Just returned from the CF last week and thought I'd pass along some medical tips that became essential.
I fell into one of those nasty thorn bushes that line the trail. Plucking the thorns out was bad enough but there was also a full blown allergic reaction to either the thorns or the oils on the leaves. It took just seconds for the hives to break out and a few minutes before the sore throat and tightening began. Fortunately, I wasn't alone but anyone hiking the Camino should probably have the basics to take care of an allergic reaction.
I am allergic to bees so always carry an epi pen but for backpacking trips, I usually carry quite a bit more. The pack was quickly thrown to the ground and I grabbed the first aid kit and epi pen from the top pocket of my Osprey Talon 33. Claritin was popped first because it acts fast; this was followed by Benedryl. Granted, a double antihistamine may have been overkill but I wasn't taking any chances. Prednisone was next and the epi pen was in my hand, ready to go. I got as much of the oil/thorns/tiny nettles off my skin with a HandiWipe. Within a few minutes, things were tolerable and we were able to walk to the next village, about a km away. As much as I hated to do it, we called a cab for the rest of the day's trek to Pamplona, checked into a hotel and spent a day recuperating.
Everyone always says not to bring a ton of equipment on the Camino because there are pharmacies everywhere. That doesn't do a lot of good when you are between towns and having an emergency. Better rely on yourself and have the needed gear ready to go.
Here's our first aid list:
1. Epi pen
2. Prednisone (Steroid)
3. Benedryl (sedating antihistamine)
4. Claritin (non-sedating antihistamine)
5. Broad spectrum antibiotics (usually a z pack or Augmentin)
6. Zofran (vomiting)
7. Lomotil (diarrhea)
8. Ibuprofen
9. Afrin
10. Blister treatments (Compeed)
11. Wounds: Steri strips, benzoin, polysporin, bandaids, etc.
12. HandiWipes (useful for getting the thorns/oils off the skin)
13. Latex gloves in case we helped others
14. Tweezers
15. Ace wrap
16. New addition: business card with local taxi number!
All of this fit in the smallest Eagle Creek new ultra-light sack and stayed in the top of the pack with a headlamp. On an ideal trip, it will never be used. But on this Camino, the weather was cold and rainy and we had everything from blisters to the allergic reaction to a sinus infection that brewed into a nasty chest infection. I would drop the weight from another area rather than be without medical supplies.
After this experience, we always got a card with a taxi number from where we were staying so we could call a cab in the middle of the day if there were any problems. Wish I had thought of it before because we had to look around for someone to help us find a taxi.
If there are brownie points for suffering pilgrims, think I earned a few on this trip!
I fell into one of those nasty thorn bushes that line the trail. Plucking the thorns out was bad enough but there was also a full blown allergic reaction to either the thorns or the oils on the leaves. It took just seconds for the hives to break out and a few minutes before the sore throat and tightening began. Fortunately, I wasn't alone but anyone hiking the Camino should probably have the basics to take care of an allergic reaction.
I am allergic to bees so always carry an epi pen but for backpacking trips, I usually carry quite a bit more. The pack was quickly thrown to the ground and I grabbed the first aid kit and epi pen from the top pocket of my Osprey Talon 33. Claritin was popped first because it acts fast; this was followed by Benedryl. Granted, a double antihistamine may have been overkill but I wasn't taking any chances. Prednisone was next and the epi pen was in my hand, ready to go. I got as much of the oil/thorns/tiny nettles off my skin with a HandiWipe. Within a few minutes, things were tolerable and we were able to walk to the next village, about a km away. As much as I hated to do it, we called a cab for the rest of the day's trek to Pamplona, checked into a hotel and spent a day recuperating.
Everyone always says not to bring a ton of equipment on the Camino because there are pharmacies everywhere. That doesn't do a lot of good when you are between towns and having an emergency. Better rely on yourself and have the needed gear ready to go.
Here's our first aid list:
1. Epi pen
2. Prednisone (Steroid)
3. Benedryl (sedating antihistamine)
4. Claritin (non-sedating antihistamine)
5. Broad spectrum antibiotics (usually a z pack or Augmentin)
6. Zofran (vomiting)
7. Lomotil (diarrhea)
8. Ibuprofen
9. Afrin
10. Blister treatments (Compeed)
11. Wounds: Steri strips, benzoin, polysporin, bandaids, etc.
12. HandiWipes (useful for getting the thorns/oils off the skin)
13. Latex gloves in case we helped others
14. Tweezers
15. Ace wrap
16. New addition: business card with local taxi number!
All of this fit in the smallest Eagle Creek new ultra-light sack and stayed in the top of the pack with a headlamp. On an ideal trip, it will never be used. But on this Camino, the weather was cold and rainy and we had everything from blisters to the allergic reaction to a sinus infection that brewed into a nasty chest infection. I would drop the weight from another area rather than be without medical supplies.
After this experience, we always got a card with a taxi number from where we were staying so we could call a cab in the middle of the day if there were any problems. Wish I had thought of it before because we had to look around for someone to help us find a taxi.
If there are brownie points for suffering pilgrims, think I earned a few on this trip!
