PRArticles
PRToday
Publicity tips that can help you increase your sales leads
PowerPR: Articles
Silver Threads—A New Option for Treating Recurrent Tinea Pedis and Bromhidrosis
Date: 06/28/2005
While no "silver bullet" really exists to completely and permanently alleviate every patient's symptoms of itching and malodorous feet, medical specialists that treat these ailments now have a new tool to add to their arsenal of treatment modalities. The introduction of silver-impregnated fibers woven into an OTC insole presents a means to control tinea pedis infections and bromhidrosis, because of the antifungal and antibacterial properties of silver. This non-medicinal, inexpensive option frees the practitioner from writing refills for prescription antifungals, while offering a high degree of patient compliance.
A recurring challenge
Whether podiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, dermatologist, family practitioner, or sports-medicine specialist, any clinician who routinely deals with foot complaints will often encounter patients who endure recalcitrant symptoms of "itching and smelly" feet. In some cases, a single course of an antifungal agent usually resolves the complaint. Yet, only too often do some of these patients return to the office time after time with an apparently perennial crop of tinea. For those with a genetic predisposition for hyperhidrosis, recurrent bouts of "athletes feet" can continue well into the sixth and seventh decade of life.
Despite a wide choice of antimicrobials, few seem to solve the problem in the long run. At such point, the clinician must resort to palliation. Traditional modalities include foot powders, foot soaks, and changes in shoe gear and hosiery. Yet, all of these require a high degree of patient compliance—not easily achieved given the recurrent demands. Even threats regarding the dire consequences (in the case of diabetic patients) of ignoring the presence of resident bacterial colonies usually fail to motivate patients to do anything beyond occasionally applying a topical medicine or taking a pill. Patients prefer a quick, inexpensive, no-hassle solution.
Silver—a proven approach
From a purely historical perspective, the use of silver as an antimicrobial hardly qualifies as being new. The Romans were the first to publish and document the healing effects of silver, and the Persian armies of King Cyrus the Great carried water in silver vessels to keep it clean and safe in the fifth century BC. Western medicine has recognized silver as an effective antimicrobial agent since the turn of the nineteenth century when silver foil was used as a wound dressing.
Today, silver is used for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties in healthcare products ranging from bandages to burn care balms and catheters—anywhere where infection control is critical. Silver is also widely used in drinking water filters and swimming pool filtration systems.
In order to enlist the benefits of silver for today's podiatric purposes, Noble Fiber Technologies, Inc. of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, developed a process in which a layer of pure silver is irreversibly bound to a textile so that it becomes a physical part of the fiber. Trademarked under the name of X-Static®, the silver-layered fiber retains its traditional textile and tactile characteristics so that it can be used in knits, weaves, or as spun yarn.
A potent antimicrobial
Through independent, third- party testing by a NATO agency (1), the anti-fungal effectiveness of X-Static was clearly demonstrated, specifically against T. mentagrophytes. Clinical trials in Japan (2) also proved a dramatic reduction in fungal and bacterial counts, resulting in the Japanese Ministry of Health's approval of X-Static fibers as an antimicrobial agent.
Within the U.S., additional testing has yielded similar outcomes. In one case(3) the efficacy of X-Static was proven more bactericidal than silver nitrate, and in a later study (4) this silver-layered fabric was shown to be effective in killing multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Of particular importance within a clinical setting, one study (5) showed that the presence of silver in the shoes of tested volunteers greatly diminished the total count of microorganisms and their associated odors—substantiating the mechanism behind silver's effectiveness against bromhidrosis.
For all its toxicity against both bacteria and fungi, bio-compatibility data (6) suggest that X-Static sutures implanted within the body cause less of an inflammatory reaction than that of ordinary nylon sutures.
X-Static is now registered as an antimicrobial with the EPA, and is found in many FDA approved products. In contrast to the short-lived effectiveness of approved topical antibiotics, the antimicrobial properties of silver fibers do not diminish over time. The X-Static fiber has been tested through more than 250 washes with virtually no reduction in performance.
OTC availability of silver fibers
Evansville, Indiana-based Riecken’s Orthotic Laboratories, a major provider of custom shoe inserts, has been one of the first to offer X-Static impregnated insoles—under the name of Riecken’s Athletic Replacement Insoles®—on a widely available, retail basis.
Comprising three separate layers, the X-Static fiber layer covers the superior surface of the insole to a depth of 1/32 inches. This layer is then bonded to a 1/16-inch layer of neoprene foam. Below follows a proprietary visco-elastic gel liner that reduces the shock and shear forces of ambulation. The gel is 1/8" thick at the ball of the foot and ¼" thick at the heel, and the pattern within the transverse plane incorporates a medial and lateral flange that forms a cradle for the navicular and cuboid.
Available in a range of standard men's and women's sizes, these inserts fit within any shoe where the existing insole can be removed. In the case of extra-depth footwear—as worn by some diabetics, for instance—the insole can be easily placed within the shoe without further adjustment such as skiving.
A new option within the clinic
While not indicated for acute tinea pedis or bacterial infections, the recent availability of silver threads within readily available OTC insoles provides the practitioner with a new, proven option in controlling low-grade recurrent tinea and/or bromhidrosis that is popular with patients because of its ease of use and inexpensive cost.
Contact Riecken’s Orthotic Labs at (812) 476-8006 or www.footcomfortworld.com.
###
By Dr. David Rizzo
Based in Fullerton, California, David Rizzo, D.P.M. With a bachelors degree in basic medical science and a doctorate in podiatric medicine, Rizzo is well versed in public health and medical issues.
References
1. NATO Maintenance & Supply Agency
2. Dr. Seiki Tazume, Dr. Takahiko Yoshida; Tokai University, Japan; May 1997.
3. Silver-Coated Nylon Fiber as an Antibacterial Agent"; American Society of
Microbiology; Pennsylvania State University 1987.
4. Dr. Philip Tierno; New York University; September 7, 1997.
5. "Effect of Silver Coated Thread on the Microbial Population of Shoes;" Pennsylvania
State University; 1987.
6."Newly Made Antibacterial Braided Sutures;" Cornell University; 1987.
For more information regarding our marketing publicity services or any sales questions please contact John Elliott.
To view our current job listings go here: jobs.
For information regarding using articles from our news section, editor request and the like, please contact press.