KEEP ON YOUR TOES ABOUT TOENAIL FUNGUS

Talking about toenail fungus may seem taboo, but it’s the only way to take control of it. It’s more prevalent than you think and extremely contagious. If caught early, though, it’s pretty easy to treat, even with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Ignore it and the situation can go south very fast! Here’s how to spot if you have a problem, and what to do about it.

 The fundamentals of fungus

Toenail fungus, which physicians call onychomycosis, is an infection that can cause nails to change colour and texture, usually to a yellow hue and a thicker, yet more brittle consistency. It can be painful, but often isn’t, which is why many people pay it no mind—but left untreated, it can get worse. The fungus often starts off between the toes, commonly called Athlete’s Foot, and then spreads to the nail, but it can also occur the other way around.  

Not only can you lose the nails, but if you have underlying conditions, the spread of the fungus can compromise your overall immune system. In severe cases, the infection can affect the skin and turn into cellulitis which, once it enters the bloodstream, can be fatal. People with compromised immune systems or conditions like diabetes need to be especially careful: not only are they more susceptible, but the infections tend to spread more rapidly and are harder to treat.

 The condition can be brought on by a number of factors. Family history plays a part, but fungal infections are also more prevalent in warmer climates like the Caribbean. You should take great care to practice good hygiene after working out, since sweaty shoes and socks provide the ideal environment for fungus to thrive—and while we totally get the need for style, choose shoes that do not pinch or confine your feet in any way. Sharing baths is not a good idea, because it’s a surefire way for fungus to spread. After showering, make sure to properly dry in between your toes.

Fungus vs. bacteria

It’s always a good idea to have a dermatologist look at any nail infection, since they are often misdiagnosed.

TRUE STORY / A group of women came to us with what they thought was toenail fungus. In fact, it was a bacteria known as pseudomonas—which turned their toenails green—caused by dirty water at a spa they all patronised. Had they not come to us, and assumed, as many people do, that it was fungal, they would likely have bought over-the-counter treatments that would have been ineffective against bacteria, making the situation worse. 

Patients with pseudomonas, a bacterial infection that is often mistaken for toenail fungus.

What type do you have?

There are basically five main categories fungal infections, caused either by dermatophytes, yeasts or molds:

1.     Distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO)—This is the most common type. The infection typically starts towards the edge of the nail and causes yellowish discolouration and thickening. The nail can also take on a crumbly texture.

2.     Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO)—This is type that often occurs in immunocompromised patients.

3.     White superficial onychomycosis (WSO)—These white patches, which start at the cuticle, can usually be buffed off.

4.     Endonyx onychomycosis (EO)—This is defined by white discolouration of the nail, which otherwise appears normal (no lines or thickening).

5.     Candidal onychomycosis (CO)—A fairly rare form, this is categorised by white grooves and thickening of the nail, as well as swelling of the affected toe.

Treatment

Simpler fungal infections can be dealt with by scraping away the fungus and treating the nail with topical medications before it starts to erode. Depending on the stage the infection is at, prescription oral meds might be necessary.

We’ve also got a super-effective way of dealing with fungal infections that are more advanced, and where the nails have already thickened: lasers. Like any fungus, toenail infections do better in moist areas, so the heat from our lasers dries them right up!

As with any medical condition, it’s best to catch toenail fungus early, so if you have any questions or concerns, schedule a consultation with us.  

COOL CREAMS!

One of the many reasons we believe in our SkinCeuticals skincare line is because every product is supported by extensive scientific research and clinical trials, making the brand great not just for everyday skin health, but also your best choice for helping to manage challenging skin conditions like psoriasis. Here’s a quick look at two of our faves…

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Known for its anti-ageing properties, this wonder cream gently nourishes skin, hydrating it by as much as 57%! This is good news for psoriasis sufferers, as it has a really soothing effect on redness and irritation. It also helps to brighten skin and even out its tone, while helping to restore its external barrier function and support self-repair.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel This is an oil-free moisturiser that helps to replenish the nutrients skin needs to stay healthy. The combination of vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid makes it easier for moisture to bind well to the skin to the skin, keeping it hydrated. The gel works well for patients with acne, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, by providing excellent hydration without clogging pores.

You can order either of these super-effective products here, or check out our wider range under the SHOP tab on our website.

SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON PSORIASIS

Far from being a simple skin condition, psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease, whereby the body’s natural defence mechanism misreads a threat and begins to attack itself. With psoriasis, this outwardly manifests as inflamed patches of skin, typically covered by translucent scaling.  

While the normal skin cell rejuvenation process is fairly slow, in psoriasis patients it’s on fast-forward. Old skin cells don’t have time to shed naturally, which causes buildup. This is why psoriasis patches often look raised and bumpy. In severe cases, they may crack and bleed, but practically all instances of psoriasis involve uncomfortable itching, burning and soreness.

Like most autoimmune diseases, psoriasis can affect anyone, though some people are genetically predisposed. Psoriasis cannot be cured, but it is absolutely possible to live with it, and to keep flare-ups under control. Psoriasis can show up anywhere, from your head to your toes. It often appears on joints, but can also make its presence known in other areas, including the face, mouth, nails, and genitals.  

No psoriasis is the same

There are five main types of psoriasis:

1.     Plaque (the most common form)

2.     Guttate (most prevalent during childhood)

3.     Inverse (generally shows up in areas with folds)

4.     Pustular (more localised)

5.     Erythrodermic (rare, widespread and potentially fatal)

The body’s reaction to stressful events often brings on autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, so we’re not in the least bit surprised that—more than a year into the pandemic—many of our patients have recently been experiencing harsh flare-ups.

More in the mortar

Although psoriasis has long been associated with psoriatic arthritis, which is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but accompanied by the hallmark of inflamed skin, recent studies have closely linked the condition to the presence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore recommend that anyone with acute psoriasis should have their heart health evaluated, as psoriasis is by no means limited to a skin condition; we must treat it as more of a systemic disease.

Psoriasis has also been found to be connected to other serious diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and—because of the social exclusion that often happens as a result of the disease—anxiety and depression.

Treatment

At Serpentine Dermatology, we diagnose the condition through a biopsy and treat it holistically—including doing a lot of listening and offering you techniques to support mental and emotional well being. Although psoriasis is still quite a misunderstood disease with connections to other health conditions, medication has come a really long way over the past 10-15 years. This is great news for anyone living with psoriasis, because it translates into a much better quality of life.

The first step, as in the case with other autoimmune conditions, is to avoid triggers that make psoriasis worse. This means controlling your stress levels, avoiding alcohol, maintaining a health diet and body weight, and ensuring that whatever medications you may be taking are not contributing to flare-ups. Physical injuries, which are often unavoidable, can also exacerbate the condition.

Recommended meds typically run the gamut from topical creams to pills, though the latter is reserved for more serious cases, as they have side effects and are not ideal for long-term use. Occasionally, flare-ups may be so intense as to require treatment by injection, the results of which are more immediate. The classes of medications that we use to treat the condition all work either by regulating your immune system or trying to curb the production of skin cells.

 Light therapy also yields good results, since ultraviolet light curbs the activity of overprotective white bood cells that attack the body. We have a light box that delivers narrow band wavelengths of UVB 311nm, which are very helpful in controlling the condition, especially in less chronic cases.  

For us, though, the best treatment approach is always custom-designed to suit your lifestyle and personal experience of the disease. Just remember: as discouraging as a psoriasis diagnosis may be, it’s worse to ignore it. Taking control of the condition early means that you have a much better chance of living well with it. If you have any questions or concerns, schedule a consultation with us.  

WHAT A BRIGHT IDEA!

Imagine a wonderfully hydrating sunscreen that feels more like a moisturiser, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays while brightening and evening skin tone. Well, it’s finally here – introducing the new SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen!

Perfect for all skin types and lifestyles, it protects, hydrates, and brightens with such a sheer finish that you’ll hardly remember you’re wearing sunscreen at all! Its broad spectrum (SPF 30) protection, coupled with discolouration-correcting and hydrating ingredients, creates brighter, more even skin – and the clinical results prove it:

• Immediately hydrates skin by 57%

• Evens skin tone by 34%

• Brightens skin by 38%

This dual-action daily hydrating sunscreen offers you the sturdiest level of UV protection while giving skin much-needed hydration and reducing the appearance of discolouration caused by sun damage.

 Even better, you can incorporate it with other SkinCeuticals products to boost the effectiveness of your existing skincare regimen. Use it in conjunction with the Phloretin CF Vitamin C serum for added defence against UVA and UVB rays, as well as the free radicals that contribute to premature ageing. This super combo will really help deal with discolouration and even out your skin tone.

 Daily Brightening UV Defense specifically targets discolouration while providing the ultimate UV protection. Order yours today!

THE SUN AND YOUR SKIN

There’s nothing quite like a sunny day, but even in overcast weather, ultraviolet rays can be harmful. The sun is the main source of both UVA and UVB rays. As are for ageing (their long wavelengths reach deep into the skin’s middle layer), while Bs are for burning (their rays affect the skin’s outermost layer). UV rays can cause everything from vision problems to skin cancer.

 Most often, sun damage causes the skin to age prematurely, but there are steps you can take to counteract the ill effects of the sun while getting your much-needed dose of Vitamin D:

• Cover up

• Wear polarised sunglasses

• Stay in the shade (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)

• Most importantly, use a good sunscreen, taking care to reapply regularly (this helps keep wrinkles and sun spots at bay for as long as possible)

SkinCeuticals, our trusted flagship brand, has a wide range of effective sunscreens to suit every need and skin type.

Of course, artificial sources of UV rays (think tanning beds and other kinds of lighting) also cause burning, and have been linked to many types of skin cancer. Although most modern computers use LED backlight and LCD panels which do not emit harmful UV rays, it’s always a good idea to limit your screen time to only necessary use. Avoid using them outdoors as well, since screens are reflective and can mirror the sun’s UV rays onto our faces.

 Bear in mind, too, that some cosmetics and medications, including antibiotics and birth control pills, may increase sensitivity to UV light. Exposure can weaken the body’s immune system, taking you longer to recover from illness and making vaccines less effective – which no one wants, especially now! 

 Give your skin the protection it deserves and check out our sunscreen options; if you’re worried about the effects of UV light on your skin or suspect the presence of skin cancer, schedule a consultation with us.