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AND on my return.While I agree with getting a pedicure before a Camino, like share Jillgat's concern. I suffer from blood accumulating under really thick calluses on both heels. This congenital condition nearly led to infection and terminating my first Camino in 2013. In 2018, the same issue led to an interruption and an enforced rest stop. Both times, I had to seek medical intervention to repair my heels before I could continue.
It is neither my boots, socks, or insoles. It is rather the particularly odd geometry of my right foot. It is about 9 degrees off-center to the right, and has a more pronounced pronation as compared to the left foot. It drove my drill instructors batty in basic training many years ago. While the left foot was standing rigidly at attention, my left foot was 'at ease.' Sir, I was made from spare parts SIR!
I was born that way and have had callus issues my entire life. It is too late to fix it surgically. So, I cope as best I can. It just requires regular observation and attention to detail.
One of the things I do is to have a proper pedicure monthly while home. Recently, I have accrued a new podiatrist. So, the future plan is to have the doctor give my feet a once over shortly before my next and future Caminos.
Good advice.There's a buzz in other forums/FB pages about getting pedicures before walking the camino and I'd like to offer my two cents. I suggest getting a "mini-pedi', not a full pedicure. Please do have your nails trimmed and cuticles checked, but do not allow the pedicurist to scrape off all of the callous from under your feet. You need that tough skin to walk the upcoming miles. Fresh, exposed skin without protection will be subject to blisters. Secondly, Please do not get polish/laquer on your toe nails. If you have an extreme injury,medical professionals check for perfusion on your nail beds. You also want to be able to see any bruising or trauma yourself to address it right away. And it goes without saying you need to see if your nails/toes are clean to avoid infection. Painted piggies may look pretty, but save that pedicure for your return home !
I tended to the blisters of a poor walker rom Ireland. She had no idea the extent of trauma to her big toe after a long day of downhill until the pus oozed from beneath her pretty pink nail. Gross.
I watched a peregrina doing foot maintenance in Arzua after a few days of blisters from Sarria. She did her toenail polish before attending to her suppurating blisters. I mean, what is a few more minutes of pain if your nails look bad?You also want to be able to see any bruising or trauma yourself to address it right away. And it goes without saying you need to see if your nails/toes are clean to avoid infection. Painted piggies may look pretty, but save that pedicure for your return home !
Compeed isn't designed to be used to prevent blisters, and should only be used on deroofed blisters. https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/blister-blog/how-to-use-hydrocolloid-dressings And it's pretty expensive for that use. A roll of Omnifix stretch tape is less expensive, and can cover a larger area.I have had painted nails as long as I can remember. I absolutely agree on the callous issue but compromise on the polish by using a very light translucent barely pink. Also I know after two caminos which toes have skin that don’t mind their manners and routinely blister. Prophylactic Compeed does the trick. No blisters and feet that can be seen in public.... a win win. And trauma that can easily be seen under the nail.
Compeed isn't designed to be used to prevent blisters, and should only be used on deroofed blisters. https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/blister-blog/how-to-use-hydrocolloid-dressings And it's pretty expensive for that use. A roll of Omnifix stretch tape is less expensive, and can cover a larger area.
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