- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF; Norte; Ingles; Augustine; Portugues Central
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Thank youI have had several "foot meltdowns" on different caminos, and I think that the routine while walking is just as important as the post-walking routine.
I think that a huge number of pilgrims get shin splints/tendonitis because of all the road walking. And as the Camino has gotten more and more popular, a lot more paved pedestrian paths have emerged. The identical repetetive foot strike is frequently a source of problems. So, I always make a point of looking obsessively for that little strip of dirt that frequently runs alongside the pavement, and am usually successful. Another important part of my day is taking off my boots and sometimes changing socks. All the better if there is a stream or other water nearby for a soak!
As far as after walking, I frequently use ice. I carry a small plastic bag and have only once found a bar where ice was denied in connection with a drink order. Of course, that's much easier to do when you can sit outside in the sun.
Good recommendation especially the R/L sock switch, it does make sense re friction pointsGreat post peregrina2000.
When taking a break, I remove shoes. Elevate feet/legs. Air socks out. Remembering which sock was on R and on L foot.
When putting socks back on switch them. Former R goes on L foot. Former L goes on R foot.
I read in a back packing article that by airing feet, socks and change sides prevents blisters. Refreshes feet and socks.
The compacting of material is changed by this switching.
Or one could change into second pair of socks. Then air the used one out on pack.
When finished airing feet and socks, I rub some anti chaffing (solid block one -- take some on finger and rub on certain pressure points and potential rubbing points. Then put socks on.
Worked for me.
I also rub Urea cream on feet daily. Helps lots! Hydrates and heals. Soothes feet.
Hand-in-hand with foot care is what shoes/boots.
I no longer wear boots. Here is a list of recommended Camino foot wear from below cited article:
"""Here is my list of recommended Camino Footwear:
La Sportiva Akasha *Top Pick*- Great grip, cushion, and precision. A little warm in the summer.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor – Great grip, comfort, and breathability. A little narrow.
La Sportiva Mutant – Great for muddy trails in the Fall or Spring. A little warm for summer.
Nike Wildhorse 3 *Top Pick*- Great all around performer. Perfect for 3 season hiking.
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 – Great for wide feet and those prone to blisters.
Merrell All Out Peak – Another great all around performer in 3 seasons.
Hoka One One Speed Instinct – Great cushion with dual density midsole.
Salomon Wings Pro 2 *Top Pick*- Perfect stability and protection, with great grip and durability.
Salomon Sense Pro 2 – For those looking for a less structured Wings Pro 2.
Salomon XA Pro 3D *Top Pick*- A beast of a hiker. I wore these on the John Muir Trail and Tour du Mont Blanc.
Salomon X Ultra 2 *Top Pick*- Another beast of a hiker. Similar to the XA Pro 3D, but a much more aggressive outsole.
New Balance Leadville 3 – Only shoe on this list to come in widths. A great all around hiker.
Saucony Peregrine 6 – A more lightweight and nimble options, but with great traction and protection.
Brooks Cascadia 11 – An old faithful trail shoe. The Cascadia is legendary on the PCT, CDT, and AT."""
You can find article at: https://trailtopeak.com/2014/04/02/10-most-important-gear-items-to-bring-on-camino-de-santiago/You
The Salomon X Ultra 2 and the Salomon XA Pro 3D are great.
In the morning : http://www.gehwolfootcare.com/site/index.php/foot-cream
I start with applying this cream a month before departure.
After walk and after showering : http://www.gehwolfootcare.com/site/index.php/soft-feet-line
I'm in no way commercially involved with this company but just love their products.
My podiatrist also recommends them . Suitable for diabetics.
Thank you, I live in Slovakia currently and think this foot care product line is sold here.
I only had a very small amount of blisters by doing a number of things such as buying whool based socks before doing the Camino rather than cotton. I don't know why but I had read it somewhere and it was the best advice ever. Use breathable walking shoes also, I met someone that was getting A LOT of blisters in leather based walking boots. i also prevents blisters by drinking water little and often. At the end of each day I would massage my feet with Vaseline and put my bum towards the wall and rest my legs up against the wall, usually lying back on my bunk bed if it was against the wall. This is because you have been putting weight on these joints all day and they need a break and gravity helps take the fluid build up away from the feet. It felt so good to do at the end of each day and I used this time as a little rest up/meditation session. I would then rub my feet with Vaseline again before going to sleep at night and if there was a spare pillow I would sleep with my feet raised on it. When I did get blisters compede was my saviour, you cannot bring Enough compede!! I also wish that from the very first day I made sure to do a good 1/2 an hour warm up/stretch/cook down before and after walking as this prevents injuries which are going to make the next day miserable! I did a lot of damage to my hip on the first day by not warming up or cooling down and taking massive steps up the Pyrenees rather than shorter steps. Taking shorter steps is also better for preventing injury going down hill as well. Everyone finds their own little things/ tricks to do that suits them but I hope this helps!
Please be careful with Urea cream, it should never be applied to broken skin. So if you have pierced a blister or have a raw area stop using it on that foot.
I use compeed stick or more usually Olive oil. All these creams are used to keep the skin soft and supple to avoid the layers of skin sheering against each other. If you have patches of hard skin start working on getting rid of them before you start walking. Whilst walking, with any signs of hot spots or rubbing stop immediately and sort it out.(This applies to other areas that may rub raw not just the feet) make sure you put your socks on correctly as the seams are a common cause of chafing. Make sure your footwear will take it when your feet are swollen. that means you may need to wear thicker socks on day one than you do on day 20.
No! You can still get blisters on top of callouses, which are the worst kind of blisters.Well that brings up a question I've wondered about...do you let your callouses grow thick on your feet in preparation for a lot of walking?
If you have significant callouses on your feet, you should probably get some professional advice. You will get a complete range of opinion on the forum, ranging from "your feet should be soft as a baby" to "soak them in acid to develop callouses.".do you let your callouses grow thick on your feet in preparation for a lot of walking?
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
If you have significant callouses on your feet, you should probably get some professional advice. You will get a complete range of opinion on the forum, ranging from "your feet should be soft as a baby" to "soak them in acid to develop callouses."
Some mild thickening/hardening of the skin seems inevitable and okay to me, but not big callouses that will create new problems.
Here was my approach. I rubbed my feet down with petroleum jelly in the morning, including between all toes. I wore a liner pair and medium cushion pair of Smartwool socks. Every couple hours I would reapply petroleum jelly and change into dry socks. I would hang the socks I changed out of off the back of my pack with safety pins so they would dry out. After a couple more hours I would change back into those now dry socks and reapply petroleum jelly. I would make sure my feet were dry before applying petroleum jelly. The great thing about petroleum jelly is it works and it is readily available at any farmacia at low cost.I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
One thing that no one has mentioned... Keep your toe nails trimmed... After trimming with nail clippers, I use a file to "round" the edge of the nail so that there is no sharp edge to it. 955 miles/zero blisters last spring.
Big fan of Tea tree also. Did you apply it neat? or with water? if the latter, what was the ratio? also...what size of bottle did you bring for the whole camino? can't decide....thank youBeing Australian I am a big fan of tea tree oil. We used this before and after each days walk. It's also an antiseptic. Plus we had wool to put between our toes if needed. Neither of us got blisters. Best advice is to be aware of your whole body because an ache somewhere in your body can alter your gait and I think this might help cause blisters.
Nice. you gotta love some people!But please don't clip them inside, leaving the clippings on the floor next to my bed like that French guy did when I was in Los Arcos.
But please don't clip them inside, leaving the clippings on the floor next to my bed like that French guy did when I was in Los Arcos.
One of the things that We found really helpful was using carded wool on sensitive spots on our feet. Using good lotion, keeping toenails short and wrapping carded wool on sensitive areas saved us from getting any blisters on the Camino Frances. We've already bought our supply for the Portuguese Camino this spring.I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
200ml bottle 20% solution which you can use straight from the bottle. The concentrate would be lighter but you would have to dilute it with water. Tea tree oil is also a very good anti fungal treatment. Word of warning though some people might have a reaction to it so always test first. If you are in Australia they sell it at Aldi where it's cheaper.Big fan of Tea tree also. Did you apply it neat? or with water? if the latter, what was the ratio? also...what size of bottle did you bring for the whole camino? can't decide....thank you
One thing that no one has mentioned... Keep your toe nails trimmed... After trimming with nail clippers, I use a file to "round" the edge of the nail so that there is no sharp edge to it. 955 miles/zero blisters last spring.
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Just a tiny amount will do the job without leaving your foot feeling greasy. I swear by itWhy do so many people recommend Vaseline? I understand the creams because they absorb but Vaseline just seems to stay there in a gunky way.
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Also, never put on open/broken skin (thats what we are told here, Canada) if you know this to be different, please do say so. Found in drugstores and Superstore in Canada. Thank you Australia for making this magical liquid.....200ml bottle 20% solution which you can use straight from the bottle. The concentrate would be lighter but you would have to dilute it with water. Tea tree oil is also a very good anti fungal treatment. Word of warning though some people might have a reaction to it so always test first. If you are in Australia they sell it at Aldi where it's cheaper.
I am no expert, but I have regularly used tea tree oil for precisely disinfecting broken skin, as it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and 'magic'! Yes it hurts, but so do other antiseptics and with tea tree oil there are so many benefits. Off topic, but it is also great for veterinary use. The usual applies to a small test patch against allergies, though I have never heard of any.Also, never put on open/broken skin (thats what we are told here, Canada) if you know this to be different, please do say so. Found in drugstores and Superstore in Canada. Thank you Australia for making this magical liquid.....
Good to know. Regulations do vary from country to country...thank you.I am no expert, but I have regularly used tea tree oil for precisely disinfecting broken skin, as it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and 'magic'! Yes it hurts, but so do other antiseptics and with tea tree oil there are so many benefits. Off topic, but it is also great for veterinary use. The usual applies to a small test patch against allergies, though I have never heard of any.
I was fortunate to not have a blister so my foot care was minimal ie. shower, dry between toes, keep toenails short.
I did get the early morning camino hobble but elevating legs & feet at the end of the walking day helped with that. Have to admit the elevation didn't always happen (there are some very nice bars with good cerveza and even better company along the way). I like the advice from @BShea about cold water on feet at the end of a shower to reduce the swelling that is an inevitable result of walking long distances day after day. I'm going to try that next camino.
I agree with much of the above especially the bits about getting the right shoes, having as light a pack as possible and walking reasonable distances at your own pace because I think those were why I didn't get blisters.
It was my experience that the type of socks worn made very little difference. Sometimes I even walked in my thin silk evenings socks with no adverse consequences. I never either changed my socks or took my shoes off while walking regardless of the weather.
My walking companions did get blisters. Their best advice about foot care is to buy a small bottle of betadine or the Spanish equivalent and use it copiously when treating blisters. Compeed did not work for them. Visiting a medical centre in Carrion de los Condes to get blisters treated combined with buying new shoes was what turned the corner.
I'm with you Tigger - I use undiluted tea tree oil as my preferred antiseptic - it's natural of course and I find that cuts etc heal very quickly when I use the oil.I am no expert, but I have regularly used tea tree oil for precisely disinfecting broken skin, as it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and 'magic'! Yes it hurts, but so do other antiseptics and with tea tree oil there are so many benefits. Off topic, but it is also great for veterinary use. The usual applies to a small test patch against allergies, though I have never heard of any.
This the best information I could find about it, and even then there are very fewGood to know. Regulations do vary from country to country...thank you.
Yes, Jennie and if you have a cold ( like with the other great stuff eucalyptus oil) you can make an infusion with a couple of drops in boiling water and the smell and vapour clears your sinuses!I'm with you Tigger - I use undiluted tea tree oil as my preferred antiseptic - it's natural of course and I find that cuts etc heal very quickly when I use the oil.
The directions on the bottle of oil advise applying the oil sparingly.
The plus with using the oil is that it's clear, unlike Betadine which stains - those stains wash out but they do look a little unsightly.
View attachment 32036
The smallest bottle of tea tree oil you can buy is 10ml - tiny, and a perfect size to pop into a blister kit (excuse the pun!) on the Camino.
Cheers - Jenny
That would be nice but I'm leaving a few weeks after you.Thanks HedaP, I'm arriving SJPP March 18th mid day and heading out Sunday March 19th for Valcarlos (first day for me, taking it slow). Any chance we'll meet along the way? Ive got a magenta (fuschia) Millet backpack !
Thank you, Lolaisqueen. Your advice makes sense to me.Just a tiny amount will do the job without leaving your foot feeling greasy. I swear by it
Hi
I used to apply Gerlach's GEHWOL EXTRA foot cream every day after I had finished my walk. It became a nice daily routine, finish walk, shower etc and then tend to my feet with the cream, give them a "once over", make sure everything was ok. You can buy the cream from Amazon if like me you cannot get it locally.
Cream smells nice, easily rubbed in and even that action I found good for my feet. It can be applied before a walk but in truth although I did try this, I usually didn't bother with that, but that was personal choice.
There is lots of good advice on here already, keep clean dry socks accessible, try not to walk with wet feet if possible, take the chance to give your feet fresh air, in the evening raise your legs etc. In truth in the afternoons/early evenings you will find yourself sat in small groups/circles with other peregrinos chatting and looking after your feet. It's all part of the journey.
Enjoy.
This is the link for Amazon UK. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BHMEXK8/?tag=casaivar-21
Thank you. This is very helpful as I have a triple E width and have looking for Brands.Hand-in-hand with foot care is what shoes/boots.
I no longer wear boots. Here is a list of recommended Camino foot wear from below cited article:
"""Here is my list of recommended Camino Footwear:
La Sportiva Akasha *Top Pick*- Great grip, cushion, and precision. A little warm in the summer.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor – Great grip, comfort, and breathability. A little narrow.
La Sportiva Mutant – Great for muddy trails in the Fall or Spring. A little warm for summer.
Nike Wildhorse 3 *Top Pick*- Great all around performer. Perfect for 3 season hiking.
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 – Great for wide feet and those prone to blisters.
Merrell All Out Peak – Another great all around performer in 3 seasons.
Hoka One One Speed Instinct – Great cushion with dual density midsole.
Salomon Wings Pro 2 *Top Pick*- Perfect stability and protection, with great grip and durability.
Salomon Sense Pro 2 – For those looking for a less structured Wings Pro 2.
Salomon XA Pro 3D *Top Pick*- A beast of a hiker. I wore these on the John Muir Trail and Tour du Mont Blanc.
Salomon X Ultra 2 *Top Pick*- Another beast of a hiker. Similar to the XA Pro 3D, but a much more aggressive outsole.
New Balance Leadville 3 – Only shoe on this list to come in widths. A great all around hiker.
Saucony Peregrine 6 – A more lightweight and nimble options, but with great traction and protection.
Brooks Cascadia 11 – An old faithful trail shoe. The Cascadia is legendary on the PCT, CDT, and AT."""
You can find article at: https://trailtopeak.com/2014/04/02/10-most-important-gear-items-to-bring-on-camino-de-santiago/You
The Salomon X Ultra 2 and the Salomon XA Pro 3D are great.
This topic is most useful. I'm concerned about weight of pack and if perhaps, as recommended on a previous blog, I can succeed with one pair of super comfortable SAS tripod sandals that I hike in now - just hiked 16 miles. I'm hoping to do the Camino Frances late August/all September and hoping terrain is moderate. Prefer my feet to breathe. Have Timberland shoes but leaning not to take them for they add weight. Any input for a 72-year-old novice that loves to move. Thank you, JMPColette:
I have walked six Camino's and only had one blister.
I can tell you my routine but that does not necessarily mean it will work for you.
Buy a good pair of shoes with vibram soles and break them in with approximately 50 miles of walking before leaving.
Walk three consecutive days of at least 10 km's before departure to acclimate your feet to consecutive days of walking. This also will indicate improper shoe fit or problem areas.
The day before I leave I cut my toe nails. If nails get too long it can create a problem on the downhills with your toe nails hitting the front of the shoe causing bruising or in some cases loss of toe nail.
I rub Vaseline into my feet each morning and after my shower in the evening. I do not slather it on but rub it in.
I wear two pairs of socks. A medium pair of Smartwool socks and a light pair.
If I feel the slightest rub or friction, I stop and address the issue. The one blister I did get was walking through deep snow. It was unexpected, my feet got wet and there was no place to stop.
This works for me.
Ultreya,
Joe
Hi there, you have some good advice here!! I did 240km in 10 days....blisters from day 3 and it was not nice!!! Sort your foot routine before you start. What i will do next time (soon!! Even blisters did not steal the camino magic):
•vaseline rub each morning and evening (friction was the cause of some of my blisters)
•my feet were badly swollen and limited space inside my Nike air pegasus was limited, once i took the inner sole out there was relief, so next time i will walk with one size bigger shoes and elevation of feet during coffee breaks
•take along thin tissue like plastering for when you feel something starting....
Enjoy and buen camino!!! Sending you a blister free blessing from South Africa!!
In my opinion this is the wrong way round. Footcare before you walk at the beginning of the day. Put a strip of surgical tape across the area behind your toes. Then apply a thin layer of Vaseline or similar on your foot. Very thin inner socks then walking socks. I did 800s and not one blister. Important to never shower in the morning as it softens your feet.I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
In my opinion this is the wrong way round. Footcare before you walk at the beginning of the day. Put a strip of surgical tape across the area behind your toes. The apply a thin layer of Vaseline or similar on your foot. Very thin inner socks then walking socks. I did 800s and not one blister. Important to never shower in the morning as it softens your feet.
just go into any pharmacy and buy a roll of surgical tape. Low tack so peels off easily at night.WOW. GREAT TO READ THIS. WHAT IS THIS SURGICAL TAPE CALLED AT A STORE?
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Being Australian I am a big fan of tea tree oil. We used this before and after each days walk. It's also an antiseptic. Plus we had wool to put between our toes if needed. Neither of us got blisters. Best advice is to be aware of your whole body because an ache somewhere in your body can alter your gait and I think this might help cause blisters.
I started walking 15 Sept. Sandals will be fine. You will need socks towards the end especially in the mornings, you also need to reconcile yourself to having wet feet at times but thats all OK. If worried get yourself a pair of waterproof socks. I havent walked with these but have seen them recommended. IMO it is far more important to walk without blisters than it is to walk with dry feet.THIS TOPIC IS MOST USEFUL. I’M CONCERNED ABOUT WEIGHT OF PACK AND IF PERHAPS, AS RECOMMENDED ON A PREVIOUS BLOG, I CAN SUCCEED WITH ONE PAIR OF SUPER COMFORTABLE SAS TRIPOD SANDALS THAT I HIKE IN NOW--JUST HIKED 16 MILES. I’M HOPING TO DO THE CAMINO FRANCES LATE AUGUST/ALL SEPTEMBER AND HOPING TERRAIN IS MODERATE. PREFER MY FEET TO BREATHE. HAVE TIMBERLAND SHOES BUT LEANING NOT TO TAKE THEM FOR THEY ADD WEIGHT. ANY INPUT FOR A 72-YEAR-OLD NOVICE THAT LOVES TO MOVE. THANK YOU, JMB
I posted my thoughts on Camino foot care on my blog. Take a look if you're interested at https://sandiegotosantiago.com/2015/05/05/camino-foot-care/I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
I found Aquaphor foot ointment really good. Non sticky and didn't clog up socks. Used with very thin under socks it worked brilliantly. Not one blister in 800 ks. Totally agree with larger boots. I take uk 10 and wore uk 11 Gortex boots.Your feet will swell in the heat with day after day of walking so having shoes/boots at least a half size bigger is essential. I chose my Salomons with two pairs of socks on - one merino inner (same weight as business socks) and one merino sports sock (which equated to aUK size and a half bigger). By the end of the first day there was clearly too much sock in the boot, so I swapped out to a tiny pair of Asics polyester liners plus one light merino layer - and carried two new pairs of sports socks all the way to Santiago. Feet also swell more if you are dehydrated and/or don't elevate them at all. Swollen feet create pressure points. If your feet have hot spots or anything hurts, it will save time in the long run to stop and attend to them and maybe even have a rest day with bare feet or do very short stages for a while. I did get blisters eventually by ignoring the signals and keeping on walking...
Not at days end, before you start each morning is when to treat your feet. I put Umguentum de Peregrino ointment on my feet each morning and coupled with good socks, got one blister on three caminos and that was because I stopped to put some on in Hornillos one morning, got distracted and left it behind me. Some people use vaseline but it does not contain campher to toughen the feet and aloe vera to help cure existing problems. The hospitalera in Cizur Menor recommends the use of VickI would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
In the morning : http://www.gehwolfootcare.com/site/index.php/foot-cream
I start with applying this cream a month before departure.
After walk and after showering : http://www.gehwolfootcare.com/site/index.php/soft-feet-line
I'm in no way commercially involved with this company but just love their products.
My podiatrist also recommends them . Suitable for diabetics.
Thanks for the information! I noticed the Foot Cream is 4.4 oz which is too much for carry on for plane. I could not tell the weight of the Foot Scrub. Do you know what it is? Also, are these products available on the Camino?
I will look into these products. Thanks again!
Hi Ray,Why do so many people recommend Vaseline? I understand the creams because they absorb but Vaseline just seems to stay there in a gunky way.
Even after walking thousands of kms around the world I am still prone to getting blisters if I don't take care. I think every long distance walker works out the best footcare regime for them. Nowadays I always use surgical tape on the spots where I am blister prone and some vaseline - never a blister!
As for the end of the day - boots off, feet up and a cold beer work best for me.
Honestly, I have simplistic approach. Compeed is the Devil. That shit takes the skin off your blisters, whether they're broken or not. Vaseline does very little. The bet thing I found was that, the moment I felt a hotspot, a burny little Future Blister, I stopped, sat down, and covered it with a bandaid with a fabric top. It transfers the friction to between the sock and the bandaid whily the previously irritated skin stays safe. In terms of broken blisters, an iodine solution (quick-drying) and a fabric bandaid. Ice is excellent for muscle pain and pr-cursor shinsplints. And really, keep those buggers pre-cursor. The KT Tape website gives wicked tutorials for taping muscle stress, including shinsplints. I'm not paid to say this stuff... but two years ago kinetic tape kept me walking.I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Hi Ray,
It is all about avoiding friction for me. Vaseline seems to provide a barrier between my socks and my tissue-paper feet. I have terrible struggles with blisters, no matter how broke my boots - I always have. Last year I tried Vicks, a mentholated petroleum jelly. I liked the cool feeling and I used it for chaffing, bug bites, and just a touch under my nose when sleeping. Vicks is kind of strong, so its not for everybody.
Thank you, ChristineW67. You make a lot of sense. But, honestly, Vicks. That is some powerful multipurpose stuff.Hi Ray,
It is all about avoiding friction for me. Vaseline seems to provide a barrier between my socks and my tissue-paper feet. I have terrible struggles with blisters, no matter how broke my boots - I always have. Last year I tried Vicks, a mentholated petroleum jelly. I liked the cool feeling and I used it for chaffing, bug bites, and just a touch under my nose when sleeping. Vicks is kind of strong, so its not for everybody.
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
I really can't add anything to what's already been said. I did a lot of what everyone else did, (i.e. take socks and boots off to air them out every two hours during the day, etc.) but one thing I would add is to make sure you don't shower in the mornings, because that makes your feet 'soft' before you start walking for the day which leaves you open to blisters. Also, there are some albergues that offer massages so be sure to take full advantage of that. One thing I did was to lay in my bunk for about 10-15 mins with my feet propped up and then switched into flip flops post-shower for walking around town which allowed them to air out. Also, if your boots get soaked during the day, you could stuff them with newspaper which will help to dry them out. Starting the day with soggy boots was horrible, and I even went as far as wearing plastic bags on my feet one day because I couldn't stand the feeling of water schloshing through my toes! They also sell ibuprofen in the form of a foot cream (different than Voltaren I think) and that also did wonders to sooth sore, tired feet. I also took 600gms of ibuprofen orally which helped keep inflammation at bay.
I am soooo envious....buen Camino!
I just had to add post 91 to this string.I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Compeed will take the skin off if you don't read the directions and try to remove it too soon.Honestly, I have simplistic approach. Compeed is the Devil. That shit takes the skin off your blisters, whether they're broken or not. Vaseline does very little. The bet thing I found was that, the moment I felt a hotspot, a burny little Future Blister, I stopped, sat down, and covered it with a bandaid with a fabric top. It transfers the friction to between the sock and the bandaid whily the previously irritated skin stays safe. In terms of broken blisters, an iodine solution (quick-drying) and a fabric bandaid. Ice is excellent for muscle pain and pr-cursor shinsplints. And really, keep those buggers pre-cursor. The KT Tape website gives wicked tutorials for taping muscle stress, including shinsplints. I'm not paid to say this stuff... but two years ago kinetic tape kept me walking.
That's about it, except just for God's sakes stop when you need to.
A little, but important clarification is that "Compeed will take the skin off if you don't read the directions and if you do try to remove it to soon."Compeed will take the skin off if you don't read the directions and try to remove it too soon.
Something that hydrates the skin after walking and overnight: vaseline, udder cream, urea cream - whichever works best for you. A 5 min loving massage of each foot while applying product will help tooThanks I tried on many of the Salomón recommendation however I strongly believe it's foot specific, I have well broken in Salomón ultralight boot and am breaking in new Salomón Effect GTX hiking shoe ( I leave for the CF in 4 weeks), I'll decide near departure date which I'll take. My question is specifically foot care during and at end of day.
During the day, I switched from creams/vaseline to talcum powder mid-Camino (Francés). It was much more effective.Something that hydrates the skin after walking and overnight: vaseline, udder cream, urea cream - whichever works best for you. A 5 min loving massage of each foot while applying product will help too
Thanks, since my original post, I’ve now walked 2 x 1000km Caminos and within a week I’m heading out for the short Camino Ingles. As a former oncologist we recommended udder cream so your comment brought back memories and a smile. In the end Vick’s Vapour rub has worked best for me. It’s easily available in Spain so no need to carry a large cbtsiner from home. Thanks again.Something that hydrates the skin after walking and overnight: vaseline, udder cream, urea cream - whichever works best for you. A 5 min loving massage of each foot while applying product will help too
I would appreciate hearing from veterans about a concrete daily foot care plan once arriving at an Albergue at day's end (i.e., cold water/icing, massage, Voltaren cream, etc) that will minimize injury, blisters, etc.Thank you
Sorry, I'm not gonna carryHere's the answer:
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