Dr Scholl's

Active Ingredient

A chemical substance in a drug that provides medical relief for a specific symptom.

Antifungal

A drug active ingredient that is destructive to fungi by suppressing their reproduction or growth; effective against fungal infections; antifungals can be fungicidal (destroy/kill fungus) or fungistatic (inhibit growth of fungus).

APMA

American Podiatric Medical Association.

Arthritis

An inflammatory condition that affects joints. Can be caused by infection, autoimmune disease or trauma.

Athlete's Foot

A fungal infection of the feet and/or toes. Can occur in athletes and non-athletes. Also, see Tinea Pedis.

Bacteria

Microscopic organisms that cause bacterial infections.

Biomechanical

The mechanical basis of biological, especially muscular, activity and the principles and relations involved.

Blister

A vesicle (a small sac-like protrusion containing liquid) of the skin containing watery matter or serum caused by a burn or another injury (e.g. friction).

Brannock Gauge

A mechanical device used to measure the length and width of feet.

Bromidrosis

A condition that causes foul-smelling perspiration (smelly feet).

Bunion

An inflamed swelling of the small sac on the first joint of the big toe. The sac is filled with synovial fluid that cushions all joints.

Butenafine

An active drug ingredient that prevents fungus from making a key fungal substance (called ergosterol) that the fungus needs to build its cell wall (fungistatic). Butenafine also causes a buildup of squalene, which is toxic and causes the fungal cell to die (fungicidal).

Capillary Dilation

When small or minute blood vessels (capillaries) are dilated beyond their normal dimensions.

Callus

Similar to a corn but larger, rougher and has no central core; usually forms on the heel or sole of the foot and may start out as a blister.

Cell Differentiation

In the epidermis, cell differentiation refers to the process whereby "generalist" cells in the lowest layers of the epidermis (basal layer) change into different cells capable of "specific" or different functions.

Cervical Spine see Spine

Clinical Studies

A clinical study or trial is an investigation in human subjects intended to evaluate the safety and/or efficacy of a product. Data from clinical studies are used to support claims regarding product performance.

Clotrimazole

An active drug ingredient that acts by inhibiting the creation of certain molecules essential for the fungus to form its cell walls (fungistatic). Damaging the fungal cell wall results in its death (fungicidal action).

Corn

Raised circular bumps with a core of hard or soft tissue; usually found on toes, caused by repeated friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas or against an irregularity in a shoe.

Cryotherapy

In general, cryotherapy is the use of very low temperatures for medical treatment. Specifically, cryotherapy involves the localized application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue such as warts.

Dermatophyte

A fungus type that causes athlete's foot.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to produce insulin, resulting in high blood sugar. One of the complications associated with the disease is poor wound healing, particularly in the feet.

Dr. Scholl

William Mathias Scholl, M.D. founded the Chicago, Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1912. The Dr. Scholl Brand carries on his legacy of podiatric research by leading the way in developing innovative new products to care for the feet.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It is composed of cells of two origins; those in the lower layers that produce melanin, and those in the upper layers that keratinize and are eventually sloughed off by exfoliation.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation refers to the process of cell turnover on the skin surface. As dead skin cells are removed from the surface by physical or chemical agents (exfoliants), they reveal new cells, resulting in a smoothing of the texture of the skin.

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is a federal regulatory agency and the body that determines the safety and effectiveness of all food, food additives, prescription and non-prescription (OTC) drugs, devices and cosmetics.

FTC

The Federal Trade Commission enforces federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. It monitors the marketplace by eliminating acts or practices that are considered unfair or deceptive.

Fungicidal

The act of destroying/killing a fungus.

Fungistatic

The act of inhibiting the growth of a fungus.

Fungus

A general term referring to a class of organisms that include mold, athlete's foot fungus and yeast that have rigid cell walls.

Gait

A manner of walking or moving on foot.

Hammer Toe

A deformity of the toe in which the toe is bent upward like a claw; often occurs on the second toe.

Heel Spur

A heel spur appears in an x-ray as a spike shaped calcification adjacent to the heel bone. The often painful condition is a result of inflammation associated with the plantar fascia.

Hyperextension

Hyperextension occurs when a part of the body is overstretched at the joint resulting in an increase in the angle between the bone and joints.

Hyperflexion

Too much downward bend so that the angle between the bones of a joint is smaller than normal.

Hyperkeratosis

Increased differentiation of epidermal cells into keratinocytes. This could occur if a part of the skin is rubbed for a long period of time. The resulting callus is caused by a rapid increase in the production of keratinocytes. Hyperkeratosis can also result from disease states such as in psoriasis.

Inflammation

A local response to cellular injury that is marked by capillary dilation, leukocytic infiltration, redness, heat, pain, swelling and often loss of function. It also serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious agents and of damaged tissue.

Ingrown Toenail

Nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness and swelling; caused by improperly trimmed nails.

Insole

Apparatus placed in shoes to provide cushioning, support and, in some circumstances, pain relief.

Insulin

A substance made in the pancreas that is essential for the body to properly use carbohydrates (sugars), lipids and proteins. It regulates blood sugar levels by helping tissues to consume sugar into their cells (called "glucose uptake") or by turning excess glucose into glycogen and other compounds (fatty acids, triglycerides) that store glucose and help to reduce the release of glucose from the liver. When insulin production is low it results in diabetes mellitus.

Interdigital

Between the toes, as in interdigital tinea pedis.

Jock Itch

A fungal infection of the groin area.

Keratin

A protein that is a primary component of hair, nails and skin.

Keratinocytes

Epidermal cells that make keratin. These cells change (differentiate) as they move upward from the bottom (basal) layers of the epidermis to the skin surface.

Leukocyte Infiltration

Leukocytes are also called white blood cells. During injury these cells move or infiltrate the injured tissue to begin the repair process.

Ligament

A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage, serving to support and strengthen joints.

Lumbar

Lower back—the part of the back between the pelvis and the thorax.

Lumbar Area see Spine.

Metatarsus

The part of the foot between the ankle and the toes. The five bones in this section of the foot are called the metatarsals.

Miconazole Nitrate

The active ingredient in sprays and powder products. This ingredient, like clotrimazole, acts by preventing the creation of certain molecules essential to forming formal fungal cell walls, thus damaging the fungal cell wall and causing it to die.

Monograph

A legal document prepared by the FDA that outlines specific diseases, conditions and symptoms that are considered appropriate for treatment by non-prescription medicines. The active ingredients and their dosage regimen are also specifically noted in a monograph. A monograph also dictates what the labels of OTC medicine may contain. The FDA, the FTC or a competitor may challenge claims made by products that are not consistent with the monograph.

NATA

National Athletic Trainers Association.

NDA

New Drug Application. A large document that contains all required data on the safety and efficacy of a new drug product. The NDA must be submitted to the FDA for approval before the product can be sold in the U.S.

Non-Active Ingredient

Aids in delivery of relief, helps maintain color, form and shelf stability.

Onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails.

Orthopedist

An orthopedic surgeon who prevents, cures or remedies deformities of the musculoskeletal system.

Overpronation

A condition that occurs when improperly supported arches flatten, causing the feet to become unstable and roll inward and downward more than normal.

Papillomavirus

The virus that causes warts, including genital warts.

Phalanges

Miniature long bones of the fingers and toes. Two bones in thumb and great toe, three in each of the other fingers and toes.

Plantar

The sole of the foot.

Plantar Fascia

The "bowstring-like" tissue stretching from the heel underneath the sole.

Plantar Fasciitis

Inflammation of the bowstring-like tissue stretching underneath the sole that attaches at the heel.

Podiatrist

A medical professional in podiatry (the specialized field of dealing with the study and care of the foot).

Polymer

A complex molecule composed of several smaller parts (monomers).

Pronation

The act of turning the bottom (sole) surface of the forefoot downward, as in running and walking.

Ringworm

A fungal skin infection; causes a scaly, red-shaped ring on the skin.

Sacral Area see Spine.

Salicylic Acid

The active ingredient in Dr. Scholl's corn, callus and bunion removers; not a caustic acid; it decreases keratinocyte adhesion and increases water-binding, causing the corn, callus or bunion to slough off.

Shin Splints

Microtears in the anterior (front) calf muscles and Achilles tendon pulls, which occur in the posterior (rear) calf muscles.

Skeletal Muscle

Muscle tissue that is made up of long fibers and that is connected to bone joints by ligaments. These muscles are also called Voluntary muscles, because they respond to conscious thought, unlike involuntary muscles, which work whether we are conscious or unconscious.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda; used in several Dr. Scholl's foot powders to help absorb odor and wetness.

Spine

Also called the backbone, it is the column of bone that supports the human frame. The backbone has 33 bony segments called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other. The spine is divided into four parts:

• the cervical spine, the neck area;
• the thoracic spine, the middle of the back;
• the lumbar area, the lower area of the back; and
• the sacral area, the lower-most portion of the back

Sprain

A sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint, causing the stretching or tearing of ligaments. There may be damage to blood vessels with hemorrhage (clotting) into the surrounding tissue.

Strain

A stretching or tearing injury to skeletal muscle.

Stratum Corneum

The most exterior, outer-most layer of epidermis, comprised of dead skin cells. This topmost layer of the skin is also called the cornified or horny layer.

Stress Fracture

An incomplete crack in the bone, caused by overuse, which can cause severe pain.

Tendon

A fibrous, strong, connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. Damage to a tendon can result in the inability to flex or extend at a joint.

Thorax

The chest. The part of the body between the neck and the diaphragm. see Spine.

Thoracic Spine see Spine.

Tinea Capitis

A fungal infection of the hair and scalp.

Tinea Corporis

A fungal infection sometimes referred to as ringworm.

Tinea Pedis

Athlete's foot infection.

Tolnaftate

It is believed to distort the fungus shape and growth; thought to be both fungistatic and fungicidal.

Trauma

An injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by a specific action. For example, the abdominal organs at greatest risk to athletic trauma are the spleen, pancreas and kidney.

Vesicle

A small sac-like protrusion containing liquid.

Virus

Small, intracellular parasite organisms that can cause disease.

Wart

An infection caused by the wart virus (Papillomavirus).