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Try Vaseline first, then Compeed, then duct tape. Both Compeed and duct tape will require that the Vaseline be removed completely.
Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
I think that prevention is better than cure. You can buy a tube made of a solid but flexible gel, covered with a mesh. You cut it to size ( there is probable enough for 5 or 6 toes). It comes in various widths according to your particular problem toe! Buy it in any pharmacy.
Personally, I don't like Compeed, but most say that it should be put on the first moment you feel a hot spot. As Falcon says, remove all trace of Vaseline first.
Loads of people swear by duct tape, but I have never tried it, but I guess it could be very useful if you develop a blister under your foot. Anne
Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
I used Compeed for prevention. I placed on heels, and on friction points. Then, applied vaseline on the rest of the foot. Work like a charm..and no, I did not replaced the compeeds every day.Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
I can't remember if there was a brand name. Doesn't matter, just go to the pharmacy and you will see the tubes displayed, together with all the other useful things that Pilgrims need for their feet and legsThat sounds good, is there a proper medical/brand name for it?
OK .... I have just returned from my 4th camino.
I have tried all the usual remedies - talc powder, vaseline, compeed, duct tape, to no avail.
On the 3 previous caminos I had blisters so badly that I needed hospital treatment [and had to give up one camino completely.]
This year I had NO BLISTERS
I used panty liners on both feet. Do not be embarrassed. If you don't know what they are, ask the lady in your life.
There has been much discussion about this on the forum, hasn't there Diogo?!?
So... I am delighted to be home with good feet.
I found the best way to put them on was to put the liner on the floor, sticky side up. Then carefully position your foot over the liner so that the ball of the big toe and the base of the toes was lined up along the edge of the liner. Then press your foot down onto it. Then carefully put on your walking socks.
You can use either the short or long panty liners: if you use the long ones, fold the ends over the top of your feet.
I sincerely hope this may be of help to some of you. Stephan. Any chance you can Attach a photo?
Thank you.
Ed
Buen camino [without blisters!][/Nope. Did not stop. I am at my bed everything is soaked. God is good. He gave me 3/4 of hike today dry weather. XxooQUOTE]
That sounds good, is there a proper medical/brand name for it?
OK .... I have just returned from my 4th camino.
I have tried all the usual remedies - talc powder, vaseline, compeed, duct tape, to no avail.
On the 3 previous caminos I had blisters so badly that I needed hospital treatment [and had to give up one camino completely.]
This year I had NO BLISTERS
I used panty liners on both feet. Do not be embarrassed. If you don't know what they are, ask the lady in your life.
There has been much discussion about this on the forum, hasn't there Diogo?!?
So... I am delighted to be home with good feet.
I found the best way to put them on was to put the liner on the floor, sticky side up. Then carefully position your foot over the liner so that the ball of the big toe and the base of the toes was lined up along the edge of the liner. Then press your foot down onto it. Then carefully put on your walking socks.
You can use either the short or long panty liners: if you use the long ones, fold the ends over the top of your feet.
I sincerely hope this may be of help to some of you.
Buen camino [without blisters!]
Mr. Walker, I think you get the message......everyone eventually stumbles on what works for them, but not necessarily for someone else. For me, I found out the hard way that it was important to keep my feet very dry, so I changed socks at least twice per day. Also used Glide for prevention. If I got a hot spot, I used compeed and let it stay on until it fell off. Sometimes, I added a strip of tape over the compeed to secure it. I tried everything that has been mentioned until I found what worked for me and I suspect that you will have to do the same.
I think the question is wrong. If you're already having hot spots before you start the Camino, get different boots. With all the walking w a pack on your back, your feet will probably spread so why start with too-tight boots?
My daughter and I are on the Camino now and we're having great, blister-free success with Injinji socks (poly toes socks) plus thick wool socks. The problem w taping your toes is when your toes swell, the tape is too tight. Injinjis (REI sells the) solve this and keep toes from rubbing.
Happy feet show on your face!
You can have the right size boots and still have hot spots. Try the boot stretching. Try a lubricant to see if that is enough to eliminate the friction. Try Compeed or tape next. Tape that curls will create another hot spot. Check for seams in your socks that may be the problem. Try alternative lacing techniques that may create more space where the boot is rubbing. You can soften leather with a number of products if there is one place that is particularly rigid. Don't fill your boots with things that make them tighter! Lubricant uses no space. Compeed and surgical tape use very little space. Light liner socks use a bit more. Heavy socks even more. Insoles and panty liners even more than that.
OK .... I have just returned from my 4th camino.
I have tried all the usual remedies - talc powder, vaseline, compeed, duct tape, to no avail.
On the 3 previous caminos I had blisters so badly that I needed hospital treatment [and had to give up one camino completely.]
This year I had NO BLISTERS
I used panty liners on both feet. Do not be embarrassed. If you don't know what they are, ask the lady in your life.
There has been much discussion about this on the forum, hasn't there Diogo?!?
So... I am delighted to be home with good feet.
I found the best way to put them on was to put the liner on the floor, sticky side up. Then carefully position your foot over the liner so that the ball of the big toe and the base of the toes was lined up along the edge of the liner. Then press your foot down onto it. Then carefully put on your walking socks.
You can use either the short or long panty liners: if you use the long ones, fold the ends over the top of your feet.
I sincerely hope this may be of help to some of you.
Buen camino [without blisters!]
OK .... I have just returned from my 4th camino.
I have tried all the usual remedies - talc powder, vaseline, compeed, duct tape, to no avail.
On the 3 previous caminos I had blisters so badly that I needed hospital treatment [and had to give up one camino completely.]
This year I had NO BLISTERS
I used panty liners on both feet. Do not be embarrassed. If you don't know what they are, ask the lady in your life.
There has been much discussion about this on the forum, hasn't there Diogo?!?
So... I am delighted to be home with good feet.
I found the best way to put them on was to put the liner on the floor, sticky side up. Then carefully position your foot over the liner so that the ball of the big toe and the base of the toes was lined up along the edge of the liner. Then press your foot down onto it. Then carefully put on your walking socks.
You can use either the short or long panty liners: if you use the long ones, fold the ends over the top of your feet.
I sincerely hope this may be of help to some of you.
Buen camino [without blisters!]
After reading your post, I checked out this ArmaSkin sock. It seems like the perfect alternative to taping your entire foot! So I ordered a pair and will be trying them out this summer before my trek on the Camino in September. Please let me know how they work for you. Ultreya!I've been worried about blisters forming during those long hot days of walking and read a lot on how to avoid them.
I'm now going to trial a sock called ArmaSkin(armaskin.com). The manufacturer claims that no-one has ever gotten a blister using the ArmaSkin liner and if for some reason you do then you will be the first and they will give you a refund.
Perejil, Have you actually received your Armaskin socks yet?After reading your post, I checked out this ArmaSkin sock. It seems like the perfect alternative to taping your entire foot! So I ordered a pair and will be trying them out this summer before my trek on the Camino in September. Please let me know how they work for you. Ultreya!
Perejil, Have you actually received your Armaskin socks yet?
After reading your post, I checked out this ArmaSkin sock. It seems like the perfect alternative to taping your entire foot! So I ordered a pair and will be trying them out this summer before my trek on the Camino in September. Please let me know how they work for you. Ultreya!
Ben,Hello JanetEllen and Perejil...
I came across your posts and thought I'd say hi. I work at ArmaSkin Anti-Blister Socks and was actually on the test and development team. I am glad you've decided to try our socks. I am confident they will deliver! Could I please ask you to contact us to let us know how it goes. We're really keen to add some testimonials to the armaskin.com site.
Also while I am here just a reminder read the instructions that were emailed to you after purchase. There is a left and right foot and you wear them underneath your normal socks. Also you need to roll them on rather than attempt to pull them on like a normal sock. A couple of people have had trouble working that out. I guess people figure that socks don't need instructions.. fair enough
Anyways thanks again and I hope to hear from you again!
Ben Wolf
"Save Your Skin"
Hello JanetEllen and Perejil...
I came across your posts and thought I'd say hi. I work at ArmaSkin Anti-Blister Socks and was actually on the test and development team. I am glad you've decided to try our socks. I am confident they will deliver! Could I please ask you to contact us to let us know how it goes. We're really keen to add some testimonials to the armaskin.com site.
Ben Wolf
"Save Your Skin"
I always wear liners but first before putting my socks on I cover my feet in baby powder. Never have a problem.I trialled the sock liners over the weekend for the first time, on a 4 hr walk through our local suburban walking trails. No hot spots and no blisters to speak of. I did however need to adjust them towards the end of the day, because they were pulling on my big toe, but I find that happens with some regular socks as well.
Walking in sock liners I felt an odd sensation in the Medial and Lateral Planters (think that's right) on the sole of my feet as I first started walking. I think that may have been the liner rubbing against the sock, which without that protection could over time form into something nastier.
All in all I'm happy enough to continue using them and include them as part of my regular walking kit, as I build up for the Camino.
Thanks Ben,
I wonder if you could advise me on how many pairs of armaskin I'd need For a short 2 week and long 5 week Camino?
Good question. I only ordered one pair assuming that would be enough.
JanetEllen
I trialled the sock liners over the weekend for the first time, on a 4 hr walk through our local suburban walking trails. No hot spots and no blisters to speak of. I did however need to adjust them towards the end of the day, because they were pulling on my big toe, but I find that happens with some regular socks as well.
Walking in sock liners I felt an odd sensation in the Medial and Lateral Planters (think that's right) on the sole of my feet as I first started walking. I think that may have been the liner rubbing against the sock, which without that protection could over time form into something nastier.
All in all I'm happy enough to continue using them and include them as part of my regular walking kit, as I build up for the Camino.
I always wear liners but first before putting my socks on I cover my feet in baby powder. Never have a problem.
Thanks for that. Never heard of Armaskin till now.Hey all.. Just getting back to you on your posts. See below:
A single pair should easily do for a week without washing. In fact they may be fine for longer however we haven't tested it. If you were able to give them a really good wash out with water and dry them off I would say you could use 3 pairs over 5 weeks.
If you are experiencing pulling on the toe you may need to read adjust them every now and then as you have discovered. I have experienced this myself but only after leaving them on for 24 hours or longer (sometimes I am situations where you have to sleep with your boots on). Most people get to take their socks off at night so it's not a common issue.
Hi Michryan,
Just a note to yourself and everyone else on this. If you use ArmaSkin please don't add any other products such as baby power etc. Doing this may stop the inner coating from working correctly. Baby powder, in particular, would cause a problem with the moisture management properties of the lining.
Ben Wolf
ArmaSkin.com.au
"Save Your Skin"
Nevermind, found some today. Also found some sunscreen with SPF 50. Excited!Silly question...do Spanish farmacias carry vaseline? Can't find small enough container to please the airlines.
Very helpful information, thanks Doug. As I increased my training distance with a pack, I'm discovering that I have the same problem. I might also try the toe socks someone mentioned.I use a non-woven tape as a preventative measure. I have a bunion that pushes my big and next toe together on one foot, and I tape between those toes to reduce the friction. This has worked successfully on three pilgimages.
Hey Dutch!! I used what I had on my trek pole. I always keep duct tape with me when I hike Loads of uses for it. I have nothing against sportstape.....Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
I do the same thing. In fact, the instant I sense a hot spot I stop, take shoe and sock off, let foot dry in sun if possible then add compeed. It cools and protects the hot spot. Stops it from getting worse. I learned all this on my first Camino in 2014 and have been applying it over my next 4 Caminos including the Norte.Not really.
I have used Compeed for years on hotspots to prevent blisters.
If it were me, I'd put the Compeed on now.
I prefer compeed because it is cushiony and comfy, but I've used duct tape a couple of times on hot spots and it actually did work!Hey Dutch!! I used what I had on my trek pole. I always keep duct tape with me when I hike Loads of uses for it. I have nothing against sportstape.....
My little toes are just crooked enough that I am careful to protect them. I put a dab of lamb's wool on a 1/2" KT tape and then tape each toe - with the lamb's wool on the side that could potentially rub my boot. I walked from SJPP and then to Santiago and had no blisters or hot spots. It is wise to get familiar with one's feet and do prevention planning!I'm not the worlds best planner and just recently bought me a pair of walking shoes. I have been wearing them at work all week and also taken them out for a few walks. They fit and feel perfect exempt for one spot on my right little toe. It is not a blister yet but I guess it's what they call a hot spot.
So, is this when I put on a campeed? Or should I slather my feet with vaseline, wait and see if it becomes a blister and then put on campeed? Or should I wrap my toe in duct tape right this moment?
Still in Sweden on my couch by the way. I'll be on my way this monday.
The important thing is to figure out why you have a hot spot there. Is your sock bunching up in a sweaty, rubbing mass? Is your sock set too thin for the shoe/feet combo you have? Rub your foot with alcohol and put paper surgical tape on it in the morning. Remove (if it isn't sweated off!) in evening and give it all the fresh air you can.I'm not the worlds best planner and just recently bought me a pair of walking shoes. I have been wearing them at work all week and also taken them out for a few walks. They fit and feel perfect exempt for one spot on my right little toe. It is not a blister yet but I guess it's what they call a hot spot.
So, is this when I put on a campeed? Or should I slather my feet with vaseline, wait and see if it becomes a blister and then put on campeed? Or should I wrap my toe in duct tape right this moment?
Still in Sweden on my couch by the way. I'll be on my way this monday.
And if you walk in your botes with Compeed in warm weather the Compeed will cook off in the heat of the shoe long before your blister is healed.Compeed is used when it IS a blister, not for prevention. Tape and/or vaseline you use for prevention, but ducttape? Really? Why not sportstape?
Been there, done that, sister! Learned to tie shoes with heel locks. Still learning about shoes, sox, and feet. Tried the little toe sleeves. For me, Injinji worked better. BUT everyone's feet are particular TO THEM. Now a fan of paper surgical tape, gauze, and using a lot of alcohol hand sanitizer on the feet.I have only had blisters, bad blisters at that, on my first Camino. Basically I didn't have a clue how prevent them.
Have you trimmed your big toenails really short? DH says that he loses an entire shoe size when I trim his toenails.I trialled the sock liners over the weekend for the first time, on a 4 hr walk through our local suburban walking trails. No hot spots and no blisters to speak of. I did however need to adjust them towards the end of the day, because they were pulling on my big toe, but I find that happens with some regular socks as well.
Walking in sock liners I felt an odd sensation in the Medial and Lateral Planters (think that's right) on the sole of my feet as I first started walking. I think that may have been the liner rubbing against the sock, which without that protection could over time form into something nastier.
All in all I'm happy enough to continue using them and include them as part of my regular walking kit, as I build up for the Camino.
Have you trimmed your big toenails really short? DH says that he loses an entire shoe size when I trim his toenails.
My favorite tape to use for blister prevention is Omnifix. It's thin and a bit stretchy, so it conforms easily to the contours of your foot. I like the 4" wide. I cut a couple of pieces and place it across the balls of my feet (my hotspot zone) daily. It, and the similar Hypafix are readily available in farmacias in Spain.Rub your foot with alcohol and put paper surgical tape on it in the morning
We only now use the non-woven paper tape that dougfitz mentions as a preventative on any hot spots and have had no blisters on our last camino...only took a 1000 plus kms to find out what works for us!....this paper tape is available all pharmacies in Spain.There are a couple of different medical quality tapes that you might want to consider. The first is standard strapping tape. This has a relatively strong adhesive, but not so strong that it cannot be removed without causing damage to the skin. The other is a non-woven tape, like Micropore a 3M brand but there are others. The adhesive is less aggressive than that on strapping tapes, and it is relatively easy to remove.
If you are going to use tape, whatever the variety, it is important to remove the tape daily. I normally do this at night, and re-apply the tape the following morning. On the other hand, Compeed is designed to be left in place until the blister heals.
I use a non-woven tape as a preventative measure. I have a bunion that pushes my big and next toe together on one foot, and I tape between those toes to reduce the friction. This has worked successfully on three pilgimages. @annakappa described another preventative measure, and my wife swears by hikers wool (almost as much as she does at me at the end of a long walking day!).
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