Fungal Foot Infections – The Ongoing Battle

Fungal Foot Infections are Common:

Fungal foot infections are one of the most common reasons for patients coming into the clinic. Tinea Pedis is the most common fungal foot infection, and there are currently many topical applications that are suitable to treat this, like clotrimazole, miconazole and terbinafine.

However, there is a new player in the game, in the form of hypochlorous solution, or to use its marketing name, Clinisept+. This has been shown to have strong activity against fungus and fungal spores, which have historically been difficult to eliminate.

One of the biggest issues when treating tinea pedis is preventing the spread or reinfection of the fungus. Studies have shown that material, such as socks, that have been exposed to T. rubum (the common dermatophyte responsible for tinea pedis), and then exposed to hypochlorous solution, were 99.99% free of the fungus. This suggests that the product is incredibly useful for decontaminating clothing, for those patients suffering from chronic tinea infections.

This product could also be used as a shoe disinfection spray. The product works more effectively when wet, so users could spray the inside of their shoes, and then leave them to dry naturally, to try and eradicate any fungal spores in their shoes.

It can also be used as a preventative measure, spraying the feet daily with the product, to prevent further outbreaks of the infection. In fact, it is a great all-rounder! It is a fantastic, but also skin safe, antimicrobial which can be used safely in the home.  If you think Clinisept+ could help you, please give the clinic a call on 07 838 0003 and we will be happy to advise!

Oral Anti-fungal Medications – How Safe are They?

Oral anti-fungal medications are the gold standard treatment for advanced fungal infections of the foot and nail, and they have an 80% success rate, but there is a 40% relapse rate after 4 years. Using something like Clinisept+ could help prevent this relapse.

Oral Terbinafine has been available since the early 1990’s as an effective way to treat fungal infections. It is an allylamine drug used in the treatment of onychomycosis. There has always been some controversy on the side effects of this drug, especially on the liver.

Before the introduction of this drug, the options for treatment were limited, and often disappointing. Griseofulvin and Ketoconazole were the only oral offerings, and they were far from effective.

Terbinafine became more widely used in the treatment of fungal nail infections. It is metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, and as such, a reduced function in either of those organs could lead to serious problems for the wrong patient. It has been shown to induce idiosyncratic liver injury, or drug induced liver injury (DILI). Therefore, The British National Formulary advises that it should not be prescribed for patients with known liver problems, and other patients should have liver function tests before beginning treatment. These tests should be carried out periodically 4-6 weeks after treatment begins. The test monitors the levels of liver enzymes within the bloodstream, elevated levels can indicate disturbances in the liver function.

As shown above, the use of terbinafine can lead to liver problems, but in reality, it is probably safer than it is perceived. Minor side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset, taste disturbances, headaches, and rashes, are far more likely for the majority of patients, rather than serious liver damage.

Despite this, patients on terbinafine will be closely monitored, and asked to report any symptoms or side effects so they can be properly analysed.

Suffering from a Fungal Foot Infection?

Are you are feeling like you have tried everything but are still suffering from fungal foot infection?
Do you feel like you have seen every health practitioner you can about your fungal foot infection with no results?
We have a track record of diagnosing and successfully treating cases that have previously proven difficult to resolve and we’d love to help you get the problem sorted.