I want to wear sandals but my toenails are thick, yellow, brittle and ugly! What can I do

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For many of us summer means replacing our bulky winter boots for freedom in cute and airy sandals.  However there are many people who are too embarrassed to wear sandals, all because of a nasty little culprit called toenail fungus. The fungus will cause changes in your nails and the nail beds where the nails grow from.  Over time, things will deteriorate if you do not start some form of treatment.

Lasers are starting to become more mainstream for the treatment of fungal nails.  The lasers use specific wavelengths of light to effectively and efficiently destroy the fungus in your nails and nail beds.  The result – you get rid of those ugly, unsightly toenails. This can often be achieved in 2 treatments, depending on the severity of the condition.

During your visit, you may feel a gentle warming or tingling as the laser works, but no real discomfort.   The laser is so sophisticated that it can detect and reach the proper target temperature leading to elimination of the toenail infection.  You walk into the office and you walk out – there is no downtime from your regular activities.  Lasers are proven to be a very safe alternative to oral prescription medication.

Give us a call to start your freedom from wearing socks with sandals!

 

 

I have heard about using LASERS to treat toenail fungus. Is it successful?

YES!  Laser toenail treatment studies are very positive and to date no known side effects have been found.  It is estimated that 20 percent of Canadians are currently affected by toenail fungus.  Until recently, treatment consisted of topical solutions that were inconvenient to apply, and oral medications, which have the potential for very serious side effects, including liver damage.  Recently Health Canada has approved LASER for use on fungal nails and plantar warts. We are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer this new revolutionary treatment, used specifically to treat toenail fungus and plantar warts. Our Chiropodists (foot specialists) have developed a highly effective treatment protocol utilizing our new state of the art LASER.  This protocol is already exceeding our expectations for safety and efficacy!  Laser technology can effectively and efficiently rid you of unsightly toenail infections in as little as two treatments, depending on the severity of the condition. The laser penetrates the nail and the nail bed, eliminating the destructive nasty infection, thus allowing your own body to revitalize your own nail naturally as it grows out clean, clear and healthy. If you are interested in improving your toenail fungus, call our Cobourg clinic TODAY!  Tell our Schedule Co-coordinator that you read this article and would like to be evaluated to see if our new protocol-using LASER- is right for you!  905-373-7045                                0:00

 

Can Ingrown Toenails be Permanently Corrected?

Ingrown toenails - OUCH! That is probably your first response if you have ever had an ingrown toenail.  Who would have thought that such a seemingly small thing could be so painful?  First, the side of your toe starts with a bit of redness and slight discomfort.  Then it becomes more painful with redness and swelling.  Then you notice something greenish- yellow draining from your toe, accompanied occasionally by blood.  What happens next?  I’ll tell you what most people do…they try to become experts at “bathroom surgery”.  Knee bent up and foot placed on the counter as you try to “dig out” the piece of nail that is piercing your skin, all while trying to maintain your balance.  This is what I say “OUCH” to!  Why do you do this???  Usually it is because you are too scared to have it treated professionally, or if “you can just get this one piece out, it will get better on its own”.  An ingrown toenail does not have to be a scary proposition.  In fact, you performing acts of cruelty on yourself in your unsterilized bathroom is scary to me (!).  Well guess what?  Performing self-surgery usually causes the ingrown toenail to become worse!  The only way to properly and permanently treat an ingrown toenail is to visit our team of chiropodists (foot specialist) at We-Fix-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres.  Sometimes our foot health experts will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection; however the ingrown toenail does not improve with antibiotics alone.  In order to resolve the infection, the offending nail must be safely and professionally removed from the skin and measures taken to prevent the ingrown toenail from returning.  I can promise you this:  Our team is better at it than you!

US Gymnast McKayla Maroney Breaks Big Toe at Olympics: Should it be Treated?

Recently McKayla Maroney, US Olympic Gymnast competed and reinjured a previously broken big toe, and I heard the comentators mention that it is "just a toe", so no big deal.  While breaking a toe may not seem like a big deal compared to, say, a leg, it actually can be a big deal if not treated properly, especially if it is the big toe.

I am sure many of us have broken a toe or two in our past - usually by stubbing it, dropping something on it, falling or tripping. I am also sure that most of us have been told that nothing can be done for a broken toe. WRONG!

If a broken toe doesn't heal properly, it can heal in poor alignment.  The big toe joint is one of the most important joints in the foot.  A tremendous amount of force is placed through this joint with every step we take, so if the toe doesn't work properly this force will be placed on another body part, creating a viscious cycle of compensation and pain.

If you injure your toe, contact our Chiropodists or Physiotherapists at We-Fix-U to thoroughly assess your injury and get it treated, properly.

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EWWWW, Toenail Fungus! We have a solution…

In my last post, you’ll remember me talking about nail salons and the ickiness of using the same nail polish on everyone.  Well, let’s just take this one step further.  Let’s talk about women who already have fungal nails (onychomycosis).

Let’s face it - nail fungus is ugly.  It’s gross.  It’s embarrassing.  So our first impulse is to cover it up with nail polish. The darker the better, right ladies?  You know who you are…

Well, unless you’re using a nail polish that contains antifungal ingredients and is designed to treat nail fungus, as a chiropodist, I always suggest to my patients that this isn’t a good idea.  In fact, if they want to continue to receive treatment by me, I forbid it.   If you’re wearing nail polish and not treating the nail fungus, the harsh chemicals in the polish will work with the nail fungus to further weaken your nail enamel. Plus, you run the risk of developing athletes foot (a fungal infection of the skin) since the same fungus is often to blame for both conditions. If you’re trying to treat the condition with a topical antifungal cream, ordinary nail polish will create a virtually impenetrable barrier, preventing the medicine from doing its job.  And, because the polish literally “seals” the nail, the fungus can proliferate. Remember my last post when I commented about “double dipping” into the nail polish?  You can spread your fungal infection to your beautiful, healthy (currently) non-infected nails.

For women who may not have a fungal nail infection, but wear nail polish regularly:  Have you ever noticed that after months of pedicures and continuous application of nail polish your toenails are getting dry and brittle?   Do you see those white spots on the top of the nail?  This damage to the nail is caused by the formaldehyde (AKA embalming fluid!) found in most commercial nail polishes. Not only does commercial nail polish contain formaldehyde (a cancer-causing chemical!), but also toluene (toxic to liver and kidneys) and DBP (causes birth defects).

Never fear…there is a solution, and we have it!

Two Podiatrists have together created a great product to just hit the market. Dr’s Remedy Nail Polish is the ONLY nail polish that is free from all formaldehyde, toluene and DBP.   Not only is it toxin free but it is also vitamin-enriched to give your nails the extra care to stay strong and healthy.

While I don’t recommend this product’s use to actually treat the fungus, Dr.’s Remedy Antifungal Nail Polish is a healthy way to conceal your fungal nails if you so choose during the medical treatment of your toenail fungus.  This wonderful invention contains tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract, two safe and natural antibacterial and antifungal disinfectants that are proven home remedies for toenail fungus. It is also enriched with vitamin C, vitamin E, and wheat germ; ingredients that actually help strengthen your nail enamel and restore its natural shine.  Also safe for pregnant women and children to use.

You can find these safe polishes (and removers) at our Cobourg location.  Stop in to check out the variety of beautiful colours we carry.  You’d better hurry though.  Our female staff members are very excited about this new product and are sure to buy it all themselves!

Visit us at http://www.we-fix-u.com/

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