A podiatrist is a doctor of the foot and ankle who treats foot
and ankle conditions, including nail, skin, bone, tendon and diabetic
disorders. Podiatrists treat such disorders with surgery, prescription
medication, medicated creams and ointments (including Tripod Labs™
Athlete's Foot Cream, Advanced Moisturizing Formula, Nailstat™
Formula, Nailstat™ Polish, Plantarstat™ and Flexstat™),
custom-made orthotics (shoe-inserts), physical therapy, injections,
casting and braces.
What type of medical training do podiatrists have?
Podiatrists have similar academic and practical training as medical
doctors; they must complete four years of undergraduate college
and then four years of podiatric medical school, where they take
most of the same academic classes as other doctors except that they
study the foot and leg in greater detail. After podiatric medical
school, most podiatrists complete a residency program during which
they train at a hospital from one to three years and specialize
in surgery, medicine or orthopedics. Many podiatrists who have private
practices are also on staff at one or more hospitals in order to
care for patients who require hospitalization.
Do podiatrists treat young patients?
Podiatrists treat people of all ages - ranging from infants to
seniors.
What are typical foot and ankle conditions and disorders treated
by podiatrists?
Typical foot and ankle conditions and disorders treated by podiatrists
include general nail and skin care, topical fungus infections of
the skin (e.g., athlete's foot and ringworm), fungal infections
of the nail and nail bed, dry and cracked skin on the heels and
feet, muscle and joint pain in the feet, broken bones, sprains,
warts, ingrown toenails, infections, bunions, hammertoes and foot
conditions caused by diabetes. During office visits, many podiatrists
dispense to their patients skin and nail care products thought to
be effective in the treatment of such conditions. Tripod Labs™
products are carried and recommended by many podiatrists in their
private practices.
When should I see a podiatrist?
You should visit a podiatrist in order to prevent, treat or maintain
treatment for any type of foot or ankle problem.
What kind of podiatrist should I see?
Although most podiatrists treat all types of foot and ankle conditions,
some specialize in surgery, general medicine, sports injuries or
foot disorders related to diabetes.
What does it mean if a podiatrist is "board-certified"?
Most podiatrists obtain board certification in at least one area
of specialization, which means they have completed post-graduate
academic and/or practical training and passed examinations in such
specialty. Podiatrists can obtain board certification in specialties
such as foot and ankle surgery, orthopedics, and primary podiatric
medicine. If a podiatrist will be treating you for a specific foot
or ankle condition, you can ask if he or she is board certified
in the treatment of such condition.
A fungus is a living organism that thrives in dark, damp environments.
Fungal infections are very common in nails on both fingers and toes,
but toenails are more likely to be affected by fungus since it is
attracted to dark and damp environments more typical of the foot
than the hand. Affected nails have a yellowish or brownish discoloration
and may thicken or become brittle over time.
I often get a manicure and/or pedicure in a nail salon. How
can I prevent fungal infections in my finger and toenails?
We recommend that you bring your own clean instruments (including
emery boards or nail files) to a nail salon and ensure that they
are used by manicurists for you alone and not shared with any other
person. It is best if the instruments are sterilized between uses
at home and not at the salon in common containers. If you cannot
use your own instruments, you should ensure that the salon sterilizes
its instruments between uses, and you should always ensure that
items other than instruments used during a manicure or pedicure
such as sponges, nail brushes, pumice stones, bowls or dishes in
which you soak your nails, foot sinks and towels are cleaned properly
between uses. To prevent or treat fungal nail infections, you can
use Tripod Labs™ Nailstat™ nail polish as a clear polish
alone or under any colored nail polish as a base coat.
I have used several topical medications to treat a fungal infection
on my toenails and none of them work. Why is Tripod Labs™
Nailstat™ Formula different?
Tripod Labs™ Nailstat™ Formula is a unique two-step
process that allows the antifungal medicine to penetrate into the
nail to treat the fungus. In addition, we have included several
antifungal medicines, both herbal and traditional, into one product.
This allows our medicine to treat various types of fungus and yeast
that can cause an infection. Nailstat™ Formula was designed
and developed by podiatrists and tested by them in their offices
and has proven to be effective on their patients.
Why must I use any antifungal nail medicine for four months
to one year?
You must use any antifungal nail product for at least as long
as it takes for a new, healthy nail to grow, which is usually from
four months to one year. Otherwise the fungus will re-infect the
new, healthy nail.
Why is it so difficult to treat fungal infections in the toenails?
Fungus thrives in a dark, damp environment as is found once the
foot is placed in a sock or stocking and then in a shoe. Further,
nails affected by fungus often thicken, making it difficult for
the antifungal nail medicine to penetrate the source of the affected
area. That is why Tripod Labs™ Nailstat™ Formula uses
a unique two-step process, consisting first of an antifungal gel
that softens and increases the permeability of the nail and, second,
of a potent topical antifungal medicine.
I have been using Tripod Labs™ Nailstat™ Formula
to treat a nail fungus and my nail got loose and fell off. Is that
normal?
It is common for the affected nail to loosen or even fall off
when using Tripod Labs™ Nailstat™ Formula, especially
when the fungus affects most of the nail. This is a result of the
medication destroying the fungal elements that are infecting the
nail and nail bed. When you continue to use the Nailstat™ Formula,
a new healthy nail should grow back.
I have been hearing about news reports concerning oral antifungal
medications. Are they safe?
While oral antifungal medications can be effective in treating
certain fungal skin and nail conditions, there is no guarantee that
they will resolve a nail or skin condition or prevent recurrence
of such condition. Further, such oral treatments have potential
side effects, including reactions with other oral medications being
used by the patient and elevation of liver enzymes. For this reason,
our medical team at Tripod Labs™ recommends using our topical
antifungal program prior to or in connection with any oral antifungal
treatment.
How can I treat the dry, cracking skin on my heels and feet?
Dry, cracking skin on the heels and feet can be found when the
skin does not get enough hydration from the body. To prevent and
treat this condition, apply an effective moisturizing cream twice
daily. Tripod Labs™ Advanced Moisturizing Formula is a non-greasy,
rich moisturizing cream that is easily absorbed and contains an
assortment of herbal ingredients that provide an effective rehydrating
system. Apply the cream twice daily for soft, smooth, luxurious
feeling skin.
Is there anything I can do to enhance the results of the Tripod
Labs™ Advanced Moisturizing Formula?
For best results, use the cream twice daily, with the second application
before bedtime. After applying the cream at bedtime, apply a thin
plastic wrap to the affected area and cover the wrapped area with
a sock in order to allow the cream to penetrate deep into the affected
area and to prevent it from being wiped off. In the morning, remove
the sock and the plastic wrap and feel and see the difference!
Are all moisturizers the same?
No. Moisturizers come in many grades and have different active
ingredients. Tripod Labs™ Advanced Moisturizing Formula is
different from other moisturizers because it was developed by foot
doctors who selected the key moisturizing ingredients with which
they have had success, making their heavy moisturizing cream more
effective than other moisturizers on the market.
Why does my skin feel more dry and cracked in the wintertime?
During the winter the air is dryer and you probably drink fewer
fluids and dress in layers, making it harder for your skin to breathe
and stay hydrated.
Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that usually affects the
foot between toes or on the sole. It can cause cracking, burning,
itching, redness or scaling (dry peeling skin).
Is Athlete's Foot contagious?
Yes. Athlete's Foot is very easily spread from one person to another
in common wet areas such as common showers or swimming pools. This
fungus got its name because athletes who shower in common areas
such as locker rooms often spread the fungus to one another. To
prevent Athlete's Foot, always wear water shoes or other footgear
when swimming or bathing in common areas.
I get Athlete's Foot often and sometimes the medicine that
has worked in the past no longer works. What can I do?
Athlete's Foot is caused by a combination of funguses that often
recur in the same person, especially since such funguses often become
resistant to medicine after repeated use. It is best to use different
medicines to treat recurring Athlete's Foot infections. Tripod Labs™
Athlete's Foot Cream is especially effective because it contains
several antifungal herbs and medicines, which provide broad treatment
coverage and make it harder for the fungus to build up a "resistance"
to treatment. Further, Tripod Labs™ Athlete's Foot Cream remains
in the skin for a period of time after application to help prevent
immediate reinfection.
Can Athlete's Foot infections require antibiotics for treatment?
Although Athlete's Foot is a fungus, and not a bacterial infection
treatable with antibiotics, it can cause the skin to crack, allowing
a bacterial infection to start. Such bacterial infections can be
treated with antibiotics.
A common wart is a skin lesion caused by a viral infection anywhere
on the body except on the bottom of the foot. Warts appearing
on the bottom of the foot are known as plantar warts.
Where do warts come from?
Warts can be caused by internal factors, such as low resistance
and weak immune system, and by external factors such as a break
in the skin caused by a foreign body or exposure to the virus when
skin contacts public areas.
I have used other products with Salicylic Acid and they did
not work. Why will your medicine work?
In addition to Salicylic Acid, Plantarstat™ also contains
Retinoic Acid, Cimetidine and powerful herbal antiviral ingredients
such as Mandrake Root and Sanguinaria Canadensis. It is the combination
of these ingredients with the Salicylic Acid that make our formula
different.
Can warts spread?
While not proven, plantar and common warts are likely to spread
from person to person and can spread in the same person. Therefore,
treatment should begin at the first sign of a wart and you should
avoid walking barefoot outdoors as well as in indoor public places,
especially in common wet areas such as pools and showers.
What is the difference between a wart and a callus?
A wart is virus infection of the skin that can have a cauliflower-like
appearance. A callus is thickened skin due to friction or pressure.
Their appearances are very similar but there are some differences.
A wart is painful when you squeeze it from side to side and a callus
can be painful when you apply direct pressure over the area. Also,
a callus has skin lines (the lines that make up a fingerprint on
your hand) that run through it and in a wart the skin lines stop
at the wart and then continue after the wart.
Why is Flexstat™ better than other similar products I have
used to treat muscle and joint pain in the heels and feet?
Flexstat™ combines a unique blend of traditional medicines
with the purest anti-inflammatory herbal remedies such as DMSO,
MSM, Eucalyptus Oil, Vitamin E and Menthol. These combinations of
ingredients make Flexstat™ much more effective than other topical
pain relievers.
Will Flexstat™ help the general foot pain I have at the
end of the day?
Yes. General foot pain at the end of the day is a result of overuse,
micro injuries and fatiguing and can cause muscle and joint pain
that is effectively treated by Flexstat™.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a bone deformity that affects the joint behind the
big toe. It often causes the big toe to shift over on top of the
second toe. A bunion can cause an irritation from a shoe and an
inflamed joint, causing pain that can be treated with Flexstat™.
What is a hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a contracted or bent toe caused by foot biomechanics
such as flat feet or high-arched feet. An inflamed joint or
bursa associated with hammertoes can cause pain that can be treated
with Flexstat™.
Why do my heels hurt when I get up after I rest?
Sudden bursts of motion without prior stretching after rest can
overstretch the tendon that is attached to the heel, also known
as plantar fascia. This condition, often called plantar fasciitis
or heel spur/pain syndrome, can be treated with Flexstat™.
Why do the balls of my feet hurt at the end of the day?
The balls of the feet, also known as the metatarsals, often bear
excessive weight pressure during walking or exercising. It is common
for the joints that surround the metatarsals to become painful and
inflamed. This pain can be treated with Flexstat™.
What can I do to treat the arthritis in my feet?
Arthritis is a term used to describe many types of inflammatory
conditions of the joint, bone or cartilage. This condition
limits range of motion and causes pain that can be treated with
Flexstat™.
What is Achilles tendonitis and shin splints?
Achilles tendonitis and shin splints are soft tissue inflammations
that affect the lower leg. These conditions are often caused
by foot biomechanics. The pain associated with these conditions
can be treated with Flexstat™.
If my feet are just sore, can I use your Flexstat™ cream?
Using Flexstat™ is an excellent way to treat sore feet.
We also recommend (i) wearing appropriate, supportive and properly
fitting shoes, especially while exercising, (ii) stretching before
and after exercising and (iii) not exercising through pain.
Yes. Herbal products have been used for centuries and have been
effective in treating many health-related conditions. The Asian
communities still use herbal products as their main source of medicine.
We at Tripod Labs™ took some of these known herbal medicines
and combined them with traditional medicines to maximize their powers.
Why did Tripod Labs™ combine herbal products with non-herbal
products?
We at Tripod Labs™ have found that by combining herbal ingredients
with the traditional medicines, we have been able to develop a new
product that is better than either one when used alone. Many have
tried with little success to use either herbal remedies or traditional
medicines alone, but we have had tremendous success by combining
the two treatment philosophies to create a new line of safe, effective
products.
Are herbal products safe?
Yes, the Eastern communities have been using herbal remedies for
hundreds of years with great success. Before our products became
available to the public, they were tested and have been proven to
be safe.
Is it true that Tea Tree Oil, Garlic, Oregano and Sunflower
Seed Oil help treat fungus?
Yes. The eastern communities have been using these herbs successfully
to treat fungus for hundreds of years. Tripod Labs™ has used
these herbs and several others (e.g., Wild Marjoram, Lavender and
Tannic Acid) in its fungus, nail and skincare products.
