Healthy Foot Week!

It's Healthy Foot Week! Are you looking after yours?

New research shows few aware of infectious nail disease almost 80 per cent of Australian adults who have either experienced or seen in others, the symptoms of fungal nail infection, are either not aware it is fungal or contagious. Yet approximately 2.9 million Australians are either visiting or using public pools, gyms, saunas or showers at least once a month, possibly placing themselves at risk of contracting this chronic and potentially debilitating fungal nail condition.

This is according to new research1 released prior to Foot Health Week (7-13 October 2001), which found that one in five Australians has experienced cracked, thickened, brittle or discoloured nails - potential symptoms of fungal nail infection.

According to Sydney dermatologist, Dr David Wong, many people do not recognise the symptoms of fungal nail infection or mistake them for other skin conditions. "This is a concern, because if an infection is left untreated, it will continue to extend and spread to other nails. It is also readily transmissible from person to person."

Fungal nail infection, or 'onychomycosis', can be an unsightly, uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition that may affect a person's ability to perform daily activities. It occurs when a fungus (tinea pedis) spreads under the toenail bed - through an opening such as broken, closely cut or ingrown toenails - causing damage to the nail and surrounding skin.

Someone who is very mindful of this condition and the importance of keeping his feet in top shape, is ultra marathon runner, Pat Farmer.

Throughout his 18 year running career, Pat has covered almost 150,000 kilometres. He has endured all types of weather and terrain. During his Centenary of Federation run around Australia, beginning and ending in Canberra, he ran for 191 days averaging almost 80 kilometres a day and using 14 pairs of shoes.

"No one is on their feet more than me, so I have to take very good care of them. My way of thinking is that you should treat your feet like your face - look at them daily and treat them well," said Pat.

Pat is urging people to be aware that fungal infections on the skin of the foot are easily transmissable and to take precautions to limit one's chances of contracting an infection, which may spread to the toenails.

"I've been in showers all around the world, many of which have been very unhygienic. I always make sure I wear sandals or thongs to protect my feet as much as possible from picking up a fungal nail infection.

"Once out of the shower, I always dry my feet thoroughly. Using powder also helps to keep my feet dry."

Dr Wong said fungal nail infection and other foot conditions can go unnoticed, particularly in winter, when feet are hidden by shoes and socks. With summer fast approaching and more people becoming active again, the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection is likely to increase.

"People involved in sporting activities are at an increased risk of contracting fungal nail infection because they are at greater risk of traumatising their nails, which in turn provides an opening for infections to get under the toenail," said Dr Wong.

Alternatively, Pat stresses that wearing correctly fitted shoes is crucial to avoiding damage to the toenails.

"If a shoe allows too much forward movement of the foot, the toes and nails will rub on the front of the shoe causing damage which may predispose people to contracting a fungal nail infection."

To help raise awareness of good foot care in the lead-up to and during Foot Health Week, The Athlete's Foot is running a national 'Healthy Foot' promotion. As well as giving shoppers at each of their stores a chance to win a foot pamper pack, they will be providing information on ways to look after your feet, particularly how to prevent and lower the risk of contracting fungal nail infection and where to seek treatment.

According to Dr Wong, treatment is essential for managing fungal nail infection, yet appropriate treatment is not often sought.

"The recent research shows that among those who reported experiencing the characteristics of fungal nail infection, only one in four visited their doctor.

"Interestingly, 36 per cent of people ignored the infection, 16 per cent incorrectly tried to cover it up, 26 per cent used a non-prescription treatment bought from a chemist, 22 per cent soaked their nails in warm soapy water and 52 per cent cut their nails as short as possible.

"Fungal nail infection requires appropriate treatment to clear the condition. Creams, liquids or powders can be used to treat common fungal infections of the skin such as tinea pedis (athlete's foot) or tinea cruris (jock itch). However these treatments are ineffective for fungal nail infection. This is because the infection actually involves the nail plate and nail bed, whereby the hard surface of the nail prevents creams or liquids from penetrating the site of infection effectively," said Dr Wong.

"Oral medications delivered by the blood to the nail bed - where they are incorporated into the newly formed nail - can kill the fungus permanently. Oral medication can eradicate the infection within six to 12 weeks of treatment.

"If your toe or finger nails are thickening, crumbling and / or discoloured, see your doctor, who can examine your nails and prescribe the most appropriate treatment," said Dr Wong.

For more information about fungal nail infection and how to maintain healthy nails, call 1800 800 838, visit FUNGUSFREENAILS.COM or drop by your local The Athlete's Foot store.

1 Fungal nail infection telephone survey conducted nation-wide by Newspoll among 1,200 Australians aged 18+ during September 2001. Study commissioned by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.