Darren John
Member
The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
Much Thanks
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Hi Darren ,The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
Yeeay for Pepto Bismol; I volunteer in India every year and while others spend a fortune on preventative remedies, I learned my first year, that good ol' PB was all I needed.Foot care items
Neosporin
A couple of Bandaids
NSAID
Pepto Bismal tablets
Hi thereI packed polysporin & moleskin, I actually packed a good amount, & it was used on many others. I had a 24" x12" When I started had a 2" square when I was done. But it sure helped a good many to keep walking. I was supprised by the amount of folks that had no idea how to take care of blisters.
i had heard about moleskin but thought maybe it was just a plaster, but an american lady gave me a little bit to cover a mole that the straps on my bag kept rubbing, it stuck like glue but felt like velvet.i have not seen it here in ireland, it was a wonderful thing,Hi there
I keep hearing bout moleskin? what is this?
It is a dressing on one side (Against skin)has a sticky side the other a brown smooth side that any friction areas just slide.Hi there
I keep hearing bout moleskin? what is this?
I have included a small vial of matches in my backpack. I think from what I read, the important time to attend to this, is at the first sign of a hot spot or the least bit of pain or irritation. Forum members also mention Compede (sp?) quite often, so not sure you can get it in Ireland, but you sure could in Spain….It is a dressing on one side (Against skin)has a sticky side the other a brown smooth side that any friction areas just slide.
The key to using it is you must drain the blister before, you apply it. This is were people get in trouble as you must wash your foot & hands before attempting to drain the blister.
The needle, scissors, knife or tool of choice must be cleaned & sterilized by fire ( I use a buetain cigar lighter) the tool of choice must be very sharp. Then the blister punctured only deep enough to drain. It must be drained as much as possible. Then Neosporin or equivalent put on the wound. Followed by the mole skin cut to size on top.
The problem was the folks with no history of hiking would not check there feet until the pain became very bad. The results huge bloody blisters. When the blister takes up over 1/4 of the bottom of the foot you best stop & take a day to get it fixed. So to fix them early on will keep you moving.
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co...l-c45/moleskin-pre-cut-blister-dressings-p173Hi there
I keep hearing bout moleskin? what is this?
I took strips of breathable Elastoplast, scissors to cut it and for toe nails, savlon, and knee support bandages all of which I used but only a little. I also took paracetamol and used a couple of times for mild headaches. I also took a few antiseptic wipes, compeed and a bandage none of which I used.The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
There is plenty of discussion elsewhere in the forum about the pros and cons of different blister treatments. So far as I can find, draining them is not recommended by any competent first aid authority as a preferred approach to blister treatment. The approach risks infection because the needle or blade being used will not be properly sterilised and the puncture wound created is a potential entry point for infection. If you do think you will want to take this approach, speak to your local pharmacist about obtaining a few sterile syringe needles, and make sure you treat and monitor the wound site after the treatment.The key to using it is you must drain the blister before, you apply it. This is were people get in trouble as you must wash your foot & hands before attempting to drain the blister.
The needle, scissors, knife or tool of choice must be cleaned & sterilized by fire ( I use a buetain cigar lighter) the tool of choice must be very sharp. Then the blister punctured only deep enough to drain. It must be drained as much as possible. Then Neosporin or equivalent put on the wound. Followed by the mole skin cut to size on top.
Yes the cleaner the better. Not everyone can operate on themselves either. As it is not always painless.There is plenty of discussion elsewhere in the forum about the pros and cons of different blister treatments. So far as I can find, draining them is not recommended by any competent first aid authority as a preferred approach to blister treatment. The approach risks infection because the needle or blade being used will not be properly sterilised and the puncture wound created is a potential entry point for infection. If you do think you will want to take this approach, speak to your local pharmacist about obtaining a few sterile syringe needles, and make sure you treat and monitor the wound site after the treatment.
Yeeay for Pepto Bismol; I volunteer in India every year and while others spend a fortune on preventative remedies, I learned my first year, that good ol' PB was all I needed.
Pepto Bismol can be used for heartburn, nausea, upset stomach and or diarrhea. Ingredients include Bismuth, Subsalicylate and calcium carbonate; likely not to be found in a natural food store, but it always worked for me when I needed it, which might have been 4/5 times in the nine years I've been volunteering in India.What is PB? Thanks!
Hi there
I keep hearing bout moleskin? what is this?
The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
There is plenty of discussion elsewhere in the forum about the pros and cons of different blister treatments. So far as I can find, draining them is not recommended by any competent first aid authority as a preferred approach to blister treatment. The approach risks infection because the needle or blade being used will not be properly sterilised and the puncture wound created is a potential entry point for infection. If you do think you will want to take this approach, speak to your local pharmacist about obtaining a few sterile syringe needles, and make sure you treat and monitor the wound site after the treatment.
I work in a hospital & have tried scalpels the only problem with them is when you are being a contortionist to do the cut. They are so sharp you could slip in the contortionist pose., maybe lop off a toe... They are great if you are working on someone else.I'm taking some sterile disposable scalpels and some betadine wipes.
I totally support the recommendation NOT to drain blisters until they do so naturally. It must raise the risk of infection. However, on my last camino I got a big painful blister on my baby toe. It was clearly expanding its territory around the toe because I was WALKING on it, and the fluid had to go somewhere. The wise recommendation would of course be to stop walking for a day or two. I understood that, but decided to take the risk of draining it so it would stop expanding (and it did). I did take special care to sterilize everything with alcohol and I watched it carefully.to prevent further injury. That means draining the blister or stop walking.
It is not the only treatment, and in my view should be seen as a last resort, not as the first option for treatment.Yeah, and one of the aims of first aid is to prevent further injury. That means draining the blister or stop walking.
The Camino draws closer everyday and today question is about what should be in your first aid kit?
Much Thanks
Pepto Bismol has always been my choice for this ….I once saw someone with a severe reaction to Imodium so I ruled it out from the start. Everone's system is different of course.Imo
Imodium . . . you can't walk if you get the "trots" ) and if you need it you need it NOW and not 10 clicks down the way at the next pharmacy (if it's open)
Good point, wouldn't want to cutoff a toe since blisters could arise in an awkward place. Will see how I can get a few sterile hypodermic needles. Seems it would be impossible to sterilize all of a needle not to mention thread.I work in a hospital & have tried scalpels the only problem with them is when you are being a contortionist to do the cut. They are so sharp you could slip in the contortionist pose., maybe lop off a toe... They are great if you are working on someone else.
I like real sharp scissors with very short blades & needles. I don't use thread as it just seems to possibly pull in bacteria.
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Good point, wouldn't want to cutoff a toe since blisters could arise in an awkward place. Will see how I can get a few sterile hypodermic needles. Seems it would be impossible to sterilize all of a needle not to mention thread.
I just used an Engo patch on my insole after getting a Hotspot in the area just the left of the ball of my left foot. It helped to reduce the friction and my foot was fine. I'm bringing some with me on my csmino.