Preventing blisters on pinky toes

[Leaningforward]

Having received private messages concerning my recent posting about preventing blisters on pinky toes (that curl under the adjacent toe, become calloused, and blister), I thought it might be helpful to start a thread on the topic.

Here's the solution I have used to prevent blisters since passing through Zubriri in February.

Supply list (see photo):

Nail clippers and emery board
Flexible, stretch fabric tape (e.g., KT tape)
Flexible, thin duct tape (a length wrapped around a pencil or sunscreen stick, rather than carrying a roll)
Scissors
Vaseline




1. I trim the wedge-shaped callous that forms on the pad on my pinky toe, using nail clippers.



2. I then use an emery board to remove additional callous until the callous is difficult to see or feel, taking care not to create abraded surrounding skin.



3. Using scissors (which can be carried on a plane and replaced a pocket knife for me), I cut two lengths of fabric tape and one length of duct tape (see photo).



4. After rounded the ends of one piece of fabric tape, I wrap the tape over the end of the toe, so one end covers the pad and one end covers the nail (see photo).



5. I then wrapped the second piece of fabric tape around the circumference of the toe, applying some tension to help maintain a round pad (see photo).



6. To keep the fabric tape from peeling away, I then wrap the second piece with a length of duct tape, taking care that the cut ends of the duct tape will not rub against the adjacent toe.



7. I apply Vaseline between the pinky toe and adjacent toe to prevent friction.

Please add any improvements you may have.

 

[simply B]

Wow, that is as about as thorough as one can get. Well done!

My problem has always been the toe one over. I have gotten by pretty well just by using paper tape (Millipore/3M) to round the pad as you have noted. Then I use BodyGlide or Vaseline on the adjacent surfaces. A bit less work but maybe I am lucky.

B

 

[Leaningforward]

Yes, the solution is to keep the pad from compressing into a callous and blister. Pleased your toes are more easily persuaded than mine (which reluctantly are being adapted for distance walking)! If the photos help one pilgrim avoid a few days of pain on their camino, the effort was more than worth it. Buen camino.

 

[Kanga]

Oh oh

 

[Leaningforward]

Good thought Kanga! I tried a sleeve like that; it twisted, bunched, and worked its way off while walking. I tried the socks with individual toes, too. No quick, easy solution here, but the camino was/is worth the extra effort and much, much more.

 

[annakappa]

Oh oh

Thats what I use too, Kanga. It works PERFECTLY. You can buy it in different widths and you then cut it to the presumed length of the toe. I have used it for years now and it has never bunched up. I have no idea of the brand, but I buy it in Spain. Anne

 

[billmclaughlin]

I've used carefully cut and strategically placed strips of moleskin to accomplish much the same thing, but I'll definitely pick up some toe sleeves and test them out.

It's adhesive so I don't need the duct tape. I put socks on with care and it's always stayed (sufficiently) in place.

Bill