Peep-toe Shoes Expose Pop-Star’s Unsightly Toes
posted: Dec. 21, 2015.
Back in the 1980s, Madonna was the Queen of Pop and a trailblazer of extraordinary fashion. Despite now being in her early 50s, she is still in good shape, which is more than can be said for her feet. When she launched her perfume, “Truth or Dare” a couple of years ago, photographers captured images of unsightly toenails, exposed by her peep-toe shoes, which were in need of attention.
Although we know nobody’s perfect, as the article by dailymail.co.uk pointed out, “Surely she can afford a Pedicurist.” But a Pedicurist may not have been the answer; in fact, this may have been the cause of what appeared to be fungal nails.
Pros and Cons of Nail Salons
Sitting in a massage chair while soaking your feet in a warm spa bath may be your idea of heaven, but stop and think about all the other feet that have soaked in that bath before yours. Fungal spores thrive in warm moist environments and may linger in and around the water jets even if the bath has been cleaned. Sometimes Pedicurists can be overzealous with the nail clippers and many are known to clip thickened cuticles; both these actions can result in minor injury to the skin around the nail. While your feet are soaking, the fungal spores may be taking up residence in your nails.
Signs and Symptoms of Fungal Nails
Commonly, white or yellow patches or streaks may show up on the nail and the nail may have an odor, become flaky, brittle or thickened. Sometimes, the nail may lift away from the nail bed or be lost altogether. A visit to a Podiatrist, like Sheldon H. Nadal D.P.M. in Toronto, will confirm the diagnosis and he will suggest a treatment plan.
Treatment Options
Over-the-counter topical solutions and ointments are not generally very effective. Prescription anti-fungal medication is more effective but may cause liver problems in some patients. This treatment takes about a year and the relapse rate is about 15 percent. Another option is laser treatment which received FDA approval about four years ago. Laser therapy uses infra-red light to inactivate the fungus. No anaesthetic is required and preliminary studies indicate a 75-80 percent success rate.
Resources:
http://www.healthline.com/health/fungal-nail-infection#Prevention7