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) |
---|
This is one hint that I really do recommend. After my first mini 8 day Camino, when my heels were full of blisters, back home I researched on internet and found advice (actually for ballet dancers)! Soak your feet in a strong tea solution several times a day for at least 2 weeks before you set off. Apart from changing my boots, I'm convinced this worked for me: Twice the Camino Francés with only one tiny blister on a toe to show for it (completely my fault, becuase my insoles were not put in the boots correctly). AnnePilgrimChris said:A more 'permanent' though for some, drastic solution is to spend time toughening up your feet.
Last year we did a mini Camino from Ourense to Santiago. 5 days of rain and we literally sloshed into Santiago. There was no way that we could have tried to take off our boots and change the socks. The boots were sodden (both our pairs supposed to be waterproof). Anyway result was - no blisters. I will continue with what I think is best for me: soak my feet in tea solution for the previous two weeks before walking, put vaseline on feet each morning, have gel heel pads in boots,(Merrells, which now I think are a really good pair) keep my pack down to 10% of my body weight - and hope for the best. I should add here that Adriaan takes no measures to look after his feet and has never had even the beginning of a blister, that's after twice Roncevalles/Santiago, plus our "mini" last year! AnneKiwiNomad06 said:We're all different. Compeed + a day off worked exquisitely well for me.
And sometimes, when you most need to take shoes off- eg on a day with rain that runs like rivers on the tracks so that your feet/shoes/socks are saturated- then you can't actually stop to air your feet cos you will get too cold.....
Margaret
LJAA said:I have been looking at the 1000 mile sock website. There are a variety of socks available but I didn't see any short ones.
I am interested in short socks that are wicking and dry quickly and anything that will assist in the prevention of blisters. Which model are the two layer socks please?
Carole said:I live in Quebec...We do not have compeed
Sojourner47 said:I agree with Bocadillo Boy - 1000 mile socks plus vaseline every time.I've tried the one thin,one thick socks regime with some success (1000 mile are 2 pairs anyway), and the walking barefoot beforehand etc. Most important not to have too tightfitting shoes - your feet will swell after a few hours tarmac pounding,then blisters are inevitable...
(try on new shoes after 2 or 3 hours walking...)
Sojourner47 said:Sojourner47 said:Did the needle and thread stuff, plus elastoplast covering, and got blisters on top of blisters etc.
Caminando said:... this idea of threading blisters is as valuable as the medieval practice of bleeding or leeching sick patients.
It invites infection, obviously, and anecdotal comment about its efficacity is unhelpful.
renegadepilgrim said:Caminando said:... this idea of threading blisters is as valuable as the medieval practice of bleeding or leeching sick patients.
It invites infection, obviously, and anecdotal comment about its efficacity is unhelpful.
I'll be sure to inform my doctors I work with that placing a "wick" of packing gauze in wounds they have drained of fluid invites infection. I'll also be sure to let my trauma surgeons know to stop using leeches on reattached limbs and maggots in infected wounds, since it's so "medieval". I'm sure they will be enlightened by your medical knowledge.
Threading a blister is no more of an invitation for infection than waiting for the blister to pop itself and then walk on it. Everyone has their opinions on blister care and very rarely is it based on scientific evidence. Most first aid sites (as well as my medical training through work and school) advise to pop the blister using a sterile needle, draining the fluid, place antibiotic ointment over the wound and cover it. Some even suggest putting a ring of moleskin around it to protect the blister from getting bigger and protect the pressure point.
Just come prepared with a foot care kit so that if you do develop blisters, you will be prepared to take care of yourself. If you don't use it, leave it behind in a free box at an albergue.
Caminando said:As you yourself rightly say, your opinions on blisters are not "based on scientific evidence". I fully agree with "most first aid sites" you mention, about popping the blister etc etc. It's good to see that this advice was taught to you in training, and importantly, please note, that there is no mention of threading blisters.They recommend, you say, an antiseptic and a cover on the wound. Why? let me tell you...to stop infection; this is precisely why I say threading it is unwise. You are introducing a foreign body to the wound with a thread. :idea: This easily transports infection.
renegadepilgrim said:Caminando said:As you yourself rightly say, your opinions on blisters are not "based on scientific evidence". I fully agree with "most first aid sites" you mention, about popping the blister etc etc. It's good to see that this advice was taught to you in training, and importantly, please note, that there is no mention of threading blisters.They recommend, you say, an antiseptic and a cover on the wound. Why? let me tell you...to stop infection; this is precisely why I say threading it is unwise. You are introducing a foreign body to the wound with a thread. :idea: This easily transports infection.
I hope you never have a nasty purulent abscess cause you're gonna freak out when the doctor incises and drains it and sticks a "thread" in it.....aka a "wick" aka packing. Why do they do this? To drain the fluid in the wound. Point being, thread in a blister is not going to invite infection. The treatment for an abscess (which is similar to a blister, only it usually has purulent fluid indicating infection, whereas a blister is usually clear fluid, NOT indicating infection) is the same as how some people treat a blister on the Camino. Open it up, drain it, put a wick in it so the purulent fluid has a place to go, away from the inside of the wound. Abscesses, like blisters heal from the INSIDE outward. The logic behind threading a blister is similar. If you open a blister, drain it and put antibiotic ointment on it, you run the risk of the blister resealing itself and filling with fluid AGAIN. I have yet to hear any anecdotal evidence of infection as a result of threading a blister on the Camino....perhaps you should have read what I said, but then again....you're always right.
Personally, I don't care what people do with regards to blisters. I know what worked (and didn't work) for me. My experience is going to be completely different than the next ten people that ask about blister care. Everyone is different. Everyone has varying opinions. Same goes with backpacks, boots, socks, how heavy your pack is, what the role of technology is on the Camino....yada yada....ultimately, it all comes down to personal choice and knowing yourself and your abilities. On the camino, there were varying opinions on how to treat blisters. Everyone will tell you how to take care of them. Some of the advice is good, some of it is bad. Just like here on the forum, though I like to think most of the advice here is good and very little, if any, is bad advice.
Caminando said:Thanks Rev - it was good to read your expanded opinion, some of which is useful.
LTfit said:Could someone please explain how the Mefix and Medipore are used (and which sizes suggested)? I Googled the both and it looks as if the Mefix is just a covering (no gauze) and the Medipore is a type of band-aid.
falcon269 said:I cut my backpacking teeth in the Sierra Nevada in the days when we used leather street shoes.
snip
Visualize Yosemite Sam here, slappin' his knee and spittin' from 'neath his handlebar mustache...
This advice is completely contrary to the conventional wisdom on buying hiking boots, ie to ensure that you are wearing the same or similar thickness socks to those you plan to use. One should also shop for boots as late in the day as possible, having walked as much as possible. This will give your feet a chance to spread out, which they will do more after a few days walking. Doing both goes some way to ensuring that you don't get boots might be great for a few days, but will be too tight for longer multi-day walks.whariwharangi said:When you go to buy boots wear the thinnest pair of socks.
On heavy leather, yes I agree. However certainly here in the UK we can buy lightweight leather hiking boots which are good for the Camino. We wear them quite happily with no blisters.Gilespenn said:....... I came to the conclusion that heavy duty leather hiking boots on the Camino are the problem. .....
dougfitz said:This advice is completely contrary to the conventional wisdom on buying hiking boots, ie to ensure that you are wearing the same or similar thickness socks to those you plan to use. One should also shop for boots as late in the day as possible, having walked as much as possible. This will give your feet a chance to spread out, which they will do more after a few days walking. Doing both goes some way to ensuring that you don't get boots might be great for a few days, but will be too tight for longer multi-day walks.whariwharangi said:When you go to buy boots wear the thinnest pair of socks.
I have never had a problem detecting the pressure points wearing the thicker socks I use trekking. I also use a thin liner sock, although I have never considered just wearing the liner to see if there are pressure points I haven't already been able to detect.whariwharangi said:The problem with wearing thick socks when you go to try boots is that your feet will not feel the pressure points.
Yes, they are!!!they are not talking about construction-type duct tape?
They are. See the discussion around http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/medical-issues-on-the-pilgrimage/topic16852.html#p122682. I provided a couple of links there that show how gaffer tape might be used. Of course, one could also use sports strapping tape, but gaffer tape is often more readily available, and much cheaper.sergeantmajormammy said:When people talk about 'duct tape' (prompted tonight by TrishAlexSage's blog) are they talking about a special medicinal type of 'duct tape' - I presume they are not talking about construction-type duct tape?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?