Summer is finally here! The days are longer, the air smells crispier and the weather is warmer.  Now is the time to walk more and enjoy the outdoors! Warm weather means sweaty feet. However increased foot activity also exposes you to one of the most common foot problems, athlete’s foot.  If it is caught early, it can be treated successfully very quickly with topical antifungals, but if it is neglected, it can lead to pain and discomfort in your feet.

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is knows as tinea pedis. It causes dry, itchy, and red skin in between your toes and around your feet. The fungus loves warm, dark, and humid environments, like in your socks and shoes.  It can also spread easily by direct contact with contaminated surfaces such as yoga mats, floors, and gym showers. In many cases fungal skin infections will spread to the toenails, making the management of fungal foot infections more challenging.

If your skin looks a bit dry, flaky, and red, and does not respond to the usual moisturises, I encourage you to book an appointment with one of our podiatrists.  At Medipod Clinics, all our practitioners are trained to deal with fungal infections, but Natalie has a particular interest in this area.

Natalie has some excellent tips that can help you avoid getting athlete’s foot.

• Keep your feet clean and dry, especially between your toes. After your daily shower, don’t forget to dry your feet before putting your shoes and socks on.
• Change your socks daily and choose light, well-ventilated shoes. Avoid synthetic materials like vinyl or rubber.
• Alternate your footwear. You may also consider an anti-bacterial/ anti-fungal spray for your shoes to prevent fungal growth.
• Avoid walking bare foot in public areas, like the gym, and other community areas. Wear waterproof shoes or flipflops in public showers, pools, and other shared places.
• Don’t share towels or footwear. Athlete’s foot is very contagious, avoid sharing towels or shoes with others.

Our management plans vary according to severity of the infection and your individual needs. The podiatrist will discuss a management plan according to your requirements and advise you on how to best care for your feet.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer treatments for nails, hard skin, ingrown toenails, and advice for people with Diabetes. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading – Warm Weather Means Sweaty Feet: Preventing Athlete’s Foot.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Warm Weather Means Sweaty Feet: Preventing Athlete’s Foot appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Medipod started on March 5th, 2011. That was a special date for me as it is also my wedding anniversary. This year my husband and I are celebrating 17 wonderful years of marriage! But that is another story!

So, the clinic started with a single Podiatry treatment room. A year later I took on my 1st podiatrist. Another year and a 2nd podiatrist joined our team. Over the years, the podiatry team expanded, and we now have 6 part time podiatrists and an Assistant Practitioner.

The clinic also offers Physiotherapy Services, Counselling Services and Audiology Services.

As a team, we have always worked together to make your feet better. Each practitioner brings a wealth of clinical skills and expertise. Our focus is on patient-centred care. It is not unusual for our patients to rotate between practitioners for better management of their foot issues.

Most patients have various problems affecting the nails, skin, joints and muscles in their feet and legs. A podiatrist specialises in the management of a wide range of foot and leg related issues and some of us have done more advanced training of the foot in health and disease.

Some of our Specialist Services include:

Swift Microwave Therapy for Verrucas: Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat your verruca.

Nail surgery: A minor procedure during which part of the nail (or the whole nail in some cases) is removed under local anaesthetic. The nail bed is then destroyed to prevent unwanted painful regrowth.

Doppler Vascular Assessment: A Doppler assessment uses a special ultrasound equipment to listen to the blood flow through the blood vessels in your feet. This is an important assessment especially if you suffer from poor circulation.

Lacuna Method for Fungal Nails: It is a special method that involves drilling micro holes into the nail plate so the anti-fungal preparations can penetrate easier through the nail to the nail bed, where the active infection lies.

Biomechanics and Sports Injuries: A detailed gait analysis to identify the contributing factors to your discomfort. Templates of your feet can also be taken and a prescription for bespoke insoles is prepared to redistribute the abnormal pressure underneath your feet. Suitable for conditions such as heel pain, tendinitis, joint pain, sprains and many more.

Nail Reconstruction: Nail reconstruction is both a cosmetic and a medical procedure. We can build your nail layer by layer using a special gel substance to give you a new toenail.

Children’s Feet: Children can also experience foot issues such as flat feet, ingrown toenails, verrucas, footwear difficulties, walking abnormalities and many more.

Fungal Nail Testing: A reliable test to aid diagnosis of a fungal infection in just 5 minutes! We collect some skin scrapings and nail clippings and place them into the testing tube. In presence of a positive result, we will discuss a management plan.

Happy 12th Birthday! Reviewing success!

I hope you find some value in our monthly blogs. If you would like to have just a check-up or have a particular issue with your feet, our staff at Medipod Clinics can help you. Our experienced podiatrists will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations. For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also welcomed to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA – we will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading – Happy 12th Birthday! Reviewing success!

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Happy 12th Birthday! Reviewing success! appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Toenail Fungus. One Step Ahead. There are plenty of home remedies, but they don’t seem to work.  And a true nail fungus doesn’t just go away on its own.

Fortunately, the team at Medipod Clinics can address any nail fungus issue you may have with a diverse menu of treatment options. We customize our approach to your infection’s history and severity.

How fungi infect the nail?

Toenail fungal infection, or onychomycosis, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in damp and warm environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they can easily grow if they land on a surface like your toenail.  They feed off the nail tissue, burrowing into the skin under the nail.  Over time, the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates.  Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and it becomes even harder to get rid of the fungal infection.

But is it fungal or not?

Several different conditions can masquerade a fungal infection.  As we get older, the nails thicken and become more yellow. Psoriasis can cause pitting and flaking of the nails. Injuries can create bruising under the nail. Even chemicals in nail polish can discolour and damage the nail.  But you don’t want to wait until your nail is gnarly and raised off the nail bed.  You should see a podiatrist as soon as you notice your nail changing.

At Medipod Clinics, we can successfully test and diagnose the presence of fungal infections. The Dermatophyte Test Strip (DTS) is simple, accurate and shows results in just under 5 minutes!  It can be performed as part of your podiatry appointment and offers a reliable diagnosis.  This will enable your podiatrist to start the right antifungal treatment immediately without having to send clippings to an external laboratory.  Your GP will also be informed of your results as systemic medication may be needed.

Toenail Fungus Treatments

There are numerous treatments for fungal infections, which vary widely in cost and effectiveness.  To be fully effective, the antifungal agent must penetrate the nail and often the nail bed as well.

Over the counter products

These are widely available. They don’t promise a cure but some of them can certainly improve the appearance of the nail by changing the pH of the nail, therefore making it difficult for the fungus to survive.

Prescription topical treatments

Effective products include Tolnaflate, Clotrimazole, Terbinafine and Amorolfine.  All require daily applications, and it may take as long as 1-2 years to see noticeable results.  These products may work for early, superficial fungal infections, because they kill the fungi on the surface of the nail.  Reducing the thickness of the nail regularly may enable them to penetrate more deeply into the nail or the nailbed.  Even then, the success rate is quite low.

Oral medications

Intraconazole (Sporanox) and Terbinafine (Lamisil) are usually considered for extensive fungal infections.  Either of these drugs are very potent and may harm the liver, therefore your doctor will check your liver at the beginning of the treatment and again after a few months. Intraconazole interacts with several other drugs.  If you take one of these drugs, you’ll also need to avoid drinking alcohol and stay out of the sun.  It is best to discuss your individual case with your doctor before you decide to take oral antifungals.

But it is not all doom and gloom! Lacuna Method can help!

Have you heard of the Lacuna Method for the treatment of fungal nail infections? At Medipod Clinics, “we have had some amazing results in just under a year”, Faye says. Lacuna method is all about making tiny holes along the surface of the nail so that the antifungal agent (Lamisil spray) can successfully penetrate and reach the nail bed, where the active infection is.  The Lamisil Spray will spread under the nail as you walk and with daily application the fungus is stopped from spreading and the damaged nail grows out.

The process is safe and pain-free! Review appointments are recommended on an average 6-8 weeks; however, this may vary, and your practitioner will advise you.

Have realistic expectations

Don’t expect any product to give you toenails like those in the advertisements.  However, if you adopt a daily routine of washing and drying your feet thoroughly, and follow the advice given from your podiatrist, you should see a distinct improvement.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer treatments for nails, hard skin, ingrown toenails, and advice for people with Diabetes. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading – Toenail Fungus. One Step Ahead,

Faye Vogiatzoglou

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Toenail Fungus. One Step Ahead appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Like many microbes, there are helpful fungi and harmful fungi. When harmful fungi invade the body, they can be difficult to kill, as they can survive in the environment and re-infect the person trying to get better.

Fungus quite often affects the nails and can cause significant discoloration. Nails that have been damaged are particularly susceptible to fungal invasion. It can also affect the skin causing visible skin changes, redness, and itching.

DIAGNOSIS OF FUNGAL FOOT INFECTION

There are a few ways to test for presence of fungal spores. At Medipod Clinics, we use the Dermatophyte Test Strip (DTS). It is simple, accurate and shows results in just 5 minutes. It can be performed as part of your podiatry treatment and offers a very reliable diagnosis. This will enable your podiatrist to start the right antifungal treatment immediately without having to send clippings to an external laboratory. Your GP will also be informed of the results, as systemic medication may be needed.

TREATMENTS IN FUNGAL FOOT INFECTION

Treatment for fungal foot infections will depend on the type, severity, medical history of the patient and age. Anyone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to contract a fungal infection, as well as anyone who is taking antibiotics. Cancer treatment and Diabetes can also make a person more prone to fungal infections.

Most fungal skin infections can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription creams. Severe infections may require additional methods.

Topical agents for Tinea Pedis (skin infection)
Tinea pedis is a condition that is generally responds to topical antifungal agents.
Most formulations are available in the clinic as well as in the chemist.

These include Canesten, Dactarin, Dactarin Gold, Grisol, Mycota, Lamisil and Mycil.

KEY POINT

Topical Terbinafine (Lamisil) has been shown to be equally effective for treating tinea pedis in all its forms, such as a spray, cream and film-forming solution.

Based on the available evidence to date, older preparations such as Whitfield’s ointment (benzoic and salicylic acid) are probably less effective than azoles and terbinafine. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca) and Vicks remain a popular over-the-counter treatment but can cause skin irritation.

KEY POINT

The use of tea tree oil and Vicks in the treatment of onychomycosis is not recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

Onychomycosis – Nail Fungal Infection

When onychomycosis is considered to be mild to moderate, topical agents can be considered. Treatment requires good compliance as it can take 12-18 months. Studies have proven that the delivery of topical drugs to the infected nail can be enhanced by reducing the nail on a regular basis.

Amorolfine 5%, Curanail 3% are nail lacquers that inhibit the growth on fungus.

Mykored , Excilor and Emtrix create a nail environment in which the fungus finds it difficult to grow, therefore they help the appearance of the nail.

KEY POINT

Nail reduction prior to antifungal treatment in onychomycosis improves the cure rate.

Systemic Medication

If the infection is severe, affecting majority of the surface of the nail and the nail root, oral medication can be prescribed by your G.P.

KEY POINT

Any patient receiving systemic antifungal agents should first have the infection confirmed to prevent prescribing errors.

Fenestration of the nail (Lacuna Method)

Most topical agents are ineffective at penetrating the nail plate to reach the active infection on the nail bed (the skin under the nail).

By making micro holes in the nail plate your podiatrist can enable you to apply the anti-fungal agent, such as Lamisil spray, directly to the infected nail bed.

The Lamisil Spray will spread under the nail as you walk and with daily application the fungus is stopped from spreading and the damaged nail grows out.

KEY POINT

Current evidence has shown many significant benefits of fenestration in the treatment of onychomycosis.

Laser devices emit pulses of energy that impart heat to tissues that it contacts. The effect of the laser on fungal nails relies on the fungal cells absorbing this heat, which kills the microbe.
The laser energy penetrates through the toenail, to the nail bed beneath where the fungus is likely also present. This ability to penetrate the full thickness of the toenail is probably what leads to the promising results seen thus far with laser treatment. However, current evidence is very limited as this is a new management method.

KEY POINT

The cost of receiving laser treatment for onychomycosis as well as the limited evidence of its effectiveness make it less favourable amongst patients.

Podiatrists at Medipod Clinics are trained to diagnose, test and treat fungal foot infections. We understand how your foot works and we tailor a treatment plan to your needs. If you are already concerned about your feet, we are more than happy to help. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

We also offer other podiatry services, counselling , audiology and physiotherapy services.

For more information about our podiatry services, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot related questions.

Thank you for reading,

Faye Vogiatzoglou
http://medipodclinics.com

The post What You Need To Know About Fungal Foot Infections appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Cosmetic Nail Reconstruction – Many men and women suffer from unsightly toenails and are embarrassed about their feet. In order to hide them away, they often wear closed shoes, socks or paint over the damage to disguise it. This makes it worse in the process.

In this article, we share a real story involving one of our patients who experienced problems because she has had a fungal nail infection for many years without seeking any professional advice or help about it.

What is Nail Reconstruction?

This method of cosmetic nail reconstruction is totally different than the traditional way of adding an acrylic set of nails on top of your existing nails. LCN Wilde-Pedique is a unique light-cured gel.  LCN Wilde-Pedique contains Pirictone Olamine and provides an instant cosmetic solution. Therefore, we are able to create a bespoke, cosmetically reconstructed nail. Your nail will look so natural, only you will know it’s not real.

If you are undergoing anti-fungal treatment, like Kate, we will need to remove and replace your nail several times over the course of the fungal nail treatment. But you will always look your best! Permanently damaged nails can wear LCN Wilde-Pedique all year around with regular maintenance.

At Medipod Clinics we always keep up-to-date with best Podiatry practice. Furthermore, we are always searching new ways to improve our service to you. We listen to the feedback from our patients. If you feel that you will benefit from regular treatments or you are just looking for a single session, we would be more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a wide range of podiatric and beauty services, such as verruca treatments, nail surgery as well as medi-pedi and paraffin wax therapy treatments, so do not hesitate to ask for more information. With our in-depth knowledge and expertise, we can support you every step of your way by providing a highly professional service.

Kate’s story: How Nail Reconstruction helped her confidence

Kate works in the public sector and she has to wear closed shoes and tights while working. She developed a nail fungal infection but she was scared to do something about it. Over time the fungal infection became worse affecting most of her toenails. She has been so embarrassed about her feet that she stopped wearing any type of open-toe shoes. She was always hiding her feet in socks and didn’t even have the courage to allow her husband to see them.

One day she decided to do something about it and made an appointment to see Zoe at the clinic. She was so amazed at how good her feet looked after just one session! Zoe recommended nail reconstruction, as she was going on holidays for the summer.

Faye spent over an hour to try to improve the appearance of Kate’s toenails using LCN Wilde-Pedique. The results were excellent! Kate was delighted with appearance of her toenails and decided to have Dr Remedy Enriched nail varnish on for the very first time in years!

Kate now books her next appointment before she leaves the clinic. This means that she doesn’t have to worry about her feet anymore and can enjoy her life without feeling embarrassed about her feet. Kate also uses an antifungal nail treatment regularly.

For more information about our standard podiatry treatment, warm wax therapy, medi-pedi or nail reconstruction please contact us on 01455 246100.

We would love to help you with any issues you may be experiencing.

Thank you for reading,

Faye Vogiatzoglou
www.medipodclinics.com

The post Cosmetic Nail Reconstruction appeared first on Medipod Clinics.