Foot Cream to Kill HIV?

Ciclopirox, a drug commonly used to treat foot fungus, has been suggested to kill HIV cells. "In a study performed at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, not only does the drug Ciclopirox rid infectious HIV from cell cultures, but the virus also doesn't bounce back when the drug is withheld." - CNet.com

source

However, because the drug is a topical it does not treat the whole body (a systematic treatment) meaning it only prevents HIV not actually treating it.

Luckily, since the drug is already FDA approved for human use, the process of approval for HIV use might be sped up!

To learn more about the research and interviews head to cnet.com

Gearing up for Triathlon Season?

Whether you're brick training for a triathlon, showering at the gym after your sweat session or taking the kids to the pool, never go barefoot! With our feet finally getting some fresh air after being bundled up during the winter, people hesitate to take precautions, because it's just so nice for the little piggies to be free!!

However, it's in your best interest if you want your feet to be fungus free for the rest of the summer! So step up (pun intended) and keep flip flops on those feet in these wet & warm environments!

Here are a few symptoms of Athlete's Foot:

• Dry skin
• Itching and burning, which may increase as the infection spreads
• Scaling
• Inflammation
• Blisters, which often lead to cracking of the skin

Take your precautions:

• Wash feet daily with soap and water; dry carefully, especially between the toes
• Avoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes
• Reduce perspiration by using talcum powder
• Wear light and airy shoes
• Change shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture
• Wear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily

When to make an appointment:

If you are taking the preventitive measures suggested and aren't seeing the fungus clearing up, call Shenandoah Podiatry in Blacksburg (540) 808-4343 or Troutville (540) 904-1458 to find out your treatment options!

source: apma.org

Rain, rain go away!

Spring is just around the corner and judging by the last two weeks it’s going to be a wet one. If you don’t already own waterproof footwear, you’re probably considering it now. Many of us opt for the standard rubber boot because they’re inexpensive, keep our feet dry, and come in many different colors. Though this style of boot is widely popular, it does pose some unique concerns for your feet.

Most of these styles provide little to no arch support which means that they can lead to problems much more serious than wet feet. Shop for rain boots that have removable insoles because this will allow you to replace them with more supportive inserts or even your custom orthotics.

Another concern posed by the standard rain boot is fungal infections. Because rubber doesn’t breathe, rain boots provide a warm, moist environment where fungus can flourish if steps aren’t taken to prevent it. One of the best ways to prevent fungal infections is to alternate shoes so that the same pair isn’t worn everyday. If this isn’t possible, at least let them dry out completely between uses. You can also spray Lysol into your boots after each use to kill fungus and other germs.

Whether you’re about to break out your old boots or you’re in the market for new ones, keep these tips in mind for happy, healthy feet.

Nail Disorders

Anatomy of the Nail:

Nail Plate- Is the hard and translucent portion of the nail.

Nail Bed- Is the skin underneath the nail plate.

Matrix- Is the part in which the nail rests and is responsible for the production of the cells that become the nail plate.

Hyponychium- Distal nail groove which forms a seal that protects the nail bed.

Nail Grooves- Medial and Lateral

Lunula- The whitish crescent-shaped base of the nail.



Nail disorders are more common than people know. There are a number of different nail disorders that can be treated by your podiatrist. Nail abnormalities can show problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the nails. Sometimes the nails can tell the health of a patient.


Here is a group of some common nail disorders:

Anonychia- This is the absence of the nail itself.

Beau's Lines- Is a depression across the nail plate which is caused by a stressful event.

Green Nail- A disorder of the nail that may be due to an infection caused by Pseudomonas.

Hapalonychia- A pliable nail plate that is usually caused by hyperhidrosis.

Clubbed nail- When the angle of the nail plate and proximal nail fold is greater than 180 degrees. This condition may occur in cardiac, pulmonary, or gastro-intestinal disease.

Koilonychia- This is known as a spoon nail. This condition is seen in iron deficiency anemia.

Leukonychia- Is a disorder of the nail where the nail exhibits white spots.

Lindsay's Nail- A condition that shows the far half of the nail discolored pink or brown and the near half dull and white. This disorder is seen in liver disease.

Macronychia- Is an abnormally large nail.

Mee's Line- A white band across the nail that is associated with arsenic poisoning or a stressful event.

Melanonychia- A disorder that demonstrates longitudinal, pigmented bands in the nails .

Micronychia- Is an abnormally small nail.

Onychatrophia- This disorder shows atrophy of the nail.

Onychauxic Nail- This disorder shows hypertrophy (Thickening) of the nail.

Onychia- A disorder where there is inflammation of the matrix.

Onychocryptosis- This is an ingrown nail.

Onychogryphosis (Rams horn nail) - Another disorder where there is thickening of the nail.

Onycholysis- This is a separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.

Onychomalacia- This is a softening of the nail plate.

Onychomycosis- Is a nail that is infected with a fungus.

Onychophosis- This type of nail is seen with a callus in the nail groove.

Onychopuntata- This disorder shows pitting of the nails as seen in lichen plannus, alopecia, and psoriasis.

Onychorrexia- Nails that are abnormally brittle.

Onychoschizia- This condition demonstrates splitting of the nail plate into layers.

Paronychia- Inflammation of the tissue folds around the nail. There may be infection with this type of nail.

Raquet Nail- A short and fat nail.

Subungual Hematoma- Associated with trauma. There is formation of a hematoma underneath the nail plate.

Terry's Nail- With this condition the proximal 2/3 of the nail plate is white. This disorder can be seen with hepatic cirrhosis.


So you see, there are many disorders of the nail. Some disorders may be more serious than others. If you suspect any nail disorders, make an appointment with your podiatrist to be properly evaluated.

Common Symptoms for Foot Ailments Part 2

Do any of your toenails curl into the fleshy part of your toe causing pain?

You could have an ingrown toenail. This can occur from cutting your toenails rounded at the corners instead of straight across, tight shoes, injuries, toenail fungus, or infections. Do not attempt to cut the toenail out yourself. If you notice your toenail curling even before it is painful call a podiatrist to get this nail removed.

Do you have stinky feet? Do your feet sweat profusely?

You might have Hyperhidrosis or trench foot. This is caused by sweat glands on the bottom of your foot creating more sweat than necessary. What may start off as just an annoyance or unpleasant smell can cause skin to become thick, macerated or painful.

Do you experience a feeling of sharp pain, cramping, or burning in your feet?

You might have a neuroma. A neuroma is when the nerves are pinched by your toe bones. This pinching commonly occurs between the third and forth toes. Tight shoes irritate the symptoms.

Do you have wounds on your feet that do not seem to be healing in a normal amount of time?

You might have chronic wounds or ulcers due to poor circulation or increased pressure on the wound site. These can be very dangerous if they are continuously left untreated. They can become seriously infected or even gangrenous and in severe cases can lead to amputation. Treatment plans can be offered by podiatrists to help the healing process and in most cases can heal in a few months.

Do you have painful growths on the underside of your heel bone? Do the arches of your feet hurt when you get up in the morning?

You might have heel spurs also known as Plantar Fasciitis. This is caused by a strain on the ligaments and muscles attached to your heel bone that lead to the membrane covering the bone to tear. This leaves the ligaments becoming inflamed and the heel bone lacking its natural protective barrier.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please call our office and make an appointment today. Don’t live with foot pain any longer! The sooner you get into an office and get your foot pain diagnosed the sooner something can be done about it.