What every unhoused woman should know, right now.

Whether you’re new to the streets or have years behind you, these reminders are about survival, not shame. They’re not meant to lecture; they’re meant to keep you here. Alive. Safe. and seen.

🧠 Body and Health Reminders

1. Untie those hair knots. Leaving tight buns or “balls” for long hours in your hair can cause traction alopecia, restricted blood flow, and permanent hair loss.

2. Check your feet daily. If you wear flip-flops or sandals, know this: they offer no support and can wreck your hips, knees, back, and skin.

3. Watch out! Toenail fungus will sneak in. Tinea pedis hits hard and takes real meds to heal. If your toenails are thick, discolored, or crumbly don’t ignore it.

4. No toothbrush? Get Dentyne. Chewing gum that fights plague can help protect your gums until you can find a brush and rinse.

5. Keep body hair trimmed. Especially neck-down. Ticks, lice, crabs, fleas, mites, and bed bugs love your warm, hidden places.

6. Wipe down smart. Baby wipes. Unscented body wash. Feminine rinse. They’re not fancy their fortress maintenance.

7. Wearing a bra helps. Not just for support, but to reduce attention from predators in mixed spaces. It’s unfair, but it matters.

8. Heel cracks = infection highway. Treat them before they split further. Cracks that go deep hurt and they open the body to bacteria.

9. Think twice about piercings. In a fight, earrings can get ripped out. Worse, they can become infected entry points.

10. If you see Lumps anywhere? Check them. Don’t wait for swelling to mean something’s wrong. If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t.

11. Boils or bubbles under skin? If they’re hot, painful, or growing get help. It could be a deep infection, not just a skin thing.

12. Jerky movements or tremors? That’s not just being cold. It could be a nervous system issue or sign of seizure. Don’t wait.

13. Shooting pain down the left arm? If your chest tightens too, that could be a heart event. Get help now.

14. Unstoppable gas with pain? Laugh if you need to but serious, persistent bloating can signal deeper digestive issues.

15. Clean those delicate folds daily. Vulva hygiene matters. Smegma builds up. It causes odor, irritation, and infections that can escalate fast.

⚠️ Street Sentinel’s Disclaimer: This story is part of a series capturing the emotional, physical, and social realities of homelessness. It does not seek pity but rather understanding and a shift in public awareness. All characters and voices may reflect personal or composite experiences for the sake of advocacy and impact.