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Large Plastic Tubs for Foot Baths
These are usually around 14.5 in x 9.5 inches and can be found at dollar stores.
Small Plastic Tubs for Foot Tools
These are usually about 4 in. x 7 in. and are available at dollar stores. These tubs will hold
a sterile solution of wintergreen alcohol and water. You will keep your tools submersed in this solution as you work
on a guest's feet. When you have finished and your tools have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, then you may store
them in these tubs.
Toe Nail Clippers
These can be used, but are not recommended. My clinic had these and after trying to used them
for a day I ended up giving them to various guests. Human toenails vary greatly in thickness. These are fine for
the thin ones but they don't do a very effecient job on thick ones. They are available at dollar stores.
Professional Toenail Clippers/Nippers
These will get the job done, but they are a little smaller and a little more difficult to use than
the Barrel-Spring Toenail Clippers/Nippers listed below. They usually cost between $9.99 - $14.99. It really pays
to spend the $14.99 and get the Barrel-Spring ones. Since these are a little smaller, they can be a little more difficult
for those of us with fairly large hands.
Barrel-Spring Toenail Clippers/Nippers
These things are great. They can trim toenails accurately and efficeintly. However, they
cost anywhere from $14.99 -$20.00. Wal-Mart typically has them for $14.99. A pair of these, properly dried and
cared for, can last for a few years or more.
Callus Rasp
Also known in my clinic as the notorious cheese grater, the callus rasp acts just like a wood rasp.
Instead of removing wood, it removes the hard, dead tissue that makes up calluses. Most of the ones you will see in
stores will have a metal rasp on one side, the only side the packaging typically shows you, and a rough, sandy stone on the
other. Try your best to get the kind that have a course metal rasp on one side and a fine metal rasp on the other, as
the stone would be ineffective and very difficult to sanitize. These are usually around $2.00 - $4.00 and can be found
in most stores.
Nail Files
I don't actually file anyone's nails, but these are great for removing dead tissue from the various
crevices of a toe if necessary. I have found that the ones with the plastic handles tend to rust, no matter how well
you dry them. The one pictured is stainless and very rust resistant. It will last for many years. Unfortunately,
they are difficult to find these days, at least in Atlanta. They can usually be located at beauty supply stores for
around $3.99. The ones with plastic handles can be found at any discount store, drug store, or dollar store. They
are great if your budget is tight.
Disposable Latex Gloves
Protect your hands from any fungus or contagions AT ALL TIMES. I have these on, unless I am
shaking someones hand. These can be purchased at discount stores or drug stores. Nurses, doctors, and medical
supply places can get these for you for free sometimes, as they are not able to use boxes that have gone past their expiration
dates or they simply may be over supplied.
Black & Decker Rotary Tool
These tools are absolutely great at removing thick calluses in a very safe and controlled manner.
Sadly, the homeless may uses razor blades or pocket knifes to perform "self surgery" on their painful calluses, or even resort
to purposefully scraping them on curbs, cinder blocks, or parking blocks to get relief. All of these methods are unsanitary,
uncontrolled, inefficient, and dangerous. By using a 100 grit (fine) sanding band, these machines can sand away a callus
just as easily as they can sand wood. Home Depot has them for around $30.00. Dremel tools are more widely known
and more expensive ($55.00 - $65.00). I've used both and I prefer the less expensive Black & Decker for it's special,
rubber grip, and smooth 12,500 rpm setting, which is perfect for working on human feet.
Mentholatum/Vapo Rub
This is what we use as the last step of our care for the men's feet. As long as the
feet don't have bad scrapes or raw or open wounds, we rub this into the men's feet. They say it feels wonderful, plus
it helps soften and heal damaged soles.
Athletes' Foot Cream/Ointment
We rub this between the men's toes during the "foot rub" stage of our care. Rarely we
will have a guest who does not have athletes' foot, but they typically want the ointment anyway, as they fear they will get
athlete's foot from a shelter shower. Their odds of getting athletes' foot can be reduced by wearing shower shoes and
changing their socks each day, which are both fairly difficult for many of the homeless.
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