April 14, 2005, Columbia, MD -- Citing the health risk of nail fungus to
the growing population of runners in the U.S., the Road Runners Club of
America (RRCA) has launched "Best Feet Forward," a nationwide, year-long
campaign to educate America's 10.4 million runners about the prevention
and treatment of this progressive and potentially serious infection.
The "Best Feet Forward" program was kicked off at the 20th Los Angeles
Marathon with the unveiling of the "Toe Truck," sponsored by Penlac(r)
Nail Lacquer (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%. The campaign will roll
out to 21 marathons and other major running events throughout the
country in 2005. The Penlac(r) "Toe Truck," a key part of this fun and
energetic mobile health education program, will travel to most of these
events to provide runners and their families with free foot screenings
by local podiatrists as well as information about foot and nail care.
The health education initiative is supported by Dermik Laboratories.
"Nail fungus is an important health and foot care issue for runners, and
the 'Best Feet Forward' campaign is consistent with our mission to
promote education and wellness among the running population," said Becky
Lambros, Executive Director of RRCA. "We encourage runners and their
families to take advantage of the free foot screenings that will take
place at major road races throughout the U.S. this year. Look for the
'Toe Truck' to come to your city."
Runners, and in fact all exercise enthusiasts, are at risk of developing
nail fungus because of the following risk factors, which are common to
the running population:
* Nail trauma associated with running can make the nail bed more
susceptible to fungal growth.
* Sweaty socks and tight athletic shoes promote a warm, moist
environment that can contribute to the growth of the fungus.
* Because nail fungus is contagious, warm, moist environments such
as communal showers and gym locker rooms are places where the fungus can
be contracted.
"The sweaty socks and shoes that runners consistently wear may be
breeding grounds for the fungi that cause this unsightly and potentially
painful infection," said John Mozena, DPM, podiatrist and marathon
runner. "Because nail fungus can seriously impact your running as well
as your general foot health, we urge runners to practice prevention and
seek medical care at the first sign of the problem."
About nail fungus
Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a persistent fungal
infection of the nails that affects approximately 35 million Americans.
Nail fungus occurs when fungi called dermatophytes, usually Trichophyton
rubrum, invade the nail. The incidence of nail fungus increases with age
and is higher in men, but it can affect people of any age or gender.
The symptoms of nail fungus include changes in color and thickness of
the nail. As the disease progresses, the nail thickens and causes
pressure, especially when shoes are worn. People with nail fungus may
have difficulty wearing shoes which can make it difficult to perform
such activities as running and walking. Since the appearance of the nail
may be embarrassing to people who suffer from this disease, they may
avoid recreational activities that require taking off their shoes and
socks.
Risk factors and prevention
Runners may have an increased risk of getting infected with nail fungus
because of a greater exposure to specific risk factors, such as walking
barefoot in contaminated areas (locker rooms and communal showers),
exercising and wearing sweaty athletic socks. In order to prevent nail
fungus, people can take the following measures:
* Wash and dry feet daily.
* Wear socks that absorb moisture.
* Make sure shoes are completely dry before putting them on.
* Do not wear tight shoes or the same pair of shoes every day;
train in sneakers made of materials that breathe.
* Inspect feet regularly and have a doctor check for nail fungus
and other running-related foot ailments during office visits.
* Wear shower shoes or flip-flops if possible when showering in
public areas.
* Don't apply nail polish to nails that are suspected of
infection.
Diagnosis and treatment
If a person develops a fungal nail infection, an appropriate diagnosis
is key for treatment. There are some physical signs that help medical
professionals determine if a nail condition is due to fungi or some
other problem. Because the fungus can invade the nail and spread, it is
important to stop the progression of the disease at the first symptoms
of infection. The successful treatment of nail fungus does not happen
overnight, especially considering that the nails, particularly toenails,
grow slowly. No matter which treatment is used, it can take about six
months for fingernails to grow out and up to a year or more for
toenails.
Effective treatments for nail fungus, including both oral and topical
medications, are available by prescription. People should visit their
doctor and find out what treatment is most appropriate for them.
About Penlac(r)
Penlac(r), the first and only topical treatment for nail fungus approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, may be a treatment option. It
is brushed on the nail with convenient once a day dosing and has been
proven safe and effective in clinical studies. Penlac(r) is a topical
prescription for mild to moderate fungal nail infections. Regular visits
to your health care professional for the removal of unattached, infected
nails may be required. If you have diabetes, it is important to talk to
your health care professional about nail care. The most common side
effects are redness around nails, nail shape change, irritation, ingrown
toenail and discoloration. For additional information on this treatment
or on nail fungus, please log on to www.Penlac.com.
About the RRCA
Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is one of the
largest grassroots running organizations in America. The RRCA is a
national, non-profit organization of more than 670 running clubs and
160,000 members dedicated to promoting long distance running as a
competitive sport and healthful exercise. RRCA clubs organize races,
training runs and social programs; promote children's and masters'
fitness running programs; and provide safety guidelines. For more
information on the RRCA, visit www.rrca.org.
The Road Runners Club of America does not explicitly or implicitly
endorse any product for treatment of nail fungus.
