What's in your first aid kit?

[Steeplechase]

Packing my first first aid kit, I'm having a hard time deciding what's essential. The pre-made kits you can buy at field-and-stream type stores seem to be way too much stuff.

What do you like to keep in your pack for first aid on the camino? If it would vary based on which route you're taking, that would be interesting to learn as well.

Thank you!

 

[Steeplechase]

I would strongly advice taking a small amount of Leuko tape instead of band aids.
Don’t buy the pre-made first aid kits. Build your own as this is something very personal. Make it personnal, make it about you.

Oh! That's super helpful, thank you - I was thinking of a first aid kit for potential medical emergencies among my fellow pilgrims. The personal approach makes it much easier.
Thank you for the tip on the Leuko tape, it's not something I've used before but it looks more versatile than something like moleskin.

Thanks!

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

I'll add, SalonPas pain relief patches. They last 8 hours, you can use one or many and get good relief pain on almost any body part.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

@moxy, not heat or cold... just pain relief. They're easy to share with other aching Peregrino's as well.

 

[Robo]

This is what I carry....... I generally end up using most of the items.
Though only needed puri tabs once when I ran out of water and topped up from a stream.
Crepe bandage often gets used to hold a zip lock bag of ice onto a foot/leg.
There are other non 'First Aid' items like physio tape........

 

[mary_mh]

Great list Robo. I’m starting to plan my kit so this is vey helpful. I’ll probably add some anti inflammatory gel or linament to rub down sore muscles. I guess most things are easy to buy/replace on the road.

 

[trecile]

Oh! That's super helpful, thank you - I was thinking of a first aid kit for potential medical emergencies among my fellow pilgrims. The personal approach makes it much easier.
Thank you for the tip on the Leuko tape, it's not something I've used before but it looks more versatile than something like moleskin.

Thanks!

Personally, I prefer Omnifix or Hypafix tape over Leukotape. It comes in a wider roll, and you can cut it to size and shape. I use it on hotspots for blister prevention. It also makes a great bandage with a gauze pad. It's available in most farmacias is Spain, and you can purchase it on Amazon. I prefer the 4“ wide roll.

 

[SabsP]

Some general Paracetamol ( I will not touch Ibuprofen! ).
Personal meds.
Omnifix tape.
Neo-Cutigenol , a disinfecting and healing ointment for topical use.

 

[trecile]

Some items like Salon Pas patches, anti-inflammatory gel, etc. can be purchased as needed in Spain. You only need to bring first aid items sufficient to get you to the next town with a farmacia - not something for every eventuality.

 

[Robo]

Great list Robo. I’m starting to plan my kit so this is vey helpful. I’ll probably add some anti inflammatory gel or linament to rub down sore muscles. I guess most things are easy to buy/replace on the road.

Yes. Pharmacies in Spain are very good! I have tried the anti inflam gels too. Just remember they generally also contain ibruprofen, and you need to take care in not using too much.

Best to consult your doctor, explain what you are doing and seek advice on dosages etc with someone who knows your medical history.......

 

[Robo]

Some items like Salon Pas patches, anti-inflammatory gel, etc. can be purchased as needed in Spain. You only need to bring first aid items sufficient to get you to the next town with a farmacia - not something for every eventuality.

Very true. I only carry the bare minimum, (like 6 immodium) not whole packets....... Though I go through a lot of pain killers and anti inflammatories given a chronic condition. If I run out...........I grind to a halt..........

 

[Robo]

Some general Paracetamol ( I will not touch Ibuprofen! ).

I'm sure @David or @davebugg will chime in with more 'professional' advice, but Paracetamol and Ibuprofen kind of do different things as I understand it.

Paracetamol is a general pain reliever
whilst Ibuprofen is also a NASAID (anti inflammatory)
They can be taken together.
I do, but only under my Doctors advice on dosage and timing

As with any meds, seek professional advice, not from Dr Google.

Ibruprofen you need to be very careful with............ I'm sure one of the guys will explain better than I, why. I'm amazed at the high dosages that are sold over the counter in Spain.

 

[SabsP]

I'm sure @David or @davebugg will chime in with more 'professional' advice, but Paracetamol and Ibuprofen kind of do different things as I understand it.

Paracetamol is a general pain reliever
whilst Ibuprofen is also a NASAID (anti inflammatory)
They can be taken together.
I do, but only under my Doctors advice on dosage and timing

As with any meds, seek professional advice, not from Dr Google.

Ibruprofen you need to be very careful with............ I'm sure one of the guys will explain better than I, why. I'm amazed at the high dosages that are sold over the counter in Spain.

Very different things indeed. Therefore I stay on the safe side.
The over the counter dosages in Spain are very high indeed. Max in Belgium is 400 whereas Spain sells those of 600 without prescription.

 

[mike mcbroom]

Packing my first first aid kit, I'm having a hard time deciding what's essential. The pre-made kits you can buy at field-and-stream type stores seem to be way too much stuff.

What do you like to keep in your pack for first aid on the camino? If it would vary based on which route you're taking, that would be interesting to learn as well.

Thank you!

Get some needles syringes and betadine for the blister. Also dr schols mole skin.
plus the other normal stuff folks have mentiomed

 

[Robo]

Get some needles syringes and betadine for the blister. Also dr schols mole skin.
plus the other normal stuff folks have mentiomed

Better not to get blisters though
Vaseline
Hikers wool
Inner and outer socks.
Tape hot spots.

3 Caminos, no blisters yet. Touch Wood!

13th of May – Foot Care and Blisters on the Camino | In Search of Santiago

 

[lt56ny]

Vaseline
Pepcid Complete
Bandaids
Needle and thread
Ibuprofen
Neosporin
Voltarin
There are lots of drugstores!

 

[gloria lowe]

Vaseline
Pepcid Complete
Bandaids
Needle and thread
Ibuprofen
Neosporin
Voltarin
There are lots of drugstores!

I hope you are not taking ibuprofen and Voltaren at the same time as they are the same class of drug Non steroid anti inflammatory and should not be taken together.

 

[lt56ny]

I hope you are not taking ibuprofen and Voltaren at the same time as they are the same class of drug Non steroid anti inflammatory and should not be taken together.

I appreciate your concern and I rarely take Ibupropen. Only when I have a bad headache or a fever. I used to be a pharmaceutical representative and (I know to many it is not a very honorable profession). I worked for many years in Gastroenterology offices so I am well aware of the concomitant use of multiple steroid use and their effects on the GI system and the increased risk of ulcers. Long term use significantly raises the risk especially for those over 60. I am 65. But using more than one NSAID can be very risky. Please note that I use the topical cream and not a tablet. I love to read package inserts, just a habit from my job and the risk of bleed with the gel is less than .01%. As you probably know when a drug is being tested for approval all adverse events must be listed in the PI. I did not read the study itself but I am sure the control groups had to total in the neighborhood of at least 5,000 people. In a study that large it is not surprising that someone had a GI bleed. If there was a larger number of patients with GI bleeding a secondary study would have had to of been initiated with the primary endpoint being risks of GI bleeds. I really appreciate your concern and the bottom line is you are right!!!! DO NOT TAKE MULTI NSAIDS AT THE SAME TIME PEOPLE!!!! Scratch my Voltaren suggestion. Although for me it does really help the bottoms of my feet if I have been walk on hard surfaces all day, like on the Norte or Portuguese.

 

[KinkyOne]

Not much. More or less orujo blanco and cold beer (vino tinto with supper)

 

[Albertagirl]

Not much. More or less orujo blanco and cold beer (vino tinto with supper)

It's your age. Alas, your elders often require a lot more medical help to go on walking. But we can still medicate with alcoholic beverages, if we do so carefully.

 

[KinkyOne]

It's your age. Alas, your elders often require a lot more medical help to go on walking. But we can still medicate with alcoholic beverages, if we do so carefully.

It was meant more in the spirit of: "Don't push yourself too much. Take it slowly, enjoy your walk but also enjoy your rest. Smell the flowers while walking and also enjoy the life of that small villages while slowly sipping something in the plaza."
It's all about attitude. The best medicine. But by no means I want to encourage anyone to drink alcohol. OTOH I'll continue to enjoy it

More seriously. My medical kit contains: few pills of Diclofenaco and Ibuprofeno (wasted knees) and a pack of Compeed just in case. That's it.

 

[domigee]

I have just packed mine...
Small antiseptic spray
Roll of plasters
A couple of sterilised gauze pads and some tape to hold them if needed.
Scissors
Arnica tablets (for Italy - climbing down from Gd St Bernard on 1st day)
Nok cream (for feet) - can be replaced by vaseline
Hydration powder (for Italy in Summer)
Anti-mosquito spray (for Italy- walking across the rice fields)
I also used to take a few tablets of each: Ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamine, enough to get me to a farmacia.
New: personal medicine - the reason I don’t take the above any more, don’t like/dare to mix!
A tick ‘card’ to remove the beasties (fortunately, never had to use it!)
Lambswool.
That’s it I think.

 

[diterry]

Personally, I prefer Omnifix or Hypafix tape over Leukotape. It comes in a wider roll, and you can cut it to size and shape. I use it on hotspots for blister prevention. It also makes a great bandage with a gauze pad. It's available in most farmacias is Spain, and you can purchase it on Amazon. I prefer the 4“ wide roll.

 

[diterry]

Omnifix is excellent/superior and used by the Gortex foot care stations in Santa Domingo and Leon. Most OTC meds easily purchased in country but note that the Pharmacias are closed daily between 2-5 (with variances). Foot care kit was my priority and I can say as a pilgrim and a nurse that US moleskin is far superior than EU pink lambs wool. Mole skin even lasts a shower or 2 but the pink lambs wool will end up in the drain on day 1. Buen Camino.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Very different things indeed. Therefore I stay on the safe side.
The over the counter dosages in Spain are very high indeed. Max in Belgium is 400 whereas Spain sells those of 600 without prescription.

God bless Spain!

 

[jostony]

Packing my first first aid kit, I'm having a hard time deciding what's essential. The pre-made kits you can buy at field-and-stream type stores seem to be way too much stuff.

What do you like to keep in your pack for first aid on the camino? If it would vary based on which route you're taking, that would be interesting to learn as well.

Thank you!

Agree. Essential and what you actually use is difficult to pre-judge. Invariably I always take and carry much more than I need

 

[Steeplechase]

Some items like Salon Pas patches, anti-inflammatory gel, etc. can be purchased as needed in Spain. You only need to bring first aid items sufficient to get you to the next town with a farmacia - not something for every eventuality.

Thank you for putting it in perspective, scope is exactly what I was struggling with!

 

[Steeplechase]

Foot care kit was my priority and I can say as a pilgrim and a nurse that US moleskin is far superior than EU pink lambs wool. Mole skin even lasts a shower or 2

I have to confess I have no idea how to work with moleskin - it's not a sterile bandaid, it's not really tape, it's sticky and has a bit of bounce...
I figured I'd bring a tiny amount to keep around in case it suddenly becomes clear what moleskin is for once I have my first camino hot spot and/or blister.

 

[trecile]

I have to confess I have no idea how to work with moleskin - it's not a sterile bandaid, it's not really tape, it's sticky and has a bit of bounce...
I figured I'd bring a tiny amount to keep around in case it suddenly becomes clear what moleskin is for once I have my first camino hot spot and/or blister.

I use Omnifix or Hypafix tape on my hotspots instead of moleskin. My blister prone areas are the balls of my feet and two toes. I put the tape on those areas daily as an insurance policy against blisters.

 

[Sher]

Oh! That's super helpful, thank you - I was thinking of a first aid kit for potential medical emergencies among my fellow pilgrims. The personal approach makes it much easier.
Thank you for the tip on the Leuko tape, it's not something I've used before but it looks more versatile than something like moleskin.

Thanks!

Leuko tape is amazing! I had some blisters between my toes and I just tape them up and they were fine to walk. The rest of my first aid provisions pretty much match what was already mentioned (Benedryl, ibuprofen, pepto bismol, neosporen, tweezers, needle, nail clippers, tiny scissors). I didn’t use anything other than the clippers, tape, and scissors but everything was used by someone I met so I felt I packed well.

 

[Telboyo]

White surgical tape for blisters black electricians tape for cuts, a few gauze dressings, and some paracetamol and ibuprofen

 

[Steeplechase]

...black electricians tape for cuts...

This is a new one for me, skateboarding friends taught me about crazy glue for cuts but electrician's tape is a whole other level.

 

[Telboyo]

This is a new one for me, skateboarding friends taught me about crazy glue for cuts but electrician's tape is a whole other level.

If you cut a finger with a sharp knife like a Stanley or box cutter wrapping it with black tape will keep it clean longer than medical tape and it will heal extremely quickly.

 

[Tollymore]

I avoided blisters last year with KT tape around some toes to avoid wee overlaps and them pressing together. Handy for some support too.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

I add a Tick remover to my kit - specialised pincers to remove the tick safely (plastic, light and small), and a few sachets of fast-action water-sulluble Magnesium powder to help against cramps and a good top-up of helpful minerals. It helps me.
Have a healthy Camino.
Keith

 

[Deleted member 397]

Good grief!..some people are a travelling farmacy!
I carry..immodium..that's it

 

[Deleted member 73892]

PS an idea from JillGat I will adopt - take my glasses prescription, so if I lose them I can at least try to get another pair to the exact requirements. And its a small piece of paper so doesn't take space or add weight!
PPS In Mieres, Asturias, my specs fell apart - those tiny screws and the nose rest rubber thing-bit. An optician on the high street repaired them immediately and would not take payment. One of those wonderful kindnesses we experience along the way. I'm always on a tight budget so I especially appreciated his generosity. I'd left my spare pair at home, so would have been lost without them.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

I avoided blisters last year with KT tape around some toes to avoid wee overlaps and them pressing together. Handy for some support too. View attachment 61389View attachment 61390

Good idea. I'll add some as an essential to my first aid kit.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

In Summer time, a can of beer very very very cold.