More Fungus Among Us

Last week, we discussed the symptoms and treatment of Athlete's Foot. This week, we consider a similar condition, infection of the nails. In medical jargon, this is known as onychomycosis.

Nail infections can occur in either the toe or finger nails. However, fungi prefer places that are dark and damp, so toenails are far more likely. As we age, our ability to fight infections diminishes, so nail fungus is more common in the elderly.

Symptoms of fungal infections include:

• Nails that are yellow, white, or brown
  
• Nails are losing their shape and/or cracking
  
• Nails lift up off the toe in some cases
  

Prevention is similar to Athlete's Foot. In short, keep your feet dry and avoid other wet areas where other people are walking bare foot.

Symptoms of fungal nails are similar to other skin conditions, including psoriasis, so your podiatrist might take a sample from the toe to confirm the diagnosis. Once you are certain it is a fungal infection, it can be treated with oral antifungals. Your podiatrist might also prescribe a topical cream, but this may or may not prove effective if the fungus is under the nail. In either case, plan to be using the drugs over several months.

Recently, a new treatment involving lasers has been approved. It is relatively pain free and kills all organisms in one visit. Furthermore, you will not have the side effects you might have by taking the drugs (usually in the liver or kidney). Unfortunately, this procedure is considered aesthetic by insurance companies, and you will have to bear the cost.

Fungus Among Us

If you enjoy watching Seinfeld reruns, you probably remember the episode where Jerry describes podiatrists as being "knee-deep in fungus." While this is probably exaggerated, fungal infections are still a very common occurrence in the feet, as well as other body parts.

The fungi (plural of fungus) that infect humans are microscopic organisms that are similar to plants. They are distinct from bacteria, however, so antibiotics will not be effective. (In fact, the original antibiotic, penicillin, was extracted from a fungus.)

Fungal infections arise from handling other animals, contact with dirt, or most commonly, are transmitted from other people. Among these human-to-human fungal infections, the most common is tinea pedis, the cause of Athlete's Foot.

Athlete's Foot is commonly transmitted in locker room showers and other common areas where people will walk around barefoot. You can also contract Athlete's Foot by sharing the footwear of an infected person. If you have an infection, you will have itching and burning that usually starts between the toes. It can lead to blistering and cracks in the skin. Also, the infection might spread to the nails, resulting in color changes and a bad odor. If left untreated, the infection spreads across the sole of the foot, resembling a moccasin in appearance.

You can prevent Athlete's Foot by doing the following:

• Keep your feet dry. Fungi spread easily in wet areas.
  
• Wear sandals when walking in moist areas like locker room showers.
  
• Always wear dry socks
  

Fungal infections generally do not go away on their own, so you will need to seek treatment. Fortunately, there are many over the counter topical treatments available. For additional advice, consult with Dr. Reddy or a podiatrist in your area. Lastly, avoid touching the infected area and then touching other body parts, because the infection will spread to the hands, scalp, and armpits if contacted.

What is a Podiatrist?

The fact that you are reading this site indicates that you already have an idea of what a podiatrist is. Still, it's important that patients know exactly what kind of medical specialty we are. So we'll be taking a break from the usual medically themed blog entries to give a fuller idea of what services you can expect from your podiatrist.

Are podiatrists "real" doctors? YES! Our medical curriculum is almost identical to the curriculum at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. True, we skip over some content pertaining to psychiatry and OB/GYN, since this is so far removed from our scope of practice. However, we focus much more heavily on the structure and function of the lower extremity than our M.D. colleagues. Rest assured, that when you are talking to a podiatrist, you are speaking to a true authority on the foot and ankle. Accept no substitutes!

A podiatrist is just a foot doctor, right? Podiatry began as a specialty concerning ailments of the feet. However, today, politics is really what determines what body parts a podiatrist can and cannot treat. While the laws vary from state to state, podiatrists in Jacksonville, Florida can practice from the foot all the way up to the hip. (In some states, podiatrists practice on the hand!) There is speculation that, in the future, properly trained podiatrists will perform knee replacement surgeries. However, there has and will always be plenty of business for us in the foot.

How much money do podiatrists earn? I find earnings to be a crass topic to address, but it is nonetheless a common subject of discussion amongst my peers. An older podiatrist told me once, "If you're in this for the money, switch to dentistry." Suffice it to say, however, no podiatrist will ever wonder where his next meal is coming from.