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

March 30, 2014 8:00pm
This task is filled or completed
We need some specialized helpers who can help give foot soaks and bandage feet if needed to people who are homeless and staying at the Cold Weather Shelter....If you are someone who can help, please call! We hope to offer this every night from Dec. 21 to March 31, as needed.

Hold a Collection Drive!

March 30, 2014 8:00pm
This task is filled or completed
We need your help in the collection of items to help keep the feet of the homeless in good shape. We need foot-soaking tubs, medicated foot powder, bandages, antibacterial ointments, clean, warm socks, shoes and boots of all sizes.....

Volunteers (0)

No one has signed up yet, but you could be the first!