It is time again for “Ask the Doctor.” I particularly enjoy this monthly feature because it gives me an opportunity to answer your questions and help you on your path to health and wellness. 

If you have a question or health concern you would like me to address, please visit the Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page and send me a private message. Mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line.

Any Solutions for Toenail Fungus? 

I have a fungal infection on two of my toenails. It doesn’t hurt, but the nails are thick and discolored and look so bad that I am reluctant to wear sandals. Is there anything you could recommend for this? I have tried vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, and every antifungal ointment available, but nothing has helped. 

Fungal infections of the nails, officially called onychomycosis, are extremely common and notoriously hard to cure. Over-the-counter products that you apply to the nails are often ineffective, as you have experienced. Prescription topical antifungals work better but do not always eradicate the problem. 

That’s why I want to tell you about a specially compounded nail solution that many of our guests have had good success with. It contains the two most effective topical antifungal medications plus tea tree oil, a traditional remedy for fungal infections, and biotin, which helps with healthy nail growth. The “magic” of this solution is DMSO, which acts as a carrier to penetrate the nail and deliver the active ingredients deep into the nail where they are needed. 

It is not an overnight cure—there is no such thing for this condition. However, if you use it daily for several months, you have a good chance of getting rid of unsightly toenail fungus once and for all. You do have to be patient, especially if your big toenails are affected. It can take as long as a year for a nail to grow out and be replaced by a healthy new nail.

Oral antifungal drugs may also be indicated, and in severe cases, the infected nails may need to be surgically removed. Laser therapy is another option, although study results of its efficacy are mixed. I suggest you first try the DMSO nail solution, compounded by Physicians Preference Pharmacy. Talk to your doctor (it require a prescription) or call the pharmacy at 281-828-9088 to learn more. Let me how it works for you. 

I Am Nervous About Trying CBD. Is it Safe? 

A friend of mine uses CBD oil at bedtime and says it helps control the anxious thoughts that used to keep her awake at night. I have a similar problem and want to try it, but I am nervous because it comes from marijuana. I would appreciate your opinion on this. 

I’m glad you asked, because there is a lot of confusion about CBD and marijuana. To be clear, the CBD oils and other supplements on the market are from hemp, not marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are both cannabis plants, and all cannabis plants contain natural phytochemicals called cannabinoids. But where and how they are cultivated and used makes a tremendous difference. 

The flowers and leaves of marijuana plants contain relatively high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive cannabinoid that alters perception, attention, and behavior. Hemp contains only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%)—nowhere near enough to make you high. 

The main cannabinoid in hemp is cannabidiol (CBD). CBD supports your body’s own endocannabinoid system, which produces natural cannabinoids that influence everything from sleep, mood and emotions to immune function, inflammation, and pain perception. By balancing and enhancing this system, therapeutic doses of CBD from hemp have been shown to improve sleep, relieve anxiety, boost the immune response, and decrease pain and inflammation.

I have spent months studying this effective and versatile compound and often recommend it for the above conditions. Unfortunately, I have run across a lot of misinformation and ineffective products that contain only paltry amounts of CBD, so it is important that you do your homework before purchasing. Look for organic, full-spectrum hemp oil with a standardized level of CBD and purchase only from a trusted source. Quality products are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

If you would like to learn about or order the oral or topical CBD-rich full-spectrum hemp oil I recommend, call Hotze Vitamins at 800-579-6545.

Keep Your Questions Coming

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others who are dealing with these common problems. Keep your questions coming! Send me a private message on Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC/. Don’t forget to mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line. And remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question. 

To learn more about the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and schedule a Free Wellness Consultation—via telemedicine or at the Center—call us at 281-698-8698 or visit hotzehwc.com.