Healthy Feet Program
Hosted by: Hundred Nights Inc
Date
Ongoing Opportunity
Time
Contact coordinator for times
Contact
Mindy Cambiar
[email protected]
603-352-5197
About Healthy Feet Program
The nights are getting longer and colder and the dampness never really leaves your socks, shoes or boots. George Washington, or anyone with good military training, could tell you how important good boots or shoes are to a person spending a lot of time outdoors. For the homeless, taking care of your feet becomes critical as winter arrives.
What foot conditions are common among homeless people?
1. Ingrowing toe nails – Not uncommon but can lead to gangrene if left untreated, as the infection spreads.
2. Corns – Homeless people often wear tight or ill-fitting footwear, which tends to cause friction, leading to hard and soft corns
3. Ulcers – Some homeless people are living with Diabetes Mellitus and have high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classic symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). Unfortunately, ulcers are common in homeless people, as a result of being out-doors in all weather conditions.
4. Nail dystrophies – Many nail conditions are common amongst homeless people mostly because of poor foot hygiene and not changing shoes and socks regularly. This leads to a lack of oxygen in the skin, resulting in infection.
5. Bacterial infections – From being on the streets and not being able to wash regularly, the feet tend to harbor bacteria.
6. Fungal infections – Athletes Foot is common, due to lack of washing and being in shoes for very long periods of time.
7. Bromhidrosis – Feet can smell very badly when they have not been cleaned and almost all the homeless will have this condition.
8. Hyperhidrosis – Sweaty feet is another problem which occurs when feet are in shoes for long periods of time, and this can cause blistering
With that in mind, Hundred Nights announces the launching of its’ Healthy Feet Program. Our hope is to collect medicated foot powder, antibacterial creams, bandages, foot soak tubs, and enough warm, sturdy boots and socks to help protect the feet of those who are living outdoors at this time of year and those who might be at the shelter overnight sometime during the winter.
We need volunteers to help with:
Volunteer to give Foot Care
Hold a Collection Drive!
Volunteer to give Foot Care
Hold a Collection Drive!
Volunteers (0)
No one has signed up yet, but you could be the first!