Dr. Wacky's Glossary

Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin disease usually occurring between the toes. Funguses thrive in warm, damp, dark, humid environments, such as those found in and around locker rooms, swimming pools, showers, etc. Simply wearing shoes and socks can also create the perfect environment for this fungal condition.

Signs of Athlete’s foot include dry skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters, which may lead to cracking. Besides being found between the toes, Athlete’s foot may spread to the soles and the toenails, and actually to other parts of the body, such as the groin and underarms.

Cold Sores / Fever Blisters

These blister-like eruptions, usually on and around the lips, are caused by a Herpes virus. The virus resides in the ganglia of the 5th cranial nerve and ‘travels’ to the site of eruption when a person is under stress, etc. Even though the original problem is viral, there may often be a secondary bacterial infection associated with the lesion. In most cases, the cold sore may last anywhere from several days to a week or more, with or without treatment. Treatment should be aimed at both anti-viral and anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory.

Diabetic Sores or Ulcers

One of the conditions caused by diabetes is poor circulation, particularly in the extremities. Because of this, healing may be hindered and ulcers, similar to bedsores, may occur. Healing takes longer and scarring may occur when the wounds finally do heal. A secondary bacterial and/or fungal infection may also be associated with these ulcers/sores.

Eczema

This is a general term encompassing a variety of inflamed skin conditions, with the most common one being atopic dermatitis. Like psoriasis, eczema appears to be an abnormal response of the body's immune system. The inflammatory response usually manifests as excessive itching and scratching. It is non-contagious, and, unfortunately, cannot be cured. Man environmental issues can trigger eczema, especially on those very sensitive people. Dryness, sweating, overheating, increased stress, harsh soaps and detergents, etc. can cause outbreaks.

As with psoriasis, there may be an underlying bacterial and/or fungal dermatitis associated with the itching and scaling, often times made worse by scratching and irritation.

Psoriasis

A non-contagious genetic skin disease that is immune-mediated. The cause is most likely a 'problem' in the immune system which mistakenly speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body surface in approximately 1 month, but a psoriatic cell only takes 3 to 4 days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of shedding, the psoriasis cells pile up on the surface of the skin and form the silvery white scaly lesions.

Secondarily, there may be an underlying bacterial and/or fungal dermatitis associated with the psoriasis plaques that needs to be treated as well as the itching and scaling.

Toenail Fungus (Onchomycosis)

Fungal infection that is seated deep in the layers of the toenail, and fingernail, and sometimes within the nail bed. The fungal organism thrives in dark and damp environments, and can cause yellowish to brownish discoloration, thickening, brittleness and destruction of the affected nail, and sometimes the underlying nail bed. If left totally unchecked, it can cause more serious damage to the toe or finger, and is quite often painful, as well as being very unsightly.