hello i stepped on a roach

Oh nooo 😖 that’s such a horrible little surprise, I’m sorry.

Here’s what I’d do, just to feel clean and safe about it:

1. Clean your foot

• If you were barefoot:

  • Wash your foot with soap and warm water for at least 20–30 seconds.
  • Rinse well and dry with a clean towel.
  • If you notice a cut or broken skin, rinse it well, use an antiseptic (like hydrogen peroxide or an alcohol wipe if you have it), then apply a small bandage.

• If you were wearing socks or shoes:

  • Take them off and either wash the sock in hot water or wipe/clean the shoe sole with soap and water or a disinfecting wipe.

2. Clean the floor

• Wipe the spot where you stepped on it with:
  • Soap and water, or
  • A household cleaner/disinfectant wipe or spray.
• Pick up the remains with paper towel or tissue and throw it in the trash (preferably sealed in a bag if it’s squishy and gross).

3. Health-wise, should you worry?

• If your skin is intact, the risk of getting sick from stepping on a roach is very, very low.
• Main thing is just:
  • Clean the area well.
  • If you had an open wound that got roach gunk in it, keep an eye on it:
    • Watch for redness spreading, swelling, warmth, pus, or worsening pain.
    • If that happens, or if you feel generally unwell, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor.

4. If this isn’t your first roach…

If you’re seeing roaches more often:

• Clean crumbs/food quickly, especially at night.
• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
• Take trash out regularly, especially food trash.
• Try roach baits or traps.
• If it’s really bad, consider calling pest control.

---

Also: it’s totally normal to feel super grossed out or even a bit shaky after something like that. If you’re still feeling icky, you can:

• Wash your feet again,
• Change clothes,
• Maybe light a candle or spray something that smells nice to reset your brain’s “ew” response.

If you tell me:

• Were you barefoot or in shoes?
• And do you have any cuts on your foot?

…I can tailor the “is it okay” reassurance a bit more for you.