I have on several occasions stepped on nails, as most anybody at a job site might do. And even though I have ‘Hobbit’ feet, I have more than once found myself nailed to a loose board. I must say, roofing nails are not all that painful, akin to a pebble in the shoe. But a large 16 penny nail straight into the arch of your foot will make you think of word combinations that you never thought were possible. Nails pose a real safety hazard for the ol’ feet.
If you have never had a foot injury of any kind, let me tell you that no amount of gauze and dirty socks can stop the bleeding, at least initially. I’m not saying you need to go to the doctor, but maybe someone needs to create foam to fill the hole. Until that day comes when we have healing spray foam, try this alternative: Rhino Tuff Puncture Resistant Insoles.
The Rhino Tuff Insoles are a foam and rubber insole like Dr. Scholl’s, with one
large difference. The underneath is a stainless steel plate capable of resisting a puncture with a force of over 270 lbs., which means that even I can step on a nail without puncture. The Rhino Tuff Insoles come in several sizes, and you can even cut them down to fit your specific size. Now in case you’re worried that they are brawn without a sensitive side, the Rhino Tuff Insoles sport a pronounced heel cup, arch and metatarsal supports, and they wick away moisture. What more can you ask when you’re talking about something that could keep you from installing a peephole in your foot?
If my story of woe, including the 4-hour hospital wait just to get a tetanus shot (the hospital was the only place that had the tetanus shot in our area) isn’t enough to make you check out the site, just listen to what one reviewer had to say;
I used to step on nails occasionally with the only consequence being a very sore foot. After the age of 50, however, the immune system slows down. I got a nail stuck in the big toe joint. Even IV antibiotics had no effect. Gang green [sic] set in & they removed my foot. I won’t go near a construction site w/o a nail proof insole under my remaining foot! (Buy insoles big and cut them down for best protection!)
I’ll be honest – that testimonial alone almost makes me want to line my sandals with the Rhino Tuff Insoles. Excuse me while a shiver runs down my spine. Anyway, check out Rhino Tuff Insoles for more info and pricing and to read some other ‘interesting reviews’ as well.
I have heard of something like spray foam used for battlefield injuries since the military doesn’t care about FDA approval before they start using new technology. Maybe it will filter down to civilians just like Velcro and Tang. Until then we will have to use shop rags and duct tape to plug our wounds.
Bob, I like your MacGyver-esque thinking! Considering how hard spray foam is to get off just about anything it gets stuck too, I don’t know that I’ll be spraying any wounds with it soon. But maybe you’re right, we might have a medical version as a first aid kit essential at some point!
I’ve done that nail through the arch trick when it was considered cool to go barefoot everywhere. Of course in those days most land was unscathed and just had weeds and rocks. Years after that people started to through things out into empty fields because they would have to pay someone to come pick them up. Most of those eye sores are gone today but the little pieces of glass and metal abound where one would never even think that they needed to be careful where they walked.
Today people wear shoes in the oddest of places including in the ocean. My how times have changed. What’s the fun of getting in the ocean if you can’t experience a good old crab nipping your toes. Other concerns are trichinosis and having your foot cut-off with a lawn mower and just plain old grass stained feet.
It was considered a badge of honor to have the dirtiest feet when I was a kid. And it was uncool when mom would yell to go get a bath. In comparison today’s mothers are slathering everything with antibacterial soap and yet we seem to be sicker now then when we risked it all for a day of unadorned adventure in the grass and out into the piles of dirt that would ultimately come wih the next house being built. Along with our Tonka toys sinking into the earthen piles with every step we would pass away an entire afternoon until mother yelled “supper”!
All that aside, mine happened in the neighbors garage on a shutter that was lying on the floor. OUCH! Right up through my foot. Blood precious blood dripping all the way home and then off to get a Tetanus shot. I think that may have hurt worse than the nail. It’s not the injection that hurts but the swelling that comes along the next few days as your body adjust to fight the battle and build the necessary antibodies.