Hot spot on toe close to leaving on Camino

[spikey]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

 

[Turga]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

I too tend to get blisters on the wee toes, I wrap them with hiker's wool/lambswool. It works great and is easy to apply -and then it weighs next to nothing so you can carry a good supply with you

 

[Anniesantiago]

I get that danged blistered wee toe also.
I wrap with hiker's wool when I have it.
I also use those silicone toe tubes you can buy anywhere and cut to size.
Lastly, I use KT tape if I need it.

 

[rorerich]

Excellent catch! Great to pay close attention to anything that could turn into something much bigger! Based on the fact that you are observant to your foot health I predict your feet will be well taken care of on Camino!
You will receive MANY suggestions! This is what I do:
1) Protect with waterproof medical tape. Taping potential spots is wise prevention.
2) Also check the inside of socks - there could be a little bitty string from manufacturing that could rub. I prefer to wear my socks inside out so the really smooth surface is against my feet.
3) Look feet over and attend to them carefully every day.
Buen Camino Spikey!

 

[jsalt]

Any tips at this late stage

Yeah, I get it too if my boots/shoes are too narrow. Some people recommend wearing 2 pairs of socks to prevent blisters, but when I tried that once I started getting that hot spot on my little toe. I removed one pair of socks and everything was fine again. I just make sure I have a wide enough shoe box now.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

For this type of location, a toe cap often times works best due to the potential difficulty of getting tape or moleskin to stick without it rubbing loose and creating other problems. Toe caps come in a variety of sizes and materials, but those made of silicone seem to 'hold on' best.

Something is creating a friction rub, and if you can, try to identify the cause so that a correction can be made if possible.

 

[C clearly]

If you are getting it now, for sure it will be worse on the Camino. I get it and have to walk in pain until the blister heals into a thick callus. I think the cause is the repeated 20+km days, whereas one or 2 such days don't cause it. On my next walk, I intend to use protection every morning, even when I don't seem to have a problem. I will use Omnifix (available from pharmacies in Spain; google it for info), paper tape or even a simple bandaid on the baby toes. When I have developed a big blister, I have had to drain it thoroughly to reduce pain and expansion, and protect with a toe cap/tube.

Wider shoes might also be appropriate.

 

[Dochim]

Those baby toes are tiny but can give us so much grief . I have Altra trailshoes with a wide toe box, but I’m now thinking of cutting the section of insole beneath the wee toes, just to give the little dears even more space. Restarting in Logrono tomorrow.

 

[maggiec]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

Get some Hikers Wool. It is weightless and absolutely fantastic to stuff into your sock where the hotspot is. I bought mine online but some stores stock it. Google it and have a look. The other good thing to take with you is the toe tube thing you buy at a pharmacy. Just cut a piece off and poke your toe into it so there is no rubbing. (You need wide toed shoes to accommodate bandages etc)

 

[lt56ny]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

Do whatever Davebugg tells you to do. No one on earth knows more about feet and shoes and blisters and toes then Dave.

 

[Bodi]

I wrap my little toe in hikers wool also. No tape needed. Also just lately, I’ve started loosening my boot laces just a bit at the bottom toe box area while still tightening as usual farther up. My boots are possibly a little too narrow now as compared to when I bought them a few years ago; my feet have no doubt spread a bit. Hikers wool is the best though and as others have said, weighs nothing.

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

Just under 3 weeks from Camino and starting to get a hot spot on my wee toe during training walks
Nothing previously???
Any tips at this late stage folks wrap it in a plaster pre walking?

Wear Injinji toe ‘under socks’ - but get the pure wool ones. Then your walking socks (merino wool best) over them. And, put some Omnifix tape on before walking - under the socks of course!!!

 

[rorerich]

I wrap my little toe in hikers wool also. No tape needed. Also just lately, I’ve started loosening my boot laces just a bit at the bottom toe box area while still tightening as usual farther up. My boots are possibly a little too narrow now as compared to when I bought them a few years ago; my feet have no doubt spread a bit. Hikers wool is the best though and as others have said, weighs nothing.

This also reminds me that to give the toe box more space it works to remove the laces and then replace them - omitting the first set of grommets. Three basic but awesome tips - including this one - is at: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/lacing-hiking-boots.html

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have not used engo patches but possibly they may help you here. Essentially they are Teflon patches that adhere to the insides of your footwear to reduce friction. The following links to a forum search on engo.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/search/799615/?q=Engo&o=date

[Edit: While the lamb's wool is cheap and may work fine for you it may be worth ordering the engo now in case the wool doesn't work out for you. You may have enough time to test it but even if it doesn't do the job in the test bring it with you. It is light and could be passed on to someone else on the trail with a foot problem.]

 

[JudeD]

I returned on 1st Sept after walking SJPdP to Finisterre wearing Altra trail runners with injinji socks (after reading about them on here). No foot problems whatsoever. My friend started with expensive (supposedly correctly fitted) Merrell walking shoes and toe socks, got blisters and ended up buying Altras in Solorunners in Burgos. Wore them straight away with no breaking in, but best of all no more blisters.

 

[Bodi]

Thanks for the boot lacing tips @rorerich!

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

I suggest you watch Rebecca Rushton’s videos on YouTube. She’s a podiatrist/blister expert from Australia. Not sure if you’re referring to a potential blister on top of your toe or underneath (pinch blister) but she’ll set you straight on how to handle. Buen Camino.

 

[martin1ws]

And here are some links of Rebecca Rushton’s website that I took as notes on my smartphone before my camino:
https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/
https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/how-to-prevent-blisters
https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/blister-blog/hot-spot-before-foot-blister
https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/engo-blister-prevention-patches

 

[Tom Quinn]

Some excellent suggestions here. Definitely try to change how the boots are being laced. Also I have found a thinner wool sock (ice breaker) gives more room in the toe box of my boot. Experiment to see what works best here for you before you start your pilgrimage. Buen Camino.

 

[Kanga]

Take a pair of comfy walking sandals, just in case. (from someone who walks in them all the time!)