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This is SUCH a good tip. I remember on my very first Camino Francés, when I suffered from horrible blisters, my walking partner and I decided that taking off our shoes would make it much harder to get our feet back into the shoes at the end of the rest.Just remembered another simple tip, always take off your shoes when you are resting ,
consider getting a wider shoe, rather than simple going up several sizes
Great advice - a good reminder to give those best mates (your feet) a break .Taking off your shoes will reduce whatever swelling you may have in your feet. And soaking them in a cold stream during the rest will have even more magical powers.
If using tape, particularly Leukotape, which has more adhesive than most tape, you should test it before your Camino to see if it leaves your skin pink, creates a rash, or blisters. For me the Leukotape left skin pink, rashes and multiple light blisters.Walked 4 Camino's blister free. Used Leukotape P (ordered on amazon ) to tape all my toes, my heels and any other sensitive spots preventative. Then some good socks. (I wear Thorlo medium padded socks ) Works like magic. TAPE before you start walking every day. It helped me. best wishes
That's one of the reasons that Iike Omnifix and Hypafix tapes. It's also has a bit of stretch to it, so it conforms easily to your feet. They adhere well, but remove easily. I like the 4 inch/10 cm wide tape because you can cover a large area without overlaps.If using tape, particularly Leukotape, which has more adhesive than most tape, you should test it before your Camino to see if it leaves your skin pink, creates a rash, or blisters. For me the Leukotape left skin pink, rashes and multiple light blisters.
I echo Dutchwalkagain did exactly the same!!Walked 4 Camino's blister free. Used Leukotape P (ordered on amazon ) to tape all my toes, my heels and any other sensitive spots preventative. Then some good socks. (I wear Thorlo medium padded socks ) Works like magic. TAPE before you start walking every day. It helped me. best wishes
And the Devil plays all the best blues too! To sidle away from the main debate I found going up a size in boot from 8 to 8 and a half (43metric) solved my problems years ago! I was collecting blackened big toe nails like scalps! Now with super feet and smart wool Sox I seem to be doing fine. I still carry compeed tho just to make sureNobody will win this discussion. Ever! Keep it coming!
PS: IMHO: Compeed is one of the Devil's masterpieces. DS.
I used meths to clear compeed off my sox and as I was carrying a meths stove at the time didn't notice any extra weight. Just be careful when warming the tootsiesIn the spirit of over-prosecuting this case, the Omnifix type tapes are thin and have a good degree of stretch to easily go around toes and heels and balls of the feet. The thinness and degree of stretch avoids stress concentrations at the edge of the tape thereby avoiding secondary blisters.
The thick tapes can be too strong and stretch the skin at the edges of the tape causing secondary blisters at some of the edges.
For those desperate and use Compeed best practice is to cover it with Omnifix so the Compeed doesn't bleed into your socks and ruin them.
Omnifix.Omnifax
Funny, no mention of the camino.Benefits
• Skin-friendly adhesive
• Soft and comfortable
• Highly permeable to air and water vapor
• Helps reduce potential for maceration
• Self-adhesive, non-woven
• Provides reliable adherence
Indications
Omnifix® is indicated for dressing retention and securing catheters, measuring instruments, probes and similar devices. Ideal for use on joints, round and angular parts of the body.
And it's widely available at farmacias in Spain.In the spirit of over-prosecuting this case, the Omnifix type tapes are thin and have a good degree of stretch to easily go around toes and heels and balls of the feet. The thinness and degree of stretch avoids stress concentrations at the edge of the tape thereby avoiding secondary blisters.
I agree completely!!Hi! Hiker’s wool is great when you feel you are getting a ‘hot spot’… Well before you get a blister. You put it between your foot and your sock, it usually does the trick. (It always has in my case, IF I spot it early enough.).
Only use it as prevention, no way if there is already a blister or even worse, broken skin.
Compeed is for blisters but I don’t use it any more. Nasty stuff.
I’ll let others say their bitThey may (will!) differ.
I agree - it peeled and then ripped off the blister - very unpleasant experience. I've since learnt to tape every day - never had a blister sinceHi! Hiker’s wool is great when you feel you are getting a ‘hot spot’… Well before you get a blister. You put it between your foot and your sock, it usually does the trick. (It always has in my case, IF I spot it early enough.).
Only use it as prevention, no way if there is already a blister or even worse, broken skin.
Compeed is for blisters but I don’t use it any more. Nasty stuff.
I’ll let others say their bitThey may (will!) differ.
Walked about 15-18k/day for about 2 months before going. So I knew my boots/socks worked. I think that is half the battle. I met so many people incredulous at their foot problems, saying “I don’t know why I am having these issues—I went on two 10k walks before I left!”. I can’t speak to treating blisters, having never experienced one, but I can speak to prevention using Body Glide. It is like a dry stick deodorant. I applied to bottom of feet, top of instep, around heel, bottoms of toes, tops of toes, between toes, and no blisters. Zero. I met people using Compeed. I was disturbed by what it did to their skin. That ain’t normal!
I really do not understand why anyone would use either of these products. Compeed is messy and I am not sure what purpose it serves. Hikers wool, I have never used but seems unnecessary when tape or another simple solution will protect.Until coming to these forums, I had no idea what compeed or hikers wool are… now I do, but I’m still confused… I don’t know if they address the same problem or different problems… should get either or … or both? If both - when to use which? Anything else I should know about foot care? At the end of the day - this seems to be the most important aspect of preparation… please advise.
Walked 4 Camino's blister free. Used Leukotape P (ordered on amazon ) to tape all my toes, my heels and any other sensitive spots preventative. Then some good socks. (I wear Thorlo medium padded socks ) Works like magic. TAPE before you start walking every day. It helped me. best wishes
I use wool because I am allergic to many tape adhesives, and hate the feel of tape. Others may have different reasons, but what comes down to a matter of personal preference is not “wrong”.I really do not understand why anyone would use either of these products. Compeed is messy and I am not sure what purpose it serves. Hikers wool, I have never used but seems unnecessary when tape or another simple solution will protect.
Pre-taping, as mentioned below on sensitive areas, works. Simple and easy to do.
If you feel a rub, stop and address it immediately. Tape, bandaid anything you have between the hot spot and friction area.
My intent was not to offend anyone else approach to preventative maintenance.I use wool because I am allergic to many tape adhesives, and hate the feel of tape. Others may have different reasons, but what comes down to a matter of personal preference is not “wrong”.
Just got back from my camino. The only thing I ended up using was the hikers wool and I am beyond impressed! Not one blister! I am getting more of it so I can use it for my daily needs with all uncomfortable shoes I own, but love and until now couldn’t wear…I really do not understand why anyone would use either of these products. Compeed is messy and I am not sure what purpose it serves. Hikers wool, I have never used but seems unnecessary when tape or another simple solution will protect.
Pre-taping, as mentioned below on sensitive areas, works. Simple and easy to do.
If you feel a rub, stop and address it immediately. Tape, bandaid anything you have between the hot spot and friction area.
So, since I made my comment, I have read up on hikers wool. Lot's of positive comments. So I went to look up cost. An 18 gram bag costs $20. According to the website, that is a three day supply.^^.Just got back from my camino. The only thing I ended up using was the hikers wool and I am beyond impressed! Not one blister! I am getting more of it so I can use it for my daily needs with all uncomfortable shoes I own, but love and until now couldn’t wear…
Possibly the website encourages you to wrap your whole foot in the wool; more profit for them.An 18 gram bag costs $20.
I've bought wool padding for less.So, since I made my comment, I have read up on hikers wool. Lot's of positive comments. So I went to look up cost. An 18 gram bag costs $20. According to the website, that is a three day supply.^^.
As I have said, everyone should utilize what works best for them. I will stick with tape.
The rhetoric of not understanding why anyone would use such a product and then declaring it unnecessary, and now trying to fob off a “just my opinion” rather than a passage of judgement on what others do…My intent was not to offend anyone else approach to preventative maintenance.
I do not recall anywhere in my comments saying any method is "Wrong". People will utilize whatever means they are comfortable using.
I personally feel Compeed is not beneficial and messy. I stated I have no experience with hikers wool but feel there are simpler methods of preventative maintenance.
Best regards,
Joe
Whatever. I am not the only person who has personally witnessed the STRONG adhesive in Compeed ripping skin off of the victim. But Compeed, like Moleskin, is perfect to prevent the shoe or sock from rubbing directly on the skin. What good is "helping it heal" if you later rip the skin off?Wikipedia begs to differ:
A bag of washed fleece/ wool ready for spinning is very cheap. Or if youSo, since I made my comment, I have read up on hikers wool. Lot's of positive comments. So I went to look up cost. An 18 gram bag costs $20. According to the website, that is a three day supply.^^.
As I have said, everyone should utilize what works best for them. I will stick with tape.
What good is "helping it heal" if you later rip the skin off?
I agree, although my Compeed always came off easily in about 4 days with no problems on hot spots . I've not had any of the bad experiences others have shared on this thread.Compeed is not to be used like a regular band-aid and replaced daily. Leave it in place for about a week until it falls off.
There must be some type of chemical reaction when Compeed is exposed to air or body heat that turns it into a gooey putty. After about a week it dries up and falls off.
-Paul
Wikipedia is crowdsourced, so who knows who slipped that in. Harm can come from trusting a source that might have a vested interest.Wikipedia begs to differ:
That's not my experience, at all. A small bag (½ oz?) I bought in 2017 lasted 2½ years. I think it was CVS brand. Check around locally, rather than getting the expensive hyped stuff. Lambswool is lambswool.An 18 gram bag costs $20. According to the website, that is a three day supply.^^.
I totally agree. Fortunately I have narrow feet do it was easy for me and I didn't get a blister. Most blisters occur on side of feet rather than toes.I would urge people to consider getting a wider shoe, rather than simple going up several sizes, which changes the fit at different places. Unfortunately, too few shoes (especially for women) are available in wide, but that is one reason I always ask for them.
I am sure that you are right, and that there are many people who have witnessed this. Without having seen the incidents that you or they have seen, let me suggest that these incidents are the result of not using Compeed in accordance with the instructions on at least two key points:Whatever. I am not the only person who has personally witnessed the STRONG adhesive in Compeed ripping skin off of the victim. But Compeed, like Moleskin, is perfect to prevent the shoe or sock from rubbing directly on the skin. What good is "helping it heal" if you later rip the skin off?
One of the reasons that Hikers Wool and raw wool helps is that raw/unwashed wool contains natural lanolin from the sheep. The lanolin is great for stressed skin.A bag of washed fleece/ wool ready for spinning is very cheap. Or if you
know someone who has sheep....
My story is a cautionary tale.Use Compeed for blisters that have no roof.
That's a good site, thank you. I am not an expert in other people's blister management, just in my own. I guess one point that is often overlooked is this one: Once you have a nasty raw blister you should allow it to heal. And that means no massive walking onslaught for a few days ... Something that many people apparently feel unable to do.Doctor Rebecca Rushton is an expert on sports blisters. On her webpage below she discusses Compeed and other hydrocolloid dressings for treating blisters. If you don't care to visit here is her advice:
1) Don't use Compeed for blister prevention.
2) Don't use Compeed when a blister has a roof.
3) Use Compeed for blisters that have no roof.
4) Tape the EDGES of the Compeed bandage.
I was just reading a few more of Rushton's articles after posting #142 above. On one webpage she says that most hydrocolloid bandages are not sterile. She has her own brand of hydrocolloid bandage that is, BlisterPod. They also allow you to easily see the gel that gets formed. You leave the bandage on until the gel reaches an edge of the bandage. Her brand also comes with size matched fixation tape to fight socks attempting to rip off the bandage.So. If you use the stuff, sterilize the heck out of that de-roofed blister before you put it on.
Thanks so much for all this information. I have watched her video on compeed. It’s very helpful and informative. Some questions/comments/ideas —I was just reading a few more of Rushton's articles after posting #142 above. On one webpage she says that most hydrocolloid bandages are not sterile. She has her own brand of hydrocolloid bandage that is, BlisterPod. They also allow you to easily see the gel that gets formed. You leave the bandage on until the gel reaches an edge of the bandage. Her brand also comes with size matched fixation tape to fight socks attempting to rip off the bandage.
Hydrocolloid Bandages For Blisters: New & Improved
New & Improved: BlisterPod hydrocolloid bandages for foot blisters now come with precut fixation tapes so you avoid roll-back in your active lifestyle. Shop now!www.blister-prevention.com
Yeah, if you have developed a blister that still has a roof you might get by protecting it from bumps with a hydrocolloid gel cushion but that doesn't use the bandage the way it was intended. Using it that way is okay if after the marathon you are on the couch for a few days waiting for your rubber bands to turn back into muscles. In other words protecting your protective bandage from tearing off your foot with the blister's roof attached to it. A big difference from walking a week full of 25 km days with a wool sock attempting to rip the bandage off every time you air your feet or change your socks.At that time, just as now, there were very strong opinions on the question whether it is to be put on an open blister or one that is fully in tact. According to compeedusa.com, it can be used on both.
That's why I check on the reasons why a treatment method is to be used; you can attempt to keep someone from doing something dangerous. Also it may alert you to when there is some reason why the generally used treatment may be a bad idea.I have found that blister treatment is something that people have VERY strong opinions on, so I stay out of those discussions.
I've gotten completely de-roofed blisters from just walking in my younger and dumber days.She shows a completely “de-roofed” blister (love that word) as being the only type that should get a compeed covering. That de-roofing could not have happened without someone using scissors to carefully remove the cover. She talks about the roof wearing off from walking, but based on what I have seen, to get the roof completely off as that picture shows requires cutting.
I'm not a doctor so I've got to be really careful here. I can't see how removing the loose skin from a torn blister would be bad but all the medical advice I've read has said NOT to do it. Google:Given @VN’s experience with infection forming under the compeed, is it possible that a better and less risky approach would be to remove the roof,
@Kathar1na , on my first Camino, I used compeed. I knew and understood and followed the instructions. I never tried to remove it. It just….. removed itself, a little bit at a time (the edges). And started sticking to my socks! It was a mess.The instructions for removing Compeed are simple. I’m surprised how little they are known. They are: Don‘t remove it. If you want or need to remove it, do not pull upwards; instead, stretch it slowly along the skin and/or remove it in warm water. It is easy to do and painless. I have used Compeed on closed and open blisters and would do so again. Doing so is not a contra-indication.
I always have Hiker’s Wool and Compeed in my backpack and know when I want to use which product for the feet/toe blister issues that developed late in life and cannot be prevented by the appropriate choice of socks or shoes. When I was younger, no blisters developed and no prevention or intervention was needed. Those days are over.
Ripping one's skin off and not being able to get the goo out of one's socks, not even after washing them in the washing machine, are probably the two most common complaints about Compeed. I am tempted to say that one then either learns from one's mistakes or gives up on using it.And started sticking to my socks! It was a mess.
Never again
That's why Rebecca Rushton recommends that you should always use a fixation tape (Fixomull, Omnifix, Hypafix, etc.) to hold the edges down.@Kathar1na , on my first Camino, I used compeed. I knew and understood and followed the instructions. I never tried to remove it. It just….. removed itself, a little bit at a time (the edges). And started sticking to my socks! It was a mess.
Never again
I think you are seeing this through the eyes of a walker, not a competitive long distance runner, which is where Rebecca Rushton does most of her professional and voluntary work. In the context of a long distance endurance running event, I suggest it is much more likely both to form a large blister and then to de-roof it. Just as much as one might encourage participants in these events to stop and treat their blisters while they are still hot spots, there will always be people who push on.She shows a completely “de-roofed” blister (love that word) as being the only type that should get a compeed covering. That de-roofing could not have happened without someone using scissors to carefully remove the cover. She talks about the roof wearing off from walking, but based on what I have seen, to get the roof completely off as that picture shows requires cutting.
What am I missing?
I'd also highly recommend testing adhesives before you start a camino.
Not necessarily! It could mean that you are paying attention to hot spots on your feet and treating them promptly.Training for the Camino should result in a practice blister enabling you to also practice bister care. If you are not getting a blister during training, you are probably not training hard enough.
-Paul
The logic is a bit iffy here.If you are not getting a blister during training, you are probably not training hard enough.
I am one who has never done anything to my feet on the Camino … I think our feet are all different and some need more pampering than others for a good outcome.
I'm sure your list of helpful hints will be beneficial to many who may give them a try.Very fortunate. You and my husband Domi both. Thé list i mentioned above is MY regime. His involves no lotions or pampering. So, go figure.
Anyway it works for me, so I’m not deviating
I totally agree. Trust me, I trained PLENTY and never got a blister due to PREVENTATIVE taping my feet at the area's that I thought might cause and issue. (I tape each toe, my heels and balls of my feet. And make sure the tape sits on smooth without a single wrinkle) I also keep my nails short and check daily to make sure there are no sharp edges on my nails.Not necessarily! It could mean that you are paying attention to hot spots on your feet and treating them promptly.
Well, i am glad it worked for youRipping one's skin off and not being able to get the goo out of one's socks, not even after washing them in the washing machine, are probably the two most common complaints about Compeed. I am tempted to say that one then either learns from one's mistakes or gives up on using it.
My socks are Compeed free (I learnt how to remove the stuff) and I carry a small supply of Compeed in different shapes in my backpack and use it wisely for my purposes (heel - rarely; toes - more often).
Now there is great new way to get your hikers wool. On this site:Just don't wash it with soap or you will remove the lanolin. It is okay, though, to pick the sticks and other debris out.
Now there is great new way to get your hikers wool. On this site:
https://mykiwisheep.com/
you can adopt a Merino Sheep and then when your sheep is shorn they will process the fleece in any way that you want and then send it to you.
So all you need to do is ask them to give the fleece a bit of a clean and then post it over to you. You will then have a lifetime supply of hikers wool and enough left over to share with your friends
Start out to NOT use anything at all! Make sure your feet are clean and then as a preventative step tape off your possible sensitive spots on your feet with said protective tape. Walk as long as you want and NEVER remove the tape until it falls of under the shower or by itself! buen CaminoUntil coming to these forums, I had no idea what compeed or hikers wool are… now I do, but I’m still confused… I don’t know if they address the same problem or different problems… should get either or … or both? If both - when to use which? Anything else I should know about foot care? At the end of the day - this seems to be the most important aspect of preparation… please advise.
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