Podiatrist needed, currently in Rabanal

[Lauraeire]

Need a podiatrist I have a big blister on my heel and currently have compeed on it. Where will the nearest podiatrist be, Villafranca?

 

[Robo]

Much closer.
Ponferrada is the next big town.
Looks like there are at least three.
1 and a bit days walk if you can make it.
Or you could do cruz de ferro, and just past Manjarin, take a taxi to Ponferrada. Taxi numbers are posted everywhere in that area.

 

[Lirsy]

If you go to Ponferrada, ask the hospitaleros in the Albergue Parroquial. There is an hospital dedicated to solve pilgrims issues for free. They will lead you there.

 

[VNwalking]

1 and a bit days walk if you can make it.

It can be done in a day, depending on your fitness - and that blister.
Buen camino, @Lauraeire . I hope the heel heals quickly!

 

[Robo]

It can be done in a day, depending on your fitness - and that blister.
Buen camino, @Lauraeire . I hope the heel heals quickly!

I agree, but just bear in mind, that the descent down to Molinaseca (7.7 kms before Ponferrada) is one of the hardest sections of the CF in my view. Not great with a bad blister

 

[t2andreo]

Alternatively, use Google Maps to find “podiatrist near me” (podologo cerca de aqui) when entering Ponferrada. Also ask at Albergue or hotel.

I have had to locate podiatrists (podólogo) twice, in Burgos (Frances) and Monforte de Leno’s (Invierno) to do in-office surgery on my right hoof... er heel. I get thick and frequently infected calluses. Never had a blister though... go figure...

You will be fine. The quality of health care in Spain is outstanding! I usually paid cash (en effectivo). It was CHEAP. I was happy to pay.

Hope this helps.

 

[OTH86]

Molinaseca and Astorga both have excellent health care for blisters, just call for taxi service to come and pick you up. The taxi can then retun you to Rabanal to restart your Camino. Good luck!

 

[David]

You do not need a podiatrist - any nurse or first aider will do - and, you can do this yourself if you have plasters and a couple of antiseptic swabs. The English refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal has a large first aid kit in the office cupboard (on the right hand wall as you go in).

Wash feet. Gently peel off the Compeed - it is pretty sticky but will come off (and never use one ever again) then clean the area thoroughly. Use an antiseptic swab - if no swab soap wash the area, rinse, and then wash with vodka or similar. Then with a sterilised needle held horizontal to the skin pierce two holes, one either end of the blister and gently push blister down and flat until ALL the liquid has gone (have a tissue ready to catch the liquid). Dry and then apply antiseptic cream and then cover with a large plaster (band aid) - ideally the type that has a central pad with adhesive all the way round - and also ideally fabric as waterproof plasters tend not to stay on.

Then cover with another large plaster to act as a protective cushion and you are sorted.

However!! If when you take the Compeed off you find that the blister has burst or is weeping and there is inflammation in and/or around the injury - cover it with a plaster and immediately get yourself off to a nurse or hospital as you may have an infection and/or the beginnings of blood poisoning.

But if it is just a large blister that hasn't broken open to the air then there can be no infection so do the above and you will be fine.

It really is simple and it is painless.

Oh - and throw the rest of your Compeeds away

- and if you have any questions please do message me - sorry I am not there - Buen Camino!

 

[walkingstu]

David you had most of us at, Vodka

 

[t2andreo]

Note: David is our resident first-responder and Camino medic. You can take what he says to the bank.

My first choice would be Albergue Gaulcelmi at Rabanal.

 

[Lauraeire]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just been to the pharmacy in Rabanal and they said do not remove the compeed, it's best to leave it as it is. I'll visit the health care in molinaseca (our next stop) if it get really bad.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Just been to the pharmacy in Rabanal and they said do not remove the compeed, it's best to leave it as it is.

It can be tricky to remove Compeed on a full blister without tearing the roof of skin off. That removal or tearing makes the blister more prone to infection. Compeed and similar products were intended to heal open sores. Using them as padding for foot blisters can lead to open sores. There are other ways to pad and protect blisters from being worn or abraded open.

 

[David]

Absolutely true but they can be peeled, if one is careful, I watched a doctor doing it once and learnt the trick then - but I guess a bit of a reach if she isn't used to doing it.

Walking with blisters is SO painful xx

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I should have mentioned earlier that a problem with Compeed is that as you walk the corners and edges of the pad come unstuck from your skin, roll up a bit and become stuck to your sock. Then when you remove your sock it can cause the blister roof to be torn off. Ya gotta be careful.

 

[annakappa]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just been to the pharmacy in Rabanal and they said do not remove the compeed, it's best to leave it as it is. I'll visit the health care in molinaseca (our next stop) if it get really bad.

The next stage is, IMHO one of the most rugged, slippery sections of the whole Camino Francés. If you walk it with a large blister, you most probably will try and 'compensate' by trying to take your weight off that foot, meaning that you could start with problems on the other foot. If in doubt, take a taxi, at least on the downward section, from Foncebadón onwards.

 

[OTH86]

If, by chance you continue walking after the Cruz de Ferro, and have more problems with your blister, DO stop in Acebo, and ask in one of the cafes, restaurants, private Casa or albergue if there is someone who can take you to Molinaseca - be sure and offer to pay what a taxi would charge - about 1 euro + per km. Again, good luck! By now you are probably in good shape since you're 9 hours ahead of me... Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

I should have mentioned earlier that a problem with Compeed is that as you walk the corners and edges of the pad come unstuck from your skin, roll up a bit and become stuck to your sock. Then when you remove your sock it can cause the blister roof to be torn off.

It's a good idea to cover at least the edgedyof the Compeed with something like Omnifix tape.

 

[t2andreo]

In a pinch and for a short time, like part of a day, even duck tape will work. But be careful as taking it off is a bear. It can easily rip off tender skin. Most everyone carries duck tape...

NOTE: This is only a field-expedient approach.. if nothing else is available.

Hope this helps.

 

[Former member 49149]

David you had most of us at, Vodka

You got it in one. Not that I drink vodka, but of course, who doesn't carry a range mini flasks for just this kind of emergency? All named Bernard, of course.

 

[t2andreo]

But of course. However, any clear distilled spirit will work in a pinch. Vodka is good, as is gin, because it has fewer impurities and tends to not have an odor, or leave a residue or stain.

I have been using 100 proof (50%) vodka to sterilize toothbrushes on my travels to countries with unsafe tap water for decades. When I travel to these places, none in Western Europe I hasten to add. In a pinch it does double duty in a mixed drink...

This tip is to carry a small (@ 125 ml / 4 oz) wide-mouth Nalgene bottle, and put the contents of a tiny airline bottle of liquor into it. I buy these tiny bottles in my local liquor store. They travel quite legally in my 3-1-1- bag in my carry-on. The Nalgene bottle travels empty, as it is larger than the 3 oz / 100 ml limit for carry on liquids. Works a treat!

Hope this helps.

 

[Lauraeire]

Got to molinaseca safe and sound. Wore my walking sandals most of the way. Was able to remove the compeed and got some supplies from the pharmacy to burst the blister and strap it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone you are all wonderful

 

[trecile]

Got to molinaseca safe and sound. Wore my walking sandals most of the way. Was able to remove the compeed and got some supplies from the pharmacy to burst the blister and strap it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone you are all wonderful

Perhaps continue in the sandals until the blister is fully healed. I also recommend applying Omnifix or Hypafix tape to any blister prone areas daily.

 

[annakappa]

Perhaps continue in the sandals until the blister is fully healed. I also recommend applying Omnifix or Hypafix tape to any blister prone areas daily.

Omnifix is fantastic. I think it should be promoted as far better option to Compeed!
You should put a piece of sterile gauze on the blister before covering the area with Omnifix.

 

[Canche]

Need a podiatrist I have a big blister on my heel and currently have compeed on it. Where will the nearest podiatrist be, Villafranca?

Go to tourist office. They can refer you. I did

 

[David]

Great!!! Stay with the sandals!!!!

 

[Bob Howard]

You do not need a podiatrist - any nurse or first aider will do - and, you can do this yourself if you have plasters and a couple of antiseptic swabs. The English refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal has a large first aid kit in the office cupboard (on the right hand wall as you go in).

Wash feet. Gently peel off the Compeed - it is pretty sticky but will come off (and never use one ever again) then clean the area thoroughly. Use an antiseptic swab - if no swab soap wash the area, rinse, and then wash with vodka or similar. Then with a sterilised needle held horizontal to the skin pierce two holes, one either end of the blister and gently push blister down and flat until ALL the liquid has gone (have a tissue ready to catch the liquid). Dry and then apply antiseptic cream and then cover with a large plaster (band aid) - ideally the type that has a central pad with adhesive all the way round - and also ideally fabric as waterproof plasters tend not to stay on.

Then cover with another large plaster to act as a protective cushion and you are sorted.

However!! If when you take the Compeed off you find that the blister has burst or is weeping and there is inflammation in and/or around the injury - cover it with a plaster and immediately get yourself off to a nurse or hospital as you may have an infection and/or the beginnings of blood poisoning.

But if it is just a large blister that hasn't broken open to the air then there can be no infection so do the above and you will be fine.

It really is simple and it is painless.

Oh - and throw the rest of your Compeeds away

- and if you have any questions please do message me - sorry I am not there - Buen Camino!

Just now came across this comment in 2019 from Camino Medic and Veteran Member David about Compeed: Part of his explanation and advice about Compeed included: "and never use one ever again", which caused me to chuckle, and heartily agree. (And not to start a new argument, but I believe a similar sentiment about "10% of your body weight" is in order.) David as well as Dave Bugg and others have clarified that Compeed is intended to be used on a blister with a missing roof, which makes sense inasmuch as the tech was developed to prevent open wound infection while providing a protective cover for healing. On my 2016 Camino I came across Compeed for the first time. And in my inexperience I misused it for cushioning on expected blister sites. It actually kind of worked, it seemed at the time. All this has been exhaustively discussed before, so no need to react or comment. I was actually just admiring David's knowledgeable and vaguely light-hearted post. The depth of knowledge about all things Camino on this Forum is astounding.