Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Tue, 4 May 2004 08:58:12 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson This Little Piggy This Little Piggy Health Sciences Institute e-Alert May 4, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from onychomycosis? That's pronounced: onako-my-kosis. And if it doesn't have a catchy ring to it, it's far more appealing than calling it what it really is: toenail fungus. Not pretty, but what can you do? This common problem affects more than 12 million Americans. And many HSI members too, judging from the numerous postings on the HSI Forum that have addressed this annoying health problem. Recently, a member named Bill posted this typical question: " Does anyone know of a non-prescription way to clear up toenail fungus? " The key phrase here is " non-prescription, " because one of the ironies of this condition is that it's not harmful to your overall health, but the drugs used to address it definitely can be. ----------------------------- A stitch in time... ----------------------------- You may have seen the TV commercial for a toenail fungus medication in which a cartoon fungus spore lifts up a toenail and burrows in under the nail where he and his fungus friends wreak havoc. It's an uncomfortable image, but that's about how it works. When your bare feet are exposed to damp conditions in public areas - such as locker rooms or swimming pools - a fungus called trichophyton rubrum can slip in under a toenail and begin growing. Damaged nails are most susceptible, and people who have immune system disorders, diabetes or a history of athlete's foot are particularly vulnerable. Toenail fungus can be unsightly, but it doesn't hurt, and except for extreme cases it doesn't create any health problems. But once a nail is infected, the fungus can spread to other nails, including fingernails, so it's a good idea to treat it early, before it grows out of control. Some of those toenail fungus commercials will lead you to believe that medication is the only way to treat the problem, but don't you believe it. And, as I said above, the side effects for those medications are far worse than the fungus. They include headaches, nausea, rashes and even blood disorders. Liver damage is also enough of a danger that patients taking these drugs need to have their liver function tested during the medication period, which can take up to a year or more. That's because toenails only grow a couple of millimeters each month, and the healing progresses at the same slow speed - whether you use a prescription or natural methods. ----------------------------- Fungus fighting oils ----------------------------- One of the most common natural treatments for toenail fungus is tea tree oil, which is discussed at length on the HSI Forum. A member named Lynn says that after trimming her nail back (easy to do when it's in a deteriorating condition), she used a soft toothbrush to apply the oil twice each day. This process took nine months, but the nail eventually grew in just fine. Lynn might have helped her cause by taking one additional step. In a Health e-Tips e-letter last year, Amanda Ross wrote about some of the safe treatments for toenail fungus recommended by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. Because it's sometimes hard to get natural anti-fungals (such as tea tree oil and oregano oil) under the nail in sufficient concentration, Dr. Wright suggests applying DMSO, a natural solvent available at many natural food stores. Amanda writes: " DMSO carries the natural anti-fungal solutions right through the nail where they can start to work against the fungus. " Amanda also notes that oregano oil appears to be the most effective natural anti-fungal, but cautions that it's very strong. If it irritates surrounding skin, it can be diluted with a little olive oil to reduce potency. ----------------------------- Powerful stuff ----------------------------- In one of the toenail fungus threads on the HSI Forum, a member named Rosie says, " Dr. Wright recommends the good old fashioned topical antibiotic iodine for toenail fungus, specifically potassium iodide (SSKI). " Rosie's correct. Dr. Wright has written many times about how SSKI can inhibit or kill bacteria, viruses and fungi, and he highly recommends it in combination with DMSO for treating toenail fungus. But SSKI use comes with a couple of warnings. Very few people are allergic to iodine, but those who are should avoid its use in any form, including SSKI. Iodine can also suppress thyroid function when taken for long periods of time. So to be on the safe side, consult with your doctor or a naturopathic healthcare professional before using SSKI. Those with thyroid conditions need to take special care in monitoring thyroid function while using this treatment. And then there's the sock problem. If you apply SSKI to your toes and then put on socks, the iodine may stain the fabric with an orangey-brown color. So if the appearance of your socks is a concern, take care to reduce contact with toes that are freshly treated with SSKI. SSKI sometimes requires a prescription, but may be available without one in some compounding pharmacies and health food stores. ----------------------------- Getting off on the right foot ----------------------------- There are a couple of things you can do to help prevent onychomycosis from ever getting started. If your feet are regularly exposed to damp conditions, avoid using nail polish, which can help trap moisture beneath the nails. Keeping your feet clean and dry also helps, as does changing your socks or hosiery daily. And by all means, at the first sign of toenail discoloration, flaking or deterioration, begin treatment immediately and you may avoid spending the next year with your feet smelling like oregano. ************************************************************** ... and another thing When I sent you the recent e-Alert " Beef 'n' Butter " (4/20/04), I told you I would keep an eye out for further studies of the remarkable fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). And I found one. But it's not in a medical journal, it's in the The Coopers Town Crier - the local newspaper of Cooperstown, New York. Erin Dauchy, a senior at Cooperstown High School, recently won first place in the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) for a study she conducted to test CLA on breast cancer tumors. The manager of the Laboratory of Chrononeuroendrocrine Oncology at the Bassett Healthcare Research Institute told the Coopers Town Crier that Ms. Dauchy's study, " demonstrated for the first time in human breast tumors in vivo, that specific isomers of conjugated linoleic acid... dramatically inhibited tumor growth and metabolism. " And that assessment was probably spoken with some amount of pride, because it comes from Robert Dauchy, Erin's father. Since winning the JSHS competition, Erin's write up of her study has been accepted for publication in the journal Cancer Letters. She also presented her research at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. Erin describes her study as the " first work of its kind " conducted on a type of tumor that's proven unresponsive to treatment. Unresponsive so far, anyway. Erin told the Crier that she'd like to see her preliminary work followed up with a clinical trial. Here's hoping it is, with many more to follow. What we need is a whole generation of young researchers like Erin who will explore natural ways to treat cancer and other diseases. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopya.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** Sources: " Could one bottle in your medicine cabinet hold the healing secrets for everything from cysts to toenail fungus? " Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Nutrition & Healing Newsletter, November 2002, wrightnewsletter.com " Toe the Line " Amanda Ross, Health eTips, 1/30/03, wrightnewsletter.com " Dauchy's Cancer Research a Winner " Kelly Bruni, The Coopers Town Crier, 4/8/04, coopercrier.com Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Hi, Frank. I ended up with toenail fungus from having taken prednisone when I had cancer. I'm thankful the doctors I spoke with about the fungus told me there were prescriptions for it, like gryceofulvin(spelling?), but that the cure could be worse than the dis-ease because of side-effects. I opted NOT to take any drugs. I have actually hear that soaking one's feet in cider vinegar every day will eradicate toenail fungus. The thing is that any treatment to get rid of nail fungus takes a long time---months---because the fungus has to first be eradicated and then new nails have to grow in. Not a lot of people stick with the treatment long enough, I expect. Best wishes, Elliot , Frank <califpacific> wrote: > > > Tue, 4 May 2004 08:58:12 -0500 > HSI - Jenny Thompson > This Little Piggy > > This Little Piggy > > Health Sciences Institute e-Alert > > May 4, 2004 > > ************************************************************** > > Dear Reader, > > Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from > onychomycosis? > > That's pronounced: onako-my-kosis. And if it doesn't have a > catchy ring to it, it's far more appealing than calling it > what it really is: toenail fungus. > > Not pretty, but what can you do? This common problem affects > more than 12 million Americans. And many HSI members too, > judging from the numerous postings on the HSI Forum that > have addressed this annoying health problem. > > Recently, a member named Bill posted this typical > question: " Does anyone know of a non-prescription way to > clear up toenail fungus? " > > The key phrase here is " non-prescription, " because one of > the ironies of this condition is that it's not harmful to > your overall health, but the drugs used to address it > definitely can be. > > ----------------------------- > A stitch in time... > ----------------------------- > > You may have seen the TV commercial for a toenail fungus > medication in which a cartoon fungus spore lifts up a > toenail and burrows in under the nail where he and his > fungus friends wreak havoc. It's an uncomfortable image, but > that's about how it works. When your bare feet are exposed > to damp conditions in public areas - such as locker rooms or > swimming pools - a fungus called trichophyton rubrum can > slip in under a toenail and begin growing. Damaged nails are > most susceptible, and people who have immune system > disorders, diabetes or a history of athlete's foot are > particularly vulnerable. > > Toenail fungus can be unsightly, but it doesn't hurt, and > except for extreme cases it doesn't create any health > problems. But once a nail is infected, the fungus can spread > to other nails, including fingernails, so it's a good idea > to treat it early, before it grows out of control. > > Some of those toenail fungus commercials will lead you to > believe that medication is the only way to treat the > problem, but don't you believe it. And, as I said above, the > side effects for those medications are far worse than the > fungus. They include headaches, nausea, rashes and even > blood disorders. Liver damage is also enough of a danger > that patients taking these drugs need to have their liver > function tested during the medication period, which can take > up to a year or more. That's because toenails only grow a > couple of millimeters each month, and the healing progresses > at the same slow speed - whether you use a prescription or > natural methods. > > ----------------------------- > Fungus fighting oils > ----------------------------- > > One of the most common natural treatments for toenail fungus > is tea tree oil, which is discussed at length on the HSI > Forum. A member named Lynn says that after trimming her nail > back (easy to do when it's in a deteriorating condition), > she used a soft toothbrush to apply the oil twice each day. > This process took nine months, but the nail eventually grew > in just fine. > > Lynn might have helped her cause by taking one additional > step. In a Health e-Tips e-letter last year, Amanda Ross > wrote about some of the safe treatments for toenail fungus > recommended by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. Because it's > sometimes hard to get natural anti-fungals (such as tea tree > oil and oregano oil) under the nail in sufficient > concentration, Dr. Wright suggests applying DMSO, a natural > solvent available at many natural food stores. Amanda > writes: " DMSO carries the natural anti-fungal solutions > right through the nail where they can start to work against > the fungus. " > > Amanda also notes that oregano oil appears to be the most > effective natural anti-fungal, but cautions that it's very > strong. If it irritates surrounding skin, it can be diluted > with a little olive oil to reduce potency. > > ----------------------------- > Powerful stuff > ----------------------------- > > In one of the toenail fungus threads on the HSI Forum, a > member named Rosie says, " Dr. Wright recommends the good old > fashioned topical antibiotic iodine for toenail fungus, > specifically potassium iodide (SSKI). " > > Rosie's correct. Dr. Wright has written many times about how > SSKI can inhibit or kill bacteria, viruses and fungi, and he > highly recommends it in combination with DMSO for treating > toenail fungus. > > But SSKI use comes with a couple of warnings. Very few > people are allergic to iodine, but those who are should > avoid its use in any form, including SSKI. Iodine can also > suppress thyroid function when taken for long periods of > time. So to be on the safe side, consult with your doctor or > a naturopathic healthcare professional before using SSKI. > Those with thyroid conditions need to take special care in > monitoring thyroid function while using this treatment. > > And then there's the sock problem. If you apply SSKI to your > toes and then put on socks, the iodine may stain the fabric > with an orangey-brown color. So if the appearance of your > socks is a concern, take care to reduce contact with toes > that are freshly treated with SSKI. > > SSKI sometimes requires a prescription, but may be available > without one in some compounding pharmacies and health food > stores. > > ----------------------------- > Getting off on the right foot > ----------------------------- > > There are a couple of things you can do to help prevent > onychomycosis from ever getting started. If your feet are > regularly exposed to damp conditions, avoid using nail > polish, which can help trap moisture beneath the nails. > Keeping your feet clean and dry also helps, as does changing > your socks or hosiery daily. > > And by all means, at the first sign of toenail > discoloration, flaking or deterioration, begin treatment > immediately and you may avoid spending the next year with > your feet smelling like oregano. > > ************************************************************** > > .. and another thing > > When I sent you the recent e-Alert " Beef 'n' Butter " > (4/20/04), I told you I would keep an eye out for further > studies of the remarkable fatty acid called conjugated > linoleic acid (CLA). > > And I found one. But it's not in a medical journal, it's in > the The Coopers Town Crier - the local newspaper of > Cooperstown, New York. > > Erin Dauchy, a senior at Cooperstown High School, recently > won first place in the Junior Science and Humanities > Symposium (JSHS) for a study she conducted to test CLA on > breast cancer tumors. > > The manager of the Laboratory of Chrononeuroendrocrine > Oncology at the Bassett Healthcare Research Institute told > the Coopers Town Crier that Ms. Dauchy's > study, " demonstrated for the first time in human breast > tumors in vivo, that specific isomers of conjugated linoleic > acid... dramatically inhibited tumor growth and metabolism. " > > And that assessment was probably spoken with some amount of > pride, because it comes from Robert Dauchy, Erin's father. > > Since winning the JSHS competition, Erin's write up of her > study has been accepted for publication in the journal > Cancer Letters. She also presented her research at the > recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer > Research. > > Erin describes her study as the " first work of its kind " > conducted on a type of tumor that's proven unresponsive to > treatment. Unresponsive so far, anyway. Erin told the Crier > that she'd like to see her preliminary work followed up with > a clinical trial. > > Here's hoping it is, with many more to follow. What we need > is a whole generation of young researchers like Erin who > will explore natural ways to treat cancer and other > diseases. > > To Your Good Health, > > Jenny Thompson > Health Sciences Institute > > To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: > http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopya.html > Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to > receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. > > ************************************************************** > > Sources: > " Could one bottle in your medicine cabinet hold the healing > secrets for everything from cysts to toenail fungus? " > Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Nutrition & Healing Newsletter, > November 2002, wrightnewsletter.com > " Toe the Line " Amanda Ross, Health eTips, 1/30/03, > wrightnewsletter.com > " Dauchy's Cancer Research a Winner " Kelly Bruni, The Coopers > Town Crier, 4/8/04, coopercrier.com > > Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. > The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without > written permission. > > ************************************************************** > Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, > please visit here > http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html > > ************************************************************** > If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past > e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like > to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com > > > > > > > Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Sorry to plug a commercial product (don't know the ingredients), but VIck's Vaporub works if you simply apply it every night (also takes months, though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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