Active protection against foot and nail mycosis
Daily prevention is essential to counteract fungal infections of foot skin (dermatophytosis) and nail skin (onychomycosis), especially for patients with immune system dysfunction such as diabetes related. Careful cleansing, performed with specific products, protects against recurrent and more serious bacterial infections, which are very difficult to treat. Dermatophytosis initially involves erythema, itching and skin flaking […]
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A new remedy to regulate foot sweating
Hyperhidrosis, or chronic excessive sweating, is a functional disorder with important repercussions on the patient’s psychophysical health. It is often perceived and treated as a mere “aesthetic” problem, without considering the biological mechanisms that regulate sweating. The possible complications related to hyperhidrosis, however, require a specific approach that aims not only to ensure the effectiveness […]
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Adelmidrol for topical use, a step forward in podiatry
One of the most important impulses to the development of podological medical discipline comes from scientific research on neuro-inflammatory processes. Today the molecule of choice for the control of various foot pathologies is Adelmidrol, an aliamide able to enhance the physiological mechanisms of protection of the skin tissues and, thus, limit the neuro-inflammatory response resulting […]
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Plantar bromhidrosis, can interfere with our relationships
Sweating is a complex biological phenomenon, extraordinarily important for keeping body temperature within physiological limits, is finely controlled at peripheral and central level. The activity of the sweat glands – eccrine and apocrine – is coordinated by the district neuro-endocrine system, which is in turn regulated by the mast cell, a dermal-epidermal tissue-resident cell, with […]
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Diabetic neuropathy: the Podiatrist’s help in diagnosing
Distal Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, often chronic and disabling but frequently underestimated and inadequately treated. This short article discusses this emerging problem (affecting 1 in 3 people suffering with diabetes), providing indications on the diagnostic approach and on the latest generation of topical molecules that can be used to restore the […]
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Christmas period: tired and swollen legs. Natural remedies to help
It’s not only Santa Claus’s feet that feel the effects … The Christmas period is a very busy time for many people. In the sales sector, on industrial production lines, in bars and restaurants or in hairdressing salons, but also in hospitals or doctors’ surgeries, over half the employees spend many hours on their feet […]
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Managing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness “nature’s way”
In professional and non-professional sports activities, physical exercise can lead to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS. The level of pain experienced ranges from slight muscle discomfort to a maximum muscle ache enough to limit performance. The onset occurs after around 8–24 hours, with a maximum peak at around 48–96 hours after the exercise. Normal […]
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Foot Hyperalgesia : what is it, and how to manage it
When we talk about hyperalgesic states of the foot we refer to a pain frequently localized in specific foot (metatarsal bones, foot sole and foot neck, etc.) or ankle structures. There are several trigger factors for the hyperalgesic states in the foot: dysmetabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes); foot nerves diseases (e.g. due to drugs, autoimmune conditions, […]
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Diabetic foot: risks and prevention
Among the diabetes complications, we found the diabetic foot, a severe disabling chronic condition, sustained by blood vessels damage (driven by oxidative stress) and by nerves injury (diabetic neuropathy ) affecting lower limbs. The sensory deficit typical in case of diabetic foot (not feeling pain or perceiving tactile stimuli) is frequently associated with a skin […]
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ALIAmides: molecules of new generation in the wise hands of Podiatrists
ALIAmides have long been known in dermatology. These are natural molecules, capable of controlling inflammation, itching and pain and can now boast confirmation both of their mechanism of action and clinical efficacy. In fact, specific scientific analysis, have shown that these molecules – for systemic or topical administration, reduce significantly skin and mucosa mast cells […]
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Diabetic foot management with molecules of new generation
The diabetic foot syndrome today is considered as a disorder definitely disabling, and represents the most evident symptom of a widespread dysmetabolic disease that involves not only nerves but also arteries and veins in lower limbs. At the base of the diabetic foot symptoms and tissues alterations (pain, tingling, itching, loss of nerve sensitivity and […]
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Metatarsalgia: what is it and how manage it
The general term metatarsalgia is used to denote a pain in the metatarsal region, in most cases it is referred in the plantar area, and is caused by an excessive load over one or more metatarsal joints. Among the most common causes of metatarsalgia are found: Transverse plane deformity of the foot; Joint diseases of […]
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Care for the diabetic foot ulceration: the skin reepithelialization importance
The diabetic foot ulceration iso one of the main complications of diabetes. It is estimated that around the 30 % of diabetics is destined to develop a foot ulceration over a lifetime, with the risk of amputation of part or whole foot. The challenge, for this kind of injury, consists in reaching an optimal skin […]
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Foot sweating (hyperhidrosis): complications and remedies
In the Podological field, hyperhidrosis is an excessive foot sweating causing unpleasant odor (bromhidrosis) despite an accurate hygiene. Foot hyperhidrosis carries a high risk of secondary complications like: fungal infections (mycosis), skin maceration, contact dermatitis, ulcerations due to a continuous humidity on the foot sole in patients with fragile skin (e.g. diabetics). If sweat keeps […]
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Novel remedies for nail mycoses
Skin, mucosa and nail mycoses are frequent problems (frequently not dangerous) caused by fungus (mycetes) and transmitted to humans from the environment or spread from person to person. For the treatment of mycoses several pharmaceutical or surgical remedies are available. Anyhow, fungal infection might become particularly dangerous in “fragile” individuals with: metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes) […]
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Ingrown toenail: what is it and which remedies are available
Ingrown nail or onicocriptosis is one of the most common nail disorders. The causing factors for an excessive mechanical stimulation exerted on the periungual tissues (a cause for inflammation, fibrosis and epidermal injury), excessive sweating with maceration in the nail groove, fungal infections affecting the nail plate, biomechanical alterations contributing to the onset of the […]
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Tendon inflammations
What are tendon inflammations? Tendons are bands of fibrous tissue that connect the muscles to the bones, thereby allowing the contractile apparatus to function properly. These essential fibrous structures with a pearly white colour transform the force created by muscular contraction into movement. Although they have a robust structure and are able to take significant loads, […]
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5° varus finger
The 5th finger varus is a forefoot deformity characterized by the hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint at the 5th finger of the foot, with an inward deviation. In fact, the 5th foot finger is bent to the other fingers, and its lateral margin shows an annoying swelling hindering walking, wearing shoes or even a simple […]
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Pathologies of the big toe
The most common pathologies that can affect the big toe are: Hallux valgus Hallux rigidus What is Hallux valgus? Hallux valgus is a deformity that affects the big toe and manifests itself in the form of an inward deviation of the metatarsal bone that leaves it at an abnormal angle. What are the symptoms Hallux […]
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Severe skin dryness
What is Severe skin dryness? As we get older, the skin and its appendages undergo structural, morphological and functional modifications due to aging, in itself physiological. Prolonged exposure to UV rays (photoaging) also causes changes to the skin, which especially in the elderly lead to excessive dysepithelialization and moderate-severe dryness. Natural skin aging brings a […]
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Onycopathies: small dictionary on nail problems
Have you ever wondered if saying “broken nail” is the correct term? Or what is the correct name of the ingrown nail? With this small glossary, every nail “problem” has its name (to learn about all the pathologies, read the in-depth “Nail disorders”). Let’s see the words of the nails together! Glossary on nail […]
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Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, or rather the flat band of fibrous connective tissue that stretches from the medial region of the calcaneus (heel bone) to the root of the toes. This structure is divided into three parts (medial, central and lateral) and its job is to transfer […]
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Neuropathic and ischaemic foot
Neuropathy and diabetic foot – Neuropathic foot Diabetic neuropathy causes the peripheral nerves to suffer (neuroinflammation) followed by a reduction in sensitivity in the event of any cut, callus or injury in the lower limbs; this causes the patient to act, move and walk as if there were no damage. In this way, correct healing of […]
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Morton’s neuroma
What is Morton’s neuroma? Morton’s neuroma consists of an enlargement of one of the nerves located between the toes. The chronic irritation that causes the neuroma takes its name from the 19th century American surgeon Thomas George Morton who was the first to describe this painful condition. If neglected, Morton’s neuroma can lead to the […]
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Prevention of diabetic foot – Useful advice
Like most other pathologies, for diabetic foot too the best “cure” is prevention. An approach based on prevention limits the phenomena responsible for skin ulcers and thereby reduces the need for amputations. Where sensitive neuropathy is present, frequent checks on the foot are recommended in such a way as to monitor any symptoms of this […]
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Epidermal crack
What is epidermal crack? Cracked feet and the formation of so called fissures on the heels or soles of the feet, are common conditions that affect men and women indiscriminately, but they develop more frequently among the elderly. As we age, the protective fat that makes up part of the sole of the foot becomes […]
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Hyperalgesic conditions or hypersensitivity to pain
What are hyperalgesic conditions or hypersensitivity to pain? Hyperalgesia (the pathological increase of sensitivity to painful stimuli) is commonly experienced following a series of primary pathologies (herpes zoster, diabetes, superficial peripheral neuropathies associated with inflammatory joint pathologies, various kinds of trauma and algodystrophy) which to varying degrees affect the quality of life of the population […]
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Chronic Venous Insufficiency or Chronic Venous Disease
What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency or Chronic Venous Disease? Chronic venous disease is a condition that makes it difficult for the blood to return to the heart. In the lower limbs this causes an increase in pressure in the capillaries resulting in oedemas, generalised hypoxia and lactic acidaemia (too much lactic acid in the blood). […]
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Allergic contact dermatitis
What is allergic contact dermatitis? Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by natural allergens or chemicals, it manifests itself in the form of inflammation and reddening of the skin and itching. A typical sign of allergic dermatitis is the formation of blisters full of blood serum around the inflamed skin. If the blisters […]
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Types of onychomycosis
So-called nail fungus (onychomycosis) generally takes five forms: Proximal subungual onychomycosis Distal subungual onychomycosis Candidal onychomycosis White superficial onychomycosis Total dystrophic onychomycosis Distal subungual onychomycosis Affects the fingernails and toenails; usually caused by the pathogenic agent Trichophyton rubrum, it appears in the form of subungual hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin), onycholysis (detachment of the nail […]
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Mycoses
MYCOSES are infections caused by mycetes, more commonly known as fungi, that can colonise: skin, hair, nails (onychomycosis) and the genital areas, e.g. infection by Candida albicans. It is important to note that some mycetes can be found in normal microbial flora known as cutaneous microbiome. Cutaneous flora is made up of the microorganisms that […]
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Haglund’s deformity
What is Haglund’s deformity? Haglund’s deformity is an inflammation of the heel of the foot featuring an abnormal outgrowth of the back of the calcaneus (heel bone) in the region of the Achille’s heel. If footwear is used that has a stiff back edge against the heel, painful inflammation can swell and cause a fibrous callus. […]
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Microbial contaminations in Podiatric Medicine: a problem to be solved
Podolife attended the 4th World Congress for Podology and Podiatry, held in Naples on April 27-29 2018, and presented a workshop entitled “The microbiological risk in the Podiatrist’s clinic”. The microbiological contaminations are a serious issue for the Podiatric medical practice. Being able to control the microbiological risk represents a therapeutic advantage that allows to […]
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Treatment and prevention of diabetic foot
The specific therapeutic approach to treating diabetes, and associated comorbidities (e.g. alteration to the tissues in the feet), is multidisciplinary as the diagnosis requires the assessment of more than one healthcare specialist (Diabetologist, Podiatrist, Surgeon). Patients suffering from diabetes should follow all the instructions given by the Specialist to put into practice an effective prevention program […]
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Nails and onychomycoses
The nail The nail is the thin and slightly convex four-sided plate located on the ends of our fingers and toes. Comprised mainly of keratin (and lower percentages of fats, amino acids, water, vitamins and minerals), its reddish colour is due to the colour of the blood that transpires from the skin, but if it […]
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Foot Aging Syndrome
As time has progressed, science and technology have made it possible for all humankind to live longer. The current world situation, especially in the western hemisphere shows an increase in the population over the age of 60 years. Data processed by the UN highlight the need to know, control and prevent pathologies that affect the […]
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Hyperkeratosis
What is hyperkeratosis? Hyperkeratosis is an alteration of the skin and consists of a thickening of the outermost layer of the epidermis which is subject to a build-up of epithelial cells or keratinocytes. Keratinocytes form on the basal layer of the epidermis and are expelled from the surface of the skin once their 40-day cycle […]
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Pathologies of the nails
The most common pathologies affecting the nails are: ANONYCHIA Anonychia is the absence of nails on the fingers or toes and can be either congenital (or more rarely linked to growth disorders) or acquired (as a result of psoriasis). This pathology may occur together with a variation in the natural colour of the nail (chromonychia). The cause […]
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Sportspeople’s feet
People who regularly engage in sports put greater stress on one of the most important parts of their anatomy during physical activity: the foot. The intensity and frequency of the activity can cause the foot to undergo traumas or will leave it not in the best condition; it is therefore useful to know that especially […]
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Athlete’s foot
What is athlete’s foot? Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis or ringworm of the foot) is a contagious mycotic infection caused by a dermatophyte fungus: Tinea Pedis. This type of foot fungus is very common among athletes and sportspeople that frequent hot, humid and public places. Transmission of the fungus in question takes place: Directly: by coming […]
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The feet of diabetic patients
Diabetes is a condition in which levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high due to a biological deficiency of insulin, the hormone that controls glycaemia in the blood and which is produced by the pancreas. The main problems for diabetics today relate to the chronic complications associated with this pathology. Among the […]
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