Fungal infections can affect any part of the body. Fungi are normally present in and on the body alongside various bacteria. But when a fungus begins to overgrow, you can get an infection.
Onychomycosis, also called tinea unguium, is a fungal infection that affects either the fingernails or toenails. Fungal infections normally develop over time, so any immediate difference in the way your nail looks or feels may be too subtle to notice at first.
Since this infection is contagious and can be transmitted directly or by using the belongings of an infected person, this serves as the reason for such wide spread rate of this infection.
Why Medical Grade Skin Care Products Are Better - https://mailchi.mp/valleyskininstitute.com/medical-grade-skin-care-products
The fourth component of a daily skin care routine is moisturizing. Moisturizing is a way to replenish those vital moisture molecules the skin loses throughout the day. As an added benefit, it acts as a protective barrier to support the actions of other products you have already added to your skin.
Some people moisturize only at night before they go to bed to seal in the retinol product they have just applied, but you can moisturize in the morning as well. Keep in mind that most quality sunscreens do have moisturizing agents in them for the same purpose.
Our FIG Repair Cream is specifically formulated to moisturize the skin and help support other products in your skin care routine. Learn more here:https://shop.valleyskininstitute.com/shop/moisturizers/repair-cream/
Although over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products are readily available and typically less expensive than their medical grade counterparts, the mixture of ingredients used in OTC products is usually non-specific.
This generalization is necessary because over-the-counter products are designed to be sold in the mass marketplace.
Generalization also means that these OTC products are not created with your specific skin care needs in mind, which is one of the biggest differences between over-the-counter products and the medical grade skin care products that are available.
Care to find out which kind of products are better for your skin?
Continue reading here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/medical-grade-skin-care-products/
VALLEYSKININSTITUTE.COM
Why Are Medical Grade Skin Care Products Better for Your Skin
“Dr. Ruegner always takes the time to ask how I’m doing when I have an appointment. She is patient, knowledgeable, and very gentle during your visit.” Lisa G.
Lipids are natural fats that keep the outer layer of your skin moist and healthy. Unfortunately, lipids are destroyed by detergents and alcohol… the exact same ingredients that are found in hand sanitizers and cleansers.
While it’s important to protect yourself from contagious illnesses such as COVID-19, you’ll also want to protect your skin from the drying effects of these harsh cleansers by applying a good hand cream after you sanitize.
We have a tendency of taking some of our body parts for granted and unlucky for the nails, they fall in that category.
Many of us maintain good hygiene by showering daily but often overlook the importance of practicing good nail hygiene. Here are some ways you can care for your nails on a routine basis by practicing these basic good nail hygiene:
✔️ Trim your nails with sharp manicure scissors or nail clippers, then gently file away any sharp edges to avoid scratching yourself.
✔️ Use a soft nail brush to clean under the nails.
✔️ Avoid using sharp tools under the nails as this can lift the nail and welcome bacteria.
✔️ Apply moisturizer to your hands, fingernails, and cuticles to help keep them hydrated.
Lastly, Nail changes are also important to pay attention to, because they could be cluing you in on your overall health situation. Instead of ignoring your nails until they need cosmetic attention, you may want to consider giving them the proper care they need before it starts affecting your health.
Nail Fact:
The habit of nail-biting has a medical name and is known as onychophagia.
😀
Who’s at risk for nail fungal infections?
There are many different causes of fungal nail infections. Each cause has a treatment of its own. Although many of the causes of a fungal nail infection are preventable, some risk factors increase the likelihood of developing one.
You’re more likely to develop a fungal nail infection if you:
- have diabetes
- have a disease that causes poor circulation
- are over age 65
- wear artificial nails
- swim in a public swimming pool
- have a nail injury
- have a skin injury around the nail
- have moist fingers or toes for an extended time
- have a weakened immune system
- wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes or boots
Read what these satisfied patient have to say about their experience at Valley Skin Institute by visiting our website at https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/about/what-patients-are-saying/
When a nail becomes infected, the structure of the nail is altered such that it is not able to provide its normal function. The nail becomes distorted, weak and the whole toe nail may appear different. The function of the nail is to protect by providing a hard covering to the nail bed. In this case, the affected nail part or even the whole nail fails to do so. This results in weakening of the nail and often times the nail even gets separated from the nail bed.
In early stages, the infection is not that even painful and does not give a constant stinging sensation however, if ignored for long while it can start bothering you and may become worse. In early stages of infection self-treatment such as keeping your fingers and toes clean can suffice and there might not be any need of proper medication or treatment to make the infection go away.
As the fungal infection starts to make its roots deeper into the toenails, the whole nail may appear yellow and thick with crumbled edges. If the infection rests for too long and is not treated properly it might come back again and again.
A fungal nail infection occurs from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections.
Fungi that are already present in or on your body can cause nail infections. If you have come in contact with someone else who has a fungal infection, you may have contracted it as well. Fungal infections affect toenails more commonly than fingernails, likely because your toes are usually confined to shoes, where they’re in a warm, moist environment.
If you get a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, be sure to ask how the staff disinfects their tools and how often they do it. Tools, such as emery boards and nail clippers, can spread fungal infections from person to person if they’re not sanitized.
What does it look like?
A fungal infection of the nail may affect the part of the nail, the entire nail, or several nails.
Common signs of a fungal nail infection include:
👉 a distorted nail that may lift off from the nail bed
👉 an odor coming from the infected nail
👉 a brittle or thickened nail
Nail infections occur more often in men than in women, and the infections are found in adults more often than in children. If you have family members who often get these types of fungal infections, you’re more likely to get them as well.
Older adults have a high risk of getting fungal nail infections because they have poorer circulation. The nails also grow more slowly and thicken as we age.
Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. They’ll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.
In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.
Nail infections occur more often in men than in women, and the infections are found in adults more often than in children. If you have family members who often get these types of fungal infections, you’re more likely to get them as well.
Older adults have a high risk of getting fungal nail infections because they have poorer circulation. The nails also grow more slowly and thicken as we age.
Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. They’ll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.
In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.
Not only is Esmeralda H. a wonderful Medical Assistant, it’s also her birthday today. Show her some love.
If you’re struggling with toenail fungus or foot fungus, you’re certainly not alone. According to InformedHealth.org, these conditions affect up to 15% of the population.
While this type of fungal infection is extremely common, getting rid of it isn’t always easy. However, there are several ways to treat and even help prevent foot and toenail fungus.
What are foot and toenail fungus?
Foot fungus is commonly known as athlete’s foot and is a fungal infection of the skin. While foot fungus most often occurs between the toes, it can also affect the entire sole of the foot.
Toenail fungus, referred to as onychomycosis in the medical community, is a fungal infection that occurs in the toenails. These two infections are caused by the same fungi.
Read more on how to to get rid of nail fungus here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/foot-and-toenail-fungus-treatment/
Say 👋🏼 to Esmeralda, one of our newer Medical Assistants at VSI. We’re glad you’re a part of the team.
Stephanie, we’re so grateful for all you do. Happy Assistant's WEEK!! 👊🏼💪🏽
Sending more love to all the Medical Assistants at VSI. Say 👋🏼 to Jenna!
Nail Fact:
Human nails are made of Keratin. It is actually a protective protein that also makes up our hair. However, the arrangement of keratin molecules in hair is completely different from the arrangement of keratin molecules in nails.
This is why nails are tougher than hair.
Excess moisture around the nails could be problematic. If you’re prone to excessive moisture around your fingernails or toenails, consider buying:
👉 antifungal sprays or powders
👉 moisture-wicking socks
👉 your own manicure or pedicure set
How to Get Rid of Foot and Toenail Fungus Before it Gets Worse - https://mailchi.mp/valleyskininstitute.com/medical-grade-skin-care-products-5093502
Post-Treatment: Knocking out a fungal infection can require a lot of patience and willpower, especially when your daily activities and tasks are affected by a sometimes painful bacterial infestation on your skin.
Proper care and hygiene is essential, especially with respect to any sweaty parts of your body in warm humid climates or weather. Wash your feet and hands with antibacterial soaps.
Eat healthy foods and change your socks and gloves every day to prevent the accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
Your main goal should be to keep your fingers and toes clean and dry.
Happy Halloween from VSI~
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that uses a combination of prescribed topical drugs and high-intensity light to treat cancer cells. In this case, Doctors choose to use this therapy to fight pre-cancer cells or kill a skin cancer tumor.
PDT has been shown to break up the blood vessels that nourish cancer cells and “wakes up” your immune system to fight Skin cancers.
What Does Photodynamic Therapy Treat?
At Valley Skin Institute, we use red or blue light PDT to treat:
✔️ Basal cell cancer
✔️ Bowen's disease -- an early form of squamous cell carcinoma
✔️ Actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) –a rough, scaly patches of skin, usually found in older adults
Read more about the situations PDT is recommended for here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/procedures/about-photodynamic-therapy-pdt/
Photodynamic Therapy For Skin Cancer
A doctor may remove any crust or scale from an area of skin that needs to be treated. Then, a special cream with photosensitizing agents is gently applied to cover the area.
How long does it take? The skin absorbs the cream at different rates depending on the type of cream used. The times range from a few hours to 18 hours on thicker skin areas like arms or legs. A patient may be asked to return the next day if the topical drug takes a while to be absorbed.
Do you have more questions about PDT? Check out our FAQ section here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/procedures/about-photodynamic-therapy-pdt/
Happy birthday to the one and only @storeyleslie
What to Expect With Photodynamic Therapy.
PDT is an outpatient treatment. As with any skin cancer treatment, you may have side effects that vary from person to person. Common effects include:
👉 Pain
👉 Photosensitivity (Your eyes and skin sensitive to light)
👉 Burning
👉 Stinging
👉 Redness
👉 Itching
👉 Swelling
👉 Blistering
Your provider will discuss with you how to manage these side effects. Find out here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/procedures/about-photodynamic-therapy-pdt/
Pain is a major drawback of photodynamic therapy. The treatment can be intense and, in some cases, intolerable for patients, requiring interruption or termination of the process. Several strategies for controlling pain during therapy have been researched; however, few effective methods are available.
If this therapy is an option for you, it is best to discuss at length with your doctor to understand the available pain management options.
What should you do before a PDT treatment? Find out here: https://www.valleyskininstitute.com/procedures/about-photodynamic-therapy-pdt/
PDT is not for everyone.
For instance, people with certain blood diseases should consult with a doctor first.
Also, individuals with allergies to peanuts or almonds should take precautions. Many of the creams used during PDT are not oil-based.
Be sure to disclose any existing allergies to the doctor before any treatment.
What is Photodynamic Therapy? - https://mailchi.mp/valleyskininstitute.com/medical-grade-skin-care-products-5107218
For people worried about going under the knife, Photodynamic Therapy is a non-surgical procedure. This therapy is a precise way to treat types of skin cancers and precancerous growths caused by sun damage.
😀
The advantage of PDT is that it requires less time than topical (skin cream) therapy. However, multiple treatments may be necessary.
Do you wash your face before you go to bed? Be honest! We know it can be tempting to just fall into bed at the end of a busy day, but washing before bed is vital for a healthy, clear complexion.
If you’re not already cleansing every night, this would be an ideal resolution for the New Year. Quick reminder: It’s also important to wash after a workout to prevent unwanted breakouts!
Before the pre-Christmas busyness completely takes over your life, we thought it would be an excellent time to consider some New Year’s resolutions for healthier skin!
The first step to healthier skin is to assess where your skin health is at now. What are you happy about, what are you concerned about?
Reconsider your skin type because it can change as you age. Are you oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination? Do you have acne, rosacea, fine lines?
Knowing where you are at will help you decide what changes you want to see!
When going outdoors, ensure you are safe by wearing protective clothing, glasses, and sunscreen. Avoid snow or any surface that may reflect light onto your skin.
Also, when sitting inside, avoid being under fluorescent lights or sitting by a window. It's common for PDT treated skin to blister, scale, or crust before it heals. In 3-weeks time, any formed scab should fall on its own. If there is any scarring, it's usually small.
In some cases, you may need more than one PDT session to ensure the skin cancer is properly treated. Make sure to follow up with your doctor.
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Are you making a New Year’s resolution to get into shape? That’s great news! Exercise doesn't just benefit your heart and lungs; it also improves the health of your skin. 😊
The increase in blood flow that results from exercising helps to nourish your skin. It also helps flush out free radicals from your skin’s cells, making it a cleanse from the inside.
Just be sure to wash after your workout, to prevent breakouts. And if you exercise outside, slap on that sunscreen for extra protection.
"In our last post, we talked about the importance of washing your face EVERY night. There is an opposite of this, and it’s OVER-washing your skin.
If your skin is dry or flaky in the morning, you don’t actually need to wash it. Over-washing leads to tight, dehydrated, or otherwise irritated skin. It can even cause breakouts as your skin tries to compensate by sending your oil glands into overdrive.
Earlier, we talked about assessing your skin. If it’s normal or dry and you are using a cleanser for oily or acne-prone skin, that can also lead to over washing.
Do you have questions about your skin type, or do you want to know what skincare products would be best for you?
Request an appointment with Valley Skin Institute, we’d be happy to guide you to healthier, more radiant skin."
Healthy eating is another '2 for 1' New Year’s resolution. Proper nutrition nourishes your cells, which is good for every part of your body, including your skin!
Healthy fats help to give your skin a radiant glow. For the best skin benefits choose monounsaturated fats like avocados, fish, and nuts.
Protein is another essential nutrient source. Your body turns protein into amino acids that form the structure of your skin.
Fruits and veggies are packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Foods that are high in Vitamin C, like Brussels sprouts and broccoli, protect your skin from free radicals.
If you have concerns that you are not getting enough of these vital nutrients, talk to your doctor or book an appointment with Valley Skin Institute.
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Saturday ONLY 25% Off Skincare ALL Products
Did you know that your skin absorbs what you put on it? I mean it really does go right into your dermis, your bloodstream, and even into your cells. That‘s why it’s so important to be careful about what goes on your skin.
Most likely, the skincare products you are currently using are safe, but what about cleaners and other chemicals that you may use around your home or work?
Fragrances are also easily absorbed, so try to avoid shower products and deodorants with heavy perfumes.
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MAILCHI.MP
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This holiday season give the gift of beautiful skin!
Valley Skin Institute now offers a full line of premium skincare products that are perfect for gift-giving and stocking stuffers. Our Vitamin C Brightening Serum is ideal for mature skin as it brightens and improves skin’s resilience.
For acne-prone skin, we recommend our Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Wash. It effectively cleanses and treats acne-prone skin without drying or irritation.
You can find our full line of productions online at valleyskininstitute.com, or click on the Shop tab on our Facebook page.
The gift of love.
The gift of peace.
The gift of happiness.
May all these be yours at Christmas.
Merry Xmas!!
5 Remedies for Scalp Folliculitis You Can Try at Home - https://mailchi.mp/valleyskininstitute.com/how-photodynamic-therapy-treats-skin-cancer-5121246
Get glowing skin, just in time for the holidays! Our new Fig line of skincare products includes gentle cleansers, moisturizers, skin brighteners, sunscreen, repair cream and more, designed to bring a radiant, healthy appearance to a variety of skin types
See the full selection on our website, valleyskiniinstitiute.com, or check out the Shop tab on our Facebook page.
Are you a night owl🦉or an early bird 🦜? Either way, resolving to get enough sleep will improve the health of your skin!
When you are sleep deprived, your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol in your system leads to inflammation in the body. And that’s when skin problems like eczema, acne, and psoriasis start showing up.
Resolve to get your ‘Beauty Sleep’ every night, and you’ll reap the benefits of healthy radiant skin! (Not to mention you’ll probably be in a better mood!)
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