious disease and that recurrence is a certainty” — unless good prevention methods are in place. For this reason, many doctors and podiatrists recommend limiting one’s exposure to pathogens by sanitizing the shoes with the SteriShoe UV light sanitizer each day to kill up to 99.9% of the fungus harbored there.

So the answer is: Yes, fungal nail removal is worth the money — but only if you are willing to work toward prevention.

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Toenail fungus is often picked up in moist environments like public gyms, showers, locker rooms, and swimming pool areas. This unsightly malady is typically contracted by people with compromised immune systems, such as diabetics or people who have had previous fungal infections. Hot, wet shoes and socks create a breeding ground for fungus to thrive. Since fungus replicates through the disbursement of spores, you can imagine what sort of shape your shoes are in!

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How Is Toenail Fungus Cured?

Topical nail treatments like butenafine can be successful, but only after a full year of daily use. Oral medication like terbinafine (Lamisil) is more effective, but also requires regular monitoring of liver function over the course of the three-month treatment. Newer technologies like laser toenail fungus treatment are promising, but can cost $1,000 out-of-pocket.

Why Are Fungal Infections So Hard To Treat?

Unfortunately, many people who treat their toenail fungus infections end up getting them again at some point. Recurrence rates ranging from 6.5% to 53% have been reported by people who have used oral antifungal drugs. According to a presentation titled “Progression and Recurrence of Onychomycosis” by Dr. Joseph Warren DPM, Dr. Jeffrey Robbins DPM and Dr. Richard K. Scher MD, “Patients prone to onychomycosis are often not permanently cured with therapy.” As a result, onychomycosis should be viewed as “a progressive and recurring condition” that is “controllable, rather than curable.”  Genetic predispositions can complicate matters. Furthermore, proper toenail fungus treatment requires a broad approach.

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Contaminated Shoes Only Spell More Toenail Fungus.

Fungal spores left in the shoes can break open and re-infect the skin and toenails months after an infection has cleared. One of the first proactive steps toenail fungus sufferers must take is to stop walking around barefoot! Instead, shoes with a wide, soft, square toebox, arch support and thick-rigid sole should be worn at all times. This will prevent micro-trauma to the toenails caused by tight toeboxes or flimsy soles. Some people treat their feet with anti-fungal sprays like Tinactin, but powders are not recommended, as they build up within the shoes and break down the soles quicker. Avoid wearing the same shoes every day to allow for proper drying time. Don’t forget to use the SteriShoe UV light shoe sanitizer for 45 minutes each night to kill off 99.9% of the fungus living in your shoes. Lastly, be sure to visit a podiatrist regularly for foot check-ups to prevent an infection from getting out of control.

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For many patients suffering from toenail fungus, the first course of treatment is to take a prescription of terbinafine under the brand name Lamisil. However, as with all oral medications, side effects can and do occur. Did you know that change in taste or loss of taste is one of the potential risks associated with popularly prescribed oral toenail fungus treatments?

How Often Does Lamisil Taste Loss Occur?

A review by Richard L. Doty, PhD and Boris R. Haxel, MD from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found that the incidence of terbinafine-related taste loss is about 0.6% to 2.8%. The taste loss commonly occurs after taking the daily drug for a duration of four to six weeks. Individuals suffered dramatic changes in how they tasted bitter and acidic flavors, but also milder decreases in their ability to taste sweets and salts as well. Recovery is said to take place about four months after the symptoms first appear, although “long-lasting illnesses have been reported.”

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Who Suffers Terbinafine Taste Loss?

A more recent aggregate of data looking at FDA reports found that, of the 6,600 people who took Lamisil, 149 people (2.25%) reported taste loss. The population of people reporting loss of taste were an almost 50/50 male/female split.  While gender was balanced, it seemed the risk increased with age.

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The odds of developing taste loss are 12.8 times higher for patients over 55 as they are for patients under 35. Furthermore, the risk is 4.4 times higher for people with a body mass index of 21 or less.

What Are People Saying About Lamisil Side Effects?

One person in a forum described the taste alteration as being akin to having “an overpowering salty metallic taste” all the time. Sweet flavors could not be tasted at all. “Bread is awful and so is yogurt, cottage cheese, salad dressings and any type of mixed food (casserole),” the Lamisil user explained. “ I love to cook and now it has no joy for me. I am thirsty almost all the time and water just tastes awful!”

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In another documented case, a 51-year-old woman told her doctor that eating, drinking and tooth brushing triggered a bitter aftertaste and increased salivation. The first few mouthfuls of every food tasted normal, but was quickly followed by a bitter taste. Her ability to taste anything sweet had completely gone. She had only taken terbinafine for two months, but she was still suffering from symptoms 18 months later. Three years later, the woman had partially recovered her ability to taste sugar, but the persistent bitterness had still not abated. While these cases are rare, they are still possible, which is something to consider when taking Lamisil for onychomycosis toenail fungus.

Dysgeusia (Taste Loss) Treatments

The only proposed treatment for taste loss — whether due to medication use or chemotherapy — is zinc supplementation. One study looked at 50 people suffering from dysgeusia and found that 140 mg of zinc gluconate a day for three months resulted in taste improvement for 50% of the group. They also found that depression levels improved significantly.

If you currently have toenail fungus but are worried about this taste loss side effect, skip Lamisil and seek onychomycosis laser treatment instead — which has no known side effects. To prevent a recurrence of fungus nails, treat your shoes with the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer nightly to kill off up to 99.9% of the harmful microbes living in your footwear.

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Lasers are used for everything from removing hair to clearing up the appearance of toenail fungus. Generally speaking, we support the use of lasers to clarify a fungus nail. It’s much more effective than the topical solutions out there, which only work eight to 10% of the time. It’s also less invasive than oral medication, which requires liver monitoring and may cause unpleasant side effects like the loss of taste. However, laser toenail fungus treatment isn’t for everyone. Here are some of the reasons why you may decide against it.

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1. Laser toenail fungus treatment is expensive… and not covered by insurance.

According to A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, the cost of  fungal nail laser treatment may vary, depending on the number of nails affected and the severity of the infection. ”The national average for laser treatment is between $500 and $1200,” they explain. However, offices that use state-of-the-art laser equipment that can get the nails done in less time may offer prices in the $300 to $900 range. Most people require only one treatment, but some people may need to come back for multiple sessions, says the UK Guardian. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost because they deem it a “cosmetic procedure.”

2. You still have to wait for the nail to grow out.

Unfortunately, with any toenail fungus treatment, you have to wait for the old fungus nail to grow out. While laser treatment may improve the look of the nail during this time, it’s still going to be a good six months before you see a noticeable improvement. While you wait, you may see results like this:

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3. There’s no guarantee you won’t get onychomycosis toenail fungus again.

So you’ve paid the $1,000 out-of-pocket, you’ve waited the six months… time to get on with life, right? Not so fast! Toenail fungus is one of those health issues — like cellulite and balding, says dermatologist Dr. Boni E. Elewski — that remains one of the “great unsolved American lifestyle problems.”

“I never use the term ‘cured’ with toenail fungus,” says Washington podiatrist Stephen J. Kominsky. “With a cure, people think there’s no chance for a recurrence. In this case, there is a chance.”

If you walk around without shoes on in public places, you could easily pick up fungus nails again. Treating fungal infections takes a well-rounded solution that involves keeping the feet dry and protected, practicing good hygiene, and sanitizing the shoes nightly to prevent recurrence.

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Most of us put a lot of thought into the type of shampoo we buy because we want our locks to look as healthy, shiny and maintained as possible. Some people need to go over and beyond the store standards to find special medicated shampoo containing ciclopirox that will help treat their itchy, red, painful scalp dermatitis. Did you know that this shampoo may be used to treat fungal infections of the feet too?

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How Can A Person Treat Fungal Infections Of The Feet With Ciclopirox?

You can buy a shampoo like Loprox with a script from your physician or foot doctor. Each day, you can rub a small amount of shampoo on both feet and the lower legs. You can do this at the beginning of your shower or at the end. Rub in the shampoo with a bit of water, allowing the shampoo to lather for a few minutes, and then rinse it off. If you can’t reach your feet and legs, you may use a soft bristle back brush with shampoo on it or wash in an empty tub. This process should be repeated every day to reduce symptoms and prevent the recurrence of bacterial and fungal foot infections.

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What Does Science Say About Ciclopirox?

There are no good clinical studies to prove the efficiency of ciclopirox shampoo for the treatment of athlete’s foot or other types of foot fungus. In one study, A.K. Gupta et. al. found that ciclopirox gel offered advantages in treating tinea pedis with its anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Another study by Aly et. al. found that daily use of ciclopirox gel for four weeks was safe and effective in treating moderate to severe athlete’s foot between the toes.

Dr. Gary L. Dockery, DPM has used Ciclopirox to treat his patients and concluded, “It is reasonable to propose that ciclopirox’s antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can reduce the number of foot infections by inhibiting potential pathogen colonization and reducing the likelihood of their recurrence in patients with diabetes.”

Treat The Feet & Treat The Shoe, Too!

Home remedies for foot fungus can only take you so far. Fungus has a tendency to spread out via spores and live on surfaces for a terribly long time. Therefore, it’s imperative that you take steps to reduce the risk of contact with these fungi. Using the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer is a podiatrist-recommended way to prevent recurrence of foot fungus.

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An article in ABQ Journal claimed that tea tree oil was the remedy for toenail fungus. A woman reported that her professional nail technician told her to buy 100% pure Australian tea tree oil and paint the affected nail once or twice a day. “It kills the fungus,” she says. “I used it for about six months because toenail fungus takes so long to grow in. The fungus is definitely gone!”

She adds that she’s since read tea tree oil is a natural remedy for athlete’s foot, minor cuts and insect bites as well. Deriving from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, this herbal oil is said to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, says the Journal. Is there truth to these claims, or is it all a bunch of hogwash? We investigate…

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What Is Tea Tree Used For?

Tea tree oil has been recommended for everything from vaginal infection and acne treatment, to a home remedy for toenail infection and athlete’s foot. More recently, WebMD reports that tea tree oil was effective against MRSA staph infection that resists most traditional antibiotics, but more research needs to be done.

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What Does Science Say?

A randomized, controlled trial published in the Journal of Family Practice examined the effectiveness of a twice-daily application of 100% tea tree oil, compared to a 1% topical application of clotrimazole antifungal medication. After six months, the tea tree oil was found to be as effective as the topical antifungal for the 177 study participants. After about three months, half of each group reported partial or full resolution of symptoms.

Another randomized, controlled trial looked at the efficiency of a cream containing 5% tea tree oil and 2% butenafine hydrochloride. After four months, 80% of the 60 people using the cream reported significant improvement in their condition, with only mild inflammation side effects.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, tea tree oil is “possibly effective” as a method to treat toenail fungus naturally. They report that topical application of 100% tea tree oil twice a day for six months “can cure fungal nail infection in about 18% of people who try it.” More than half of patients will see improvement in appearance within three months and 60% will see improvement after six months. The efficiency is similar to Lotrimin cream. However, low doses are not as effective; a 5% tea tree oil cream applied three times a day for two months has no benefit.

Long-Term Effects Of Tea Tree Oil As A Remedy For Toenail Fungus

“I tried Tea Tree oil, but the fungus started coming back,” reports one user at The People’s Pharmacy. Probably the reason the fungus returned is that the possibility of cross-contamination was not considered. It’s not enough to just treat the nail with tea tree oil. You have to be sure all your socks, toenail clippers and shoes have been adequately cleared of the fungus too. So many people treat their fungal infections on nails, but fail to consider that fungus replicates by way of tiny spores… and those spores can live a very long time. The SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer can eradicate up to 99.9% of toenail fungus in shoes in just one 45-minute treatment. Since there is a genetic component to who is at risk for re-infection, make shoe-sanitizing a routine part of your life to minimize the possibility of dealing with onychomycosis again.

The post Is Tea Tree Oil A Good Remedy For Toenail Fungus? appeared first on SteriShoe Blog.

Recently, the National Advertising Division asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate advertising claims made by Fiore Rx, the maker of an antifungal nail lacquer. Initially, the company pitched that its products provided “a safe and less-expensive alternative to complicated nail infection treatments” and that it allowed patients to “get antifungal protection, without a prescription or without having to visit a doctor.”

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Other Antifungal Nail Lacquer Claims

Of course, we don’t mean to single out Fiore Rx. There are many antifungal nail lacquer companies that make dubious claims. For instance, have a look at some of these sales pitches…

•  Deep Cover Nail System - “Other nail polishes form a ‘barrier’ in your nails that can grow and breed fungus and bacteria! But, Deep Cover Nail System™ Lacquer/Polish can treat the root of most nail problems caused by fungus and bacteria!”

• Dr. G’s Clear Nail - “Kills fungus that can lead to nail infections. No need to remove polish or acrylics! Penetrates with Dr. G’s patented delivery system.”

• Orly Fungus MD - “Cures fungal infections on skin or for treatment of fungal infections of skin.”

• Varisi - “Toenail fungus infections and fingernail fungus infections can be cured with VARISI, a 100% natural and organic preparation. VARISI, the ‘formula for clean and healthy toenails and fingernails’ cures toenail fungus infections and also fingernail fungus infections, even with artificial products such as acrylics, silk and fiberglass nails!”

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Antifungal Nail Lacquer Pitches Should Include Careful Wording

The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor “at the first of nail fungus,” as the infection can spread and worsen if not treated. Symptoms include nail dullness and discoloration, thickening, and brittle, crumbling edges. To clarify their position, Fiore says, “Fiore Rx is not a cure and you should certainly seek medical attention for serious fungal infections.” Instead, they pitch their product as a way to prevent fungal infection of the nails. In fact, many antifungal nail lacquers say something similar.

Effectiveness of Antifungal Nail Lacquer: Does It Work?

According to Dr. Bryan C. Markinson, the chief of podiatric medicine and surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the most effective treatment is Lamisil, an oral prescription medication that works for 2 out of 3 patients. This drug can be hard on the liver, though, and requires occasional monitoring with a doctor during treatment.

The newest generation of prescription nail lacquers (using ciclopirox or amorolfine) have been clinically tested and approved by the FDA, reports the New York Times. However, many Over-The-Counter products have not been tested. On top of that, Dr. Markinson points out that topical antifungals remain unpopular with patients because they must be used for a minimum of one year on a daily basis to show effectiveness. “Most patients lose enthusiasm after the first three months,” the doctor explains.

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A nail fungus solution may range from antifungal creams and nail lacquers to oral medication and laser toenail treatment.  So it’s recommended that you visit a podiatrist to discuss the most effective course of action. To prevent the return of infection, we advise you to invest in a SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer to keep your footwear clear of fungal spores that can build up and contribute to future infections.

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