- Time of past OR future Camino
- May-July 2023
For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Great suggestions, thank you!The item I use most often is micropore tape. Useful for minor cuts and grazes and for covering rubbing spots on toes to prevent blisters. Also handy for small repairs to other kit. A crepe bandage is also useful in case of sprains and other joint problems. I carry paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. A small tub of zinc oxide ointment and a small bottle of tea tree oil to counter fungal infections and chafing.
I don't carry much. A few bandaids. A few ibuprofen. 2 or 3 Alcohol wipes. I've never needed to use any of it. Every village will have a farmacia or at least one near. You're never farther than a taxi ride away.Great suggestions, thank you!
1 | Tape | ca. 1m of Leukotape |
6 | Ibu | Ibuprofen |
2 | Digestion | Active Coal Tablets |
1 | Band Aids | generic |
1 | Sewing Kit | Hotel |
3 | Electrolytes | Elotrans |
2 | Alcohol Wipes | generic |
I agree. I would not consider medications to be part of a first aid kit, and wouldn't consider using them as part of any first aid treatment. I think the only thing that I do carry in my first aid kit that needs to be consumed is salt, and I carry a few sachets that can be mixed with water should someone cramping need first aid. In my 'medical supplies' I carry electrolyte tablets for my own use.There’s a difference between a first-aid kit and a medical kit; I suspect most carry some combination of the two in various quantities.
There’s no point in carrying anything you don’t know how to use, and attending a decent first-aid course is an interesting and potentially useful way to spend a couple of days.
To your specific question: small quantities of pain-killers; two Imodium; blister care stuff; antiseptic wipes and a couple of band-aids.
Spanish farmacias are plentiful, well-stocked and very helpful and as Annie says on the Frances every second signpost has a local taxi number on it.
yes there's a difference. Maybe I should have just said what you would take to fix common issues: Blisters, cuts etc.There’s a difference between a first-aid kit and a medical kit; I suspect most carry some combination of the two in various quantities.
There’s no point in carrying anything you don’t know how to use, and attending a decent first-aid course is an interesting and potentially useful way to spend a couple of days.
To your specific question: small quantities of pain-killers; two Imodium; blister care stuff; antiseptic wipes and a couple of band-aids.
Spanish farmacias are plentiful, well-stocked and very helpful and as Annie says on the Frances every second signpost has a local taxi number on it.
If you need it, you will be in no mood to go somewhere to get it.Loperamide aka Imodium. If you carry it with you you probably won't need it.
Walked in May/June this year.For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
I'm leaving at the very end of May in 23 and coming back somewhere between July 7 and July 10!Walked in May/June this year.
Blister plasters
Paracetamol
Normal plasters
Needle and thread if you like to treat your blisters that way.
If your bag is going in the aircraft hold a small bottle of sterilising hand gel, or buy one after airport security. Also handy for sterilising needle and thread.
Elasticated support bandage roll for strains/sprains.
I gave away more blister plasters than I used.
Spare blister needle and thread went to a group of badly blistered Italians.
I always carry 2 elastic knee braces as I have had knee surgery - gave one away to a struggling young Korean chap on day 3. (Taking up Tai Chi a year before the Camino meant that the stronger muscles around my knee and ankle joints didn’t need any additional support. )
Oh… did I say blister plasters?
See my updated comment re Compeed.I'm leaving at the very end of May in 23 and coming back somewhere between July 7 and July 10!
And I'll make sure to follow your plaster advice haha!
Is DaveBugg still roaming this Forum? He can provide the best response to this question.For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
I have found the Compeed brand at Walgreens, and Band-Aid brand also makes hydrocolloid bandages.Blister plasters. Compeed are great blister plasters but almost unobtainable in the USA.
It's a bad approach unless your goal is to create a super highway for bacteria to enter the wound.Spare blister needle and thread went to a group of badly blistered Italians who believe in the thread and drain approach
One man I met worse nylon socks under his merino socks and never had a blister - I am going to try that next time!Also vaseline
I smother my feet in it every morning and lunchtime
I think this helps prevent blisters
There are fancier lotions for your feet but a tub of vaseline works well
Defo lots of ibuprofen if you use it, can be expensive
Plasters, kt tape, needle and thread, antiseptic hand gel, wipes are in my pack also x
Or better yet, how to avoid getting blisters in the first place.During practice hikes at home, you may get a blister. You can then practice various remedies on how to take care of blisters.
Do not wait until you get to Spain to learn how to hike or to take care of a blister.
I was fortunate, as my 1st aid kit came home unopened. Having said that, I would still take a small one everytime. I take just half a dozen headache, diarrhoea and antihistamine tablets, a few bandaids and some antiseptic wipes and/or cream or liquid and whatever blister prevention/cure you choose. If used, then you can easily replace. I overdid it on the latter, spent a small fortune on a variety of preventative measures but it turned out I got all my blisters in my training at home.For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
Hello—What are the “active coal tablets” for? Thanks…
1Tape ca. 1m of Leukotape 6Ibu Ibuprofen 2Digestion Active Coal Tablets 1Band Aids generic 1Sewing Kit Hotel 3Electrolytes Elotrans 2Alcohol Wipes generic
I used a bit of the Leukotape, i used the Ibuprofen, I used the coal tablets and the electrolytes. I bought some "kinesio tape" along the way.
High cholesterol, hangovers and/or stomach disorders. Limited scientific evidence of efficacy; but wouldn’t it be a boring world if that were all that mattered.Hello—What are the “active coal tablets” for? Thanks…
I am among those who love the hydrocolloid dressings. Turns out that band-Aid owns Compeed. I discovered this because I was getting Compeed (first discovered in France in 2003 when I had littel inclination to miss out on walking the new city I was living in) via Amazon and paying through the nose… So I looked up the brand history and discovered that if I were to find the Band-Aid version, I’d be getting the same thing for about 1/3 the price.I have found the Compeed brand at Walgreens, and Band-Aid brand also makes hydrocolloid bandages.
Footcare Products to Help Protect Corns and Blisters | BAND-AID® Brand
Explore BAND-AID® Brand’s collection of footcare products, including HYDRO SEAL® Bandages, designed to cushion, protect, and relieve blisters and corns on toes and heels.www.band-aid.com
Some good answers .. but, no one seems to have mentioned that there will be other pilgrims around, some in pain, needing help and with no supplies of their own (or they have used them all) .. so could I suggest that any first aid kit 'built' for a Camino should carry enough to help others?
Just a thought xx
a p.s. - don't use Compeed. It is a great product but is really designed for home use where you get a small blister, slap one on, go home at end of the day and wear different shoes next day - on Camino it is different ... close up a full blister with a Compeed and as you pound the foot day after day it will get bigger and bigger until you have a serious problem. Even worse is where a pilgrim puts one over a burst blister with inadequate cleaning - the perfect Petrie dish.
Drain blister, flatten, antiseptic, cover, pad, cover again - sorted (and never never never leave a thread in a blister to "help it drain" - septicaemia lies that way).
Hello—What are the “active coal tablets” for? Thanks…
While i have no idea about the scientifically proven efficiacy, i prefer them to Imodium in regards for slight digestive disturbances. For those instances when your bottle of red was followed by a second to help with all the fatty meat from the pork knuckle you ate... if you get the picture ;-)High cholesterol, hangovers and/or stomach disorders. Limited scientific evidence of efficacy; but wouldn’t it be a boring world if that were all that mattered.
Not me, unfortunately, having gotten a raging infection as a result of following "use compeed" advice on my first camino - in circumstances where it was the worst thing to be using. That said, it finally cured a stubborn foot crack that I hadn't been able to shake for a very long time. So clearly it has its uses, but know what you're getting into. And yes, @Perambulating Griffin, the BandAid version is a fraction of the price and just as good. (You just don't get the cute little plastic box to recycle as a sewing kit container. .)I am among those who love the hydrocolloid dressings.
Yes! I love this stuff. Between toes, and wherever else there is friction.Body Glide makes a foot stick
This is what I used from my first aid kit: Moleskin, Swiss army knife, and antiseptic wipes.yes there's a difference. Maybe I should have just said what you would take to fix common issues: Blisters, cuts etc.
I was wanting a Swiss Army knife. Thinking theyThis is what I used from my first aid kit: Moleskin, Swiss army knife, and antiseptic wipes.
Everyone has a different approach on how to care for blisters ( I think the camino world is divided between Team Compeed and Team Molsekin, LOL). Compeed is readily available in the farmacias, whereas Moleskin is not.
I brought band-aids and never used them, but I think they are an essential item to bring. I needed duct tape to patch my backpack rain cover, and I bought a roll at the Chinese emporiums for 1 euro.
One like this might be able to make it to Europe. Check with TSA. Or, if not, this bought there might make it back home. I don't think you will need anything bigger on the Camino.I was wanting a Swiss Army knife. Thinking they
won’t let on a carry on bag on my flights so going to look to buy one in St Jean Pied de Port
MEC has liner socks that I have used on through hikes.One man I met worse nylon socks under his merino socks and never had a blister - I am going to try that next time!
The item I use most often is micropore tape. Useful for minor cuts and grazes and for covering rubbing spots on toes to prevent blisters. Also handy for small repairs to other kit. A crepe bandage is also useful in case of sprains and other joint problems. I carry paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. A small tub of zinc oxide ointment and a small bottle of tea tree oil to counter fungal infections and chafing.
Items not so easy to get on the way but are so very useful for me are - Hikers wool - weighs nothing but wonderful for stopping hot spots from becoming blisters and Paw paw ointment for dried up lips After walking in the wind.For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
I love Injinji socks! When we did our camino last year we always wore either injini liners or silk liners inside our merino wool socks. My wife got one blister and I did not get any. One of our friends smeared vaseline each day, and likewise had no blisters. I am pretty sure both ways are successful as a prophylactic to prevent blisters by cutting down friction at the skin surface.1. Injinji toe socks. Are socks a medicine item? In my case yes they were. As many ultra folks say "toe socks or no socks." As a prophylactic I'm not sure they work, but after the blisters bulged, my heavens, they were a kind of salve.
Good reminder!!One thing which I don't think has been mentioned is anti-histamine cream. Now you do not need a full tube, that is only taking space and adding weight. Get a very small zip lock bag, like the one spare buttons come in, put about 5 gram of anti histamine cream into it, roll it, seal it, write a label and sellotape it on. Then if you get a sting you just pierce it with a pin or needle and a little bit emerges, enough for the job.
I hope that you bring enough for a full course of treatment (5-14 days) since misuse of antibiotics can lead to drug resistant bacteria taking hold.a few Cipro (or similar). Which are antibiotics for intestinal distress
Yes, although the intestinal distress drugs tend to be just 3-4 pillsI hope that you bring enough for a full course of treatment (5-14 days) since misuse of antibiotics can lead to drug resistant bacteria taking hold.
I tend to have a lot of problems with blisters so I bring:For all of you veterans of the way, I want to bring along my own first aid kit. I understand I can replenish along the way but I want to have one with me for the start. What do you recommend being in it?
That’s what I did. No blisters no hotspots.One man I met worse nylon socks under his merino socks and never had a blister - I am going to try that next time!
In books I have read re: hiking long distance they advise wearing a liner under socks. I did that and I only had one blister on the Camino...that was due to a full day of moderate to heavy rain so not sure much can prevent a blister in that case.One man I met worse nylon socks under his merino socks and never had a blister - I am going to try that next time!
No way.Camino bandages
I wish I had a video of me miming a need for imodium in a small store on the FrancesIf you need it, you will be in no mood to go somewhere to get it.
I am new here. I'm not a Camino veteran yet, but I am a military veteran with many miles in boots. Lots of great first aid suggestions. Rather than Vaseline and similar products to improve toe movement may I suggest Vicks. It is the same consistency with menthol which prevents the growth of fungus on feet and toe nails.Also vaseline
I smother my feet in it every morning and lunchtime
I think this helps prevent blisters
There are fancier lotions for your feet but a tub of vaseline works well
Defo lots of ibuprofen if you use it, can be expensive
Plasters, kt tape, needle and thread, antiseptic hand gel, wipes are in my pack also x
The first aid kit that I carry on Camino is very minimal but it does include a couple of doses of immodium. One is often enough and when it isn't this is generally enough to get me to the next farmacia.As a note, not every town has a Farmacia. Having experienced a dire need for immodium, and it being a holiday as well as a Sunday, and 2 small towns in a row, it was a very uncomfortable 2 days.
I came across (from China via eBay) some Qtips with a hollow stick filled with iodine solution. Flex the stick to release the iodine; they’re excellent.Yes you can buy from pharmacies in Spain and every town has one but knowing my luck I will get caught out between towns on a Sunday when everything is closed.
I plan on taking the following first aid/ medical items:
x2 povidone iodine wipes
small sterile sealed blade (yes I know how and when to use)
a square of gauze
a couple of island dressings
couple of hydrocolloid dressings
fixomull
couple of qtips
couple of gel toe sleeves
couple of ibuprofen
couple of panadol
couple of immodium
couple of sachets of salt
couple of glucose lollies
couple of electrolytes
tea tree oil
silic 15
hikers wool
Those sounds great. I found some on Amazon (US)I came across (from China via eBay) some Qtips with a hollow stick filled with iodine solution. Flex the stick to release the iodine; they’re excellent.
Wow, I'm sold. Take my money! Thanks for the heads up, this sounds brilliant.I came across (from China via eBay) some Qtips with a hollow stick filled with iodine solution. Flex the stick to release the iodine; they’re excellent.
In this case it’s a topical antiseptic. Search ‘iodine cotton swab’ on a well-known auction site.Sorry to ask such a rookie question…when and for purpose is iodine used?