Jessie's Foot Care

06/05/2026

Wellness checks Monday !!! Free free free

REMINDER! Monday Morning Wellness Checks.
You're invited to join us bright and early Monday Morning.
Date: June 8, 2026
Time: 8:30am-10:00am
Location: Whittaker Room, White Rapids Manor

This free service includes:
-blood pressure check
-oxygen level check
-weight check
-blood sugar check

Join us for a morning of keeping your health in check while enjoying coffee, snacks, and light, friendly conversation.

Seniors aged 60+ are welcome and you don't have to be a participant to attend.

Hope to see you there!

06/05/2026

So what goes into sterilizing foot care instruments?

If using reusable tools - you must purchase an autoclave & incubator- plus many other supplies

What some of the process includes daily:
Cleaning , inspecting , drying , packaging ,autoclaving , live virus 🦠 testing , labelling , documenting , storing of the tools

&

Daily Quality Assurance:
📋 Check and document autoclave operation
📋 Check distilled water level and refill as required
📋 Inspect chamber, trays, door gasket, and equipment condition
📋 Review sterilization records and load documentation
📋 Verify chemical indicators have passed & more

Biological Monitoring:
🧪 Biological Indicator (spore test) monitoring is performed according to policy and standards
🧪 A Process Challenge Device (PCD) is used during biological testing
🧪 A biological indicator test vial is processed through the autoclave
🧪 An unprocessed control vial is incubated alongside the test vial
🧪 Both vials are placed in an incubator and monitored for growth
🧪 Results are documented and retained as part of the sterilization records

Routine Maintenance:
📅 Daily cleaning and inspection of the autoclave
📅 Weekly chamber cleaning using approved autoclave cleaner
📅 Routine preventative maintenance according to Midmark manufacturer guidelines
📅 Documentation of maintenance, testing, and repairs & more

Products Used During Reprocessing:
• Enzymatic instrument cleaner
• Distilled water
• Sterilization pouches
• Class 5 chemical integrators
• Process Challenge Device (PCD)
• Biological indicator (spore test) vials
• Control vials
• Biological indicator incubator
• Steam sterilizer (autoclave) & more

💙 Sterilization is much more than putting tools in a machine. Every instrument undergoes cleaning, inspection, packaging, sterilization, monitoring, testing, documentation, and storage processes designed to meet IPAC standards and help ensure client safety.

06/05/2026

I'm a foot care nurse that is an open book and strives to be as helpful as I possibly can to fellow foot care nurses because it is a difficult thing to navigate. I do not gate keep. I wish success for all and I believe we are all equal ❤️ With the certification process coming I wanted to post some helpful links for fellow foot care nurses ❤️ I'm still learning as I go... and my passion just grows more and more every day.

Helpful links ❤️

Foot Care Nurse Association: https://cafcn.ca

Canadian nurses association: https://cna-aiic.ca/en/certification/portfolio-based-certification/foot-care-nursing

IPAC: https://ipac-canada.org/education-institute/webinars/webinar-best-practices-in-foot-care/

IPAC checklist: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/c/2019/checklist-chiropody-podiatry-reprocessing.pdf?sc_lang=en

Insurance: https://www.lloydsadd.com/insurance/specialty-programs/lpn/

Onyfix, PodoExpert, 3D Flex: https://www.beautypluswholesale.com/en-us

Canadian nurses protective society for legal support: https://cnps.ca/article/ask-a-lawyer-independent-practice-considerations/

CPC for tools and autoclaves at necessary standard & MIFUs: https://cpchealthcare.on.ca

Foot Care Competencies:https://ipac-canada.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CAFCN-National-Competencies-for-Advanced-Nursing-Foot-Care.pdf

Foot Care Canada:
https://footcanadatraining.thinkific.com

Advanced Foot Care Nurse: offers courses & purchasable policies and coaching sessions https://www.afcnlearninginstitute.com/collections

06/05/2026

POV you're getting a medical nursing foot care appointment at Jessie's Foot Care

PPE:
N95
Goggles
Disposable Gown
Hair Covering
Gloves
Medical Grade Tools, sterilized in an a M9D Ritter Autoclave
Hydraulic podiatry chair - for comfort & precision

Did you know it costs us approximately $1700/ month to operate at IPAC standards? $20,400/ year just on IPAC alone.

Nursing Foot Care is a M E D I C A L service.
Requiring M E D I C A L grade tools and sterilization- medical reprocessing of critical devices; foot care tools.

Your safety is our highest priority.
We invest in it every day.
We commit segments of our day - every day for the sterilizing process.

We pour our heart and soul into each and every appointment we have.

Thank you for trusting us to provide your nursing foot care, we cherish each and every one of you and take it very seriously 👣 ❤️

06/04/2026

A staple product I use on sports gear. I throw one in every sports bag.

Did you know PodoExpert Foot Spray is great to use on motocross gear and hockey gear (all sports gear) to kill stinky waste products from microbial that's created from your warm sweat.

Why it works is because -
The alcohol, tea tree oil, and other antimicrobial ingredients help damage or disrupt bacteria and fungi, making it harder for them to survive and multiply. With fewer bacteria and fungi present, less odor is produced because there are fewer microorganisms breaking down sweat and dead skin cells. 🦠🦶👃

In simple terms:

* You sweat into your gear.
* Bacteria and fungi grow in the moisture.
* They feed on sweat, oils, and dead skin.
* As they break it down, they release smelly compounds.
* Those compounds are what create the “hockey gear smell.”

Give em a spray post wear - and thank me later 😜

06/03/2026

Random health fact

👀 DID YOU KNOW? Your eyes can get sunburned too! ☀️

It’s called photokeratitis — essentially a sunburn of the eye caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays.

You may be at higher risk when UV light reflects off:
❄️ Snow
🌊 Water
🏖️ Sand
🏔️ Ice

Symptoms can include:
• Eye pain or burning
• Redness
• Excessive tearing
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• A gritty or “sand in the eyes” feeling

The good news? Most cases are temporary, but repeated UV exposure over time can increase the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts and other vision problems.

✅ Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays whenever you’re outdoors.

Just like your skin, your eyes need sun protection too! 😎☀️

06/03/2026

👣 WHY PATIENT ADVOCACY MATTERS IN FOOT CARE 👣

A foot care nurse does more than trim nails ✂️
1 important segment of a foot care nurses role is patient advocacy.

An advocate is:

“One who supports or promotes the interests of another.”

Many clients we care for may:
• live with dementia or cognitive decline
• have limited mobility or visually impaired
•are in a highly vulnerable position
• be unable to properly inspect their feet or provide proper hygienic care
• have difficulty communicating pain or concerns
• not recognize early signs of infection, pressure, or injury

This is where patient advocacy becomes incredibly important ❤️

As foot care nurses, we often identify concerns clients may not notice or cannot speak up about themselves:
• wounds between toes
• poorly fitting footwear
• pressure injuries
• fungal or bacterial infections
• swelling or circulation concerns
• improperly fitted compression stockings

Advocating can mean:
🩺 educating families & caregivers
📞 communicating concerns to nursing staff or providers
👟 recommending safer footwear
📋 encouraging medical follow-up
❤️ helping protect comfort, mobility & quality of life

Sometimes small observations and early intervention can prevent much larger complications later

It is our duty.

06/03/2026

👣 WHY DO TOES CONTRACT INTO HAMMER TOES? 👣

Hammer toes are usually caused by a mix of genetics, foot structure, muscle imbalance & shoe pressure & injury 👟

Common causes:
• 🧬 Genetics
• 📏 Long 2nd toe/metatarsal
• ⚖️ Muscle & tendon imbalance
• 👠 Tight/narrow shoes
• 🦶 Bunions
• 📉 Weakening foot support structures causing pressure changes

🤔 WHY ARE LITTLE TOES AFFECTED MORE?

The lesser toes (2nd–5th) have smaller joints & are more prone to imbalance. The big toe is stronger and more stable during walking.

⚠️ Early signs:
• curling toes
• corns/calluses
• toes lifting
• shoe discomfort
• redness over joints

✅ Early support options:
• wider shoes
• avoid tight/high heels
• toe exercises
• padding/taping
• orthotics if needed
• podiatry assessment

Early treatment can help slow progression 👣

06/03/2026

🧦 WHY DO FEET & SHOES STINK? 👟🦠

Your feet contain over 250,000 sweat glands and can sweat up to 500 mL per day 😳

But here’s the interesting part:
➡️ Sweat itself usually has very little smell.

The odor happens when bacteria on your skin break down:
• sweat
• dead skin cells
• oils

Bacteria use these substances as “food” for energy. During this process, they release waste chemicals such as:
• sulfur compounds
• organic acids
• ammonia-like compounds

These strong-smelling chemicals are what create foot and shoe odor 👃

Now add:
🔥 heat
💧 moisture
👟 tight shoes

…and you create the perfect environment for BOTH bacteria and fungus to grow.

🚫 WHY GOING BAREFOOT IN SNEAKERS ISN’T GREAT
When you skip socks:
• Sweat soaks directly into the shoe lining
• Shoes stay damp longer
• More bacteria and fungus build up
• Friction increases → blisters & skin breakdown
• Odor becomes trapped deep in the shoe material

Socks act like a protective barrier between your skin and the shoe.

🦠 SO WHAT ACTUALLY “CREATES” FUNGUS?
Fungus is made up of tiny living organisms called fungi. These fungi already exist naturally in the environment:
• on floors
• in shoes
• on skin
• in locker rooms/public showers
• on socks and damp surfaces

Usually your skin barrier and dry environment keep them under control.

BUT when feet stay:
💧 moist
🔥 warm
👟 enclosed
🚫 poorly ventilated

…the fungi can multiply and overgrow.

Think of it like this:
You are not magically creating fungus from sweat alone —
you are creating the PERFECT environment for fungi that already exist to rapidly grow and spread.

Fungi feed on:
• dead skin
• keratin in nails
• moist damaged skin

That’s why damp cracked skin between toes is a very common place for fungal infections to start.

🦠 CAN BACTERIA & FUNGUS LIVE INSIDE SHOES?
Yes,especially in damp shoes.

Fungi that cause athlete’s foot and fungal nails can survive in shoes for days to months depending on:
• moisture
• warmth
• airflow
• shoe material

Bacteria can also continue living in shoe lining and insoles, especially if shoes repeatedly stay sweaty or damp.

This means shoes can sometimes “re-contaminate” feet even after the skin improves.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SHOES STAY WET?
⚠️ Skin becomes soft and weakened (“macerated”)
⚠️ Friction and blisters increase
⚠️ Fungus and bacteria multiply faster
⚠️ Odour gets trapped inside shoes

FUNGUS commonly causes:
• peeling skin
• itching
• white soggy skin between toes
• thick/discoloured nails

BACTERIA commonly cause:
• strong foot odor
• sweaty feet
• small pits/holes on soles
• slimy skin

👟 IF YOUR SHOES STINK : DO YOU NEED NEW ONES?
Not always!

Try this first:
✔ Let shoes fully dry between wears
✔ Rotate pairs daily
✔ Remove insoles to air out
✔ Wash insoles if possible
✔ Use antibacterial or antifungal spray/powder
✔ Wear clean moisture-wicking socks daily

BUT…
If shoes still smell strongly after cleaning and drying, bacteria and fungi may be deeply trapped in the material and it may be time to replace them.

FOOT HEALTH TIPS 👣
• Change socks daily
• Dry carefully between toes
• Never wear damp shoes
• Avoid staying in sweaty socks
• Don’t ignore itching, peeling, or persistent odor

Healthy feet start with controlling moistur

06/03/2026

Sign up for availability:)

Footcare Clinic happening!
Where: Tracy Senior Centre, Tracy NB
Date: June 26

If you are a participant of Nursing Home Without Walls/WRM and require professional footcare, we have a few appointments left to fill.
Jessie's Footcare will be on site to provide professional footcare to those who do not currently have a footcare provider.

Call 506-368-6504 or email [email protected] to book your appointment or find out how to register for the NHWW Program.

We will cover your initial footcare assessment.