Why “Sandal Season” Actually Begins in December
(And How to Tell Your Patients)
It happens every year:
The weather warms up, patients pull their sandals out of the closet…and suddenly, your phone rings off the hook. They have a beach vacation in two weeks, and they want their thick, discolored fungal nails to look picture-perfect by the time they hit the sand.
As a physician, you know the biological reality makes this impossible. Onychomycosis is notoriously stubborn, and toenails grow painfully slowly. But while you can’t speed up biology, you can change the conversation.
The secret to happy patients in July is a proactive conversation in December, and in this blog, The Tetra Corporation will walk you through the process!
The “Winter Window” Strategy
For many patients, winter is a time of “out of sight, out of mind” regarding their feet. They hide their toes in heavy wool socks and boots, creating a warm, dark, and humid environment where fungus thrives (but where they don’t have to look at it).
This is the critical window for education.
- You have the opportunity to frame winter not as a time to hide, but as the active treatment phase.
- By educating your patients that “Summer Feet are Made in Winter,” you shift the timeline. You turn a passive waiting period into an active treatment season!
Managing Expectations (and Adherence)
The biggest hurdle in antifungal therapy is compliance.
When patients don’t see significant results in 30 days, they often stop applying the medication. To win the battle against fungus and to keep your patients satisfied during the long slog of treatment, you need a dual approach: you must treat the infection AND manage the aesthetic.
Here is the Tetra Protocol we recommend for your winter patients:
The Heavy Lifter: Formula 3®
- Explain to your patients that the fungus is deep within the nail unit. They need a soluble antifungal like Formula 3® that can actually penetrate the barrier.
- Set the expectation early: “This will take months, not days. We are growing a new nail, not just painting over the old one.”
The Confidence Booster: Myrrhage®
- This is your secret weapon for compliance. While Formula 3® fights the invisible war, Myrrhage® fights the visible one.
- Patients get discouraged when their nails look “ugly” during treatment. Myrrhage® is a plant-based serum that helps whiten discoloration and strengthen brittle nails.
- By prescribing this alongside the antifungal, you give the patient an immediate aesthetic “win.”
- They feel better about their feet now, which encourages them to stick with the daily antifungal regimen for the long haul.
The Skin Smoother: Kamea® G
- Fungal nails often come alongside dry, cracked heels.
- Remind patients that a beautiful nail looks out of place on a callous-ridden foot.
- Kamea® G (with glycolic acid) allows them to exfoliate and condition their skin all winter long.
Get In Touch and Be Prepared!
Don’t wait for the sun to come out; instead, stock up on the “Sandal Season” essentials. Contact your Tetra representative to ensure your inventory is ready for the winter rush!
The Tetra Corporation has been creating pioneering healthcare products for over three decades, helping physicians add value to their practices while improving patient outcomes. As a trusted provider of efficient and reliable treatments dispensed exclusively through medical doctors, we add both value and innovative treatment options to any practice we work with. Interested in learning more about our products? Contact us online or by calling customer service at 800-826-0479! You can also visit our brand-new website.
