type 2 diabetes and possible blisters -- treatment?

CaminoKate0214

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

June/July 2015 (CF, 100 miles), June/July 2018 (CP, ~40 miles, too hot!)

• Jun 19, 2015

• #1

As a type 2 diabetic, I just cannot imagine doing the needle and thread thing! That would seem a great way to get a huge infection that would put a quick end to my Camino. Anyone here with ideas for diabetics to treat blisters? I've been wearing my hiking shoes for about three months now, so I feel like they're well broken-in, and don't anticipate problems, but any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

Camembert

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

.

• Jun 19, 2015

• #2

Anyway you can take your precautions. We walked 3 caminos and an other long distance path in Europe. As preparation for our first camino Português in 2013.

The first and second the blisters were there in spite of all preparations
On ths forum we read about all precautions of blisters and we adopted them
We put some footcreme on our feet and wear as a first layer nylon pantysocks. Then the walking socks . So the rubbing of the socks at your feet will be between the two sock layers instead of sock and skin.
To us it helped . Two last caminos with no blister at all.

Bom caminho

 

L

LauraK

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Leon-Santiago (2004) Roncesvalles-Leon (2006) Camino Frances (2012) Kumano Kodo-Japan (2014) Camino Sanabres/Salamanca-Santiago (March 2015) Camino Del Salvador and Camino Primativo (Oct 2015)

• Jun 19, 2015

• #3

From everything I have read, it appears that you should not pop a blister (needle and thread) if you have diabetes. I would recommend that you purchase some compeed to carry in your first aid kit. You put it on over a blister and leave it on until it comes off. ( it absorbs the liquid from the blister and acts as a second skin). You should also take some moleskin (you can get it at your local drug store). It has an adhesive backing and you apply a piece over any "hot spots" before a blister forms. I would recommend you search foot care and read up on all of the good advice here on the forum. You might also plan to stop every few hours and take your socks off to check your feet especially during the beginning of your walk.

 

Waka

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Some but not all, and other routes too.

• Jun 19, 2015

• #4

CaminoKate0214 said:

As a type 2 diabetic, I just cannot imagine doing the needle and thread thing! That would seem a great way to get a huge infection that would put a quick end to my Camino. Anyone here with ideas for diabetics to treat blisters? I've been wearing my hiking shoes for about three months now, so I feel like they're well broken-in, and don't anticipate problems, but any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Click to expand...

I'm also a type 2 diabetic and never thought of blister treatment, think I'll have a word with my nurse.

 

MTtoCamino

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francis SJPdP to Finnestere April(2014)

• Jun 19, 2015

• #5

I am not diabetic, had a lot of blisters, but I knew how to take care of them for myself. But you best plan on getting them & knowing how to treat them for you. If you are training you will get them before you go if you are going to have an issue with them.
Try to train before you go.

 

Patch

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

St Jean to Santiago and Porto to Santiago

• Jun 19, 2015

• #6

I to am a type 2 (20+ years now). I do a lot of long distance walking but rarely get a blister - carry a minimum load, try not to push the distance, clean feet with no bits trapped in boot, make sure no rubbing spots on boot, take boots of immediately after walking........ I take an awful lot of care of my feet. In the very unlikely event of getting a blister I try and protect it and let nature take its way - no way I would start poking around with a needle. I am not sure what the medical opinion is, somehow I don't think you would get a consistent answer but.......

 

G

GAUVINS

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Amiens-Santiago de Compostela

• Jun 19, 2015

• #7

(I am type two, controlled)

As far as I know, diabetic feet complications arise from nerve damage (you don't feel pain when you should) and possibly a longer regeneration time if you suffer from injuries. See here for a more complete picture

But your question should probably be answered by qualified professionals.

 

Patch

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

St Jean to Santiago and Porto to Santiago

• Jun 19, 2015

• #8

As an aside worth having a chat with your health professional before you go. A lot of exercise has quite a positive effect on my diabetes and I can reduce my medication after a few days of walking but it has to be specific medications as recommended by your health professional .......it avoids all those nasty hypos. Also its wise to take all your medication into the country in its original packaging and also take a copy of your prescription - some of the border guys can be award. Sure I am teaching my grandmother to sucks eggs but... enjoy your walk btw.