What is Covid-19 safe
During this pandemic our goal is to keep you and our staff safe. We follow the CDC guidelines and NY DOH recommendations. We come to your home and screen for Covid VIA THE PHONE. Our goal is to keep everyone safe. We wear gloves to provide hands on foot care, and disinfect our equipment. We wash our hands constantly. Your safety is our number 1 priority. A fall that is related to you feet not working well is avoidable with good foot care, which is why we have worked diligently and safely throughout this pandemic.
Why not a pedicure?
A pedicure is a beauty product that often feels good. If you are in good health that is one thing, but calluses, corns, thick nails, peeling skin and pain in feet are actually not normal and may be indicative of other problems. A pedicure will gloss over these issues. A session with us will also leave your feet feeling great and looking good, but you will walk out of a session having received person centered care and with a lot more knowledge about how to prevent problems and pain from happening.
How does FootCare by Nurses compare to Podiatry?
Podiatrists are medical doctors whose responsibility is to diagnose and fix problems. They recommend treatments and do procedures. We are licensed Nurses, with extensive training in foot care and our responsibility is to prevent problems from happening. There is some overlap. We use practice standards and evidence garnered from a multitude of disciplines to guide our practice. We complete lower limb assessments, assess shoes and socks and gait, trim toenails, reduce toenail thickness, reduce calluses, remove corns, address fungal toenails and skin issues, help with edema control, perform a circulation-enhancing massage, reset balance and fit some shoes for diabetics and hard to fit feet. We also provide a lot of education. We are after all in the prevention business. We do not diagnose, do surgery, or prescribe. We do work closely with MDs, DPMS, Physical therapists and pedorthists in the area and we are not afraid to pick up the phone and advocate for the needs of our patients.
Payment and Do you take insurance?
Payment is expected at time of service (cash, check, credit card). By special arrangement we can also invoice. We do not take insurance directly but our service may be reimbursable. We are also contracted through several Elder services agencies (ask for a referral from your case manager)
Do you cut fingernails too?
Yes
How often should I have foot care?Most clients require foot care about every six weeks although how quickly toenails grow is very individual and some clients may only need foot care every two months. Individuals with calluses and corns usually require foot care every four to six weeks as calluses and corns have a tendency to return. Who gets nail fungus infections?Nail fungus infections are more common in men than women and in the elderly than the young. Additional traits or factors that raise one’s risk of nail fungal infection include the following:
- Diminished blood circulation
- Slow growing nails
- A family history of fungal infection (genetics)
- Heavy perspiration
- Humid or moist work environment
- Wearing socks and shoes that prevent ventilation
- Walking barefoot in damp public places (swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms)
- Previous injury or infection to the skin or nail
- Diabetes, AIDS, circulation problems, a weakened immune system
- Tight footwear with crowding of toes
- Exercise that causes repeated minor trauma to the hyponychium
- (where the finger tip attaches to the nail)
What causes nail fungus infections?
Nail fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms called fungi that do not require sunlight to survive. Most commonly, a group of fungi called dermatophytes (such as Candida) is responsible for nail fungal infections. However, some yeasts and molds also cause these infections. Pathogens that cause nail fungus infection usually enter the skin through tiny cuts or small separations between the nail and nail bed. The fungi grow when the nail provides a suitably warm and moist environment.
What nail fungus treatments are there?
Treating nail fungus infections can be a long and expensive process. There are oral antifungal medications, topical ointments, and alternative therapies. Over-the-counter creams and ointments are available, but they have not proved very effective. Oral medications for nail fungus infection include Itraconazole (Sporanox), Fluconazole (Diflucan), and Terbinafine (Lamisil), which typically take up to four months before fully replacing the infected nail with uninfected nail. Topical nail fungus treatments include antifungal lacquer or nail polish such as ciclopirox (Penlac) in addition to other creams. Use of topical remedies can clear nail fungal infections, but often does not completely cure the infection. Alternative medicines used to treat nail fungal infections include Australian tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of these products. Laser treatments for toenail fungus are also available, however their effectiveness is highly controversial. The foot care nurse treats fungal toenails by E-filing the thickness of the nail and by removing as much of the fungal nail as possible. By reducing the thickness of the nail, the nail becomes more porous and will breathe better thereby providing an unfavorable environment for fungus. (Fungi do not like air). After thorough debridement the nails will often grow back much cleaner depending on how advanced the fungal infection is.
Your Feet Need 