Toe Socks

[Liz Ward]

I have been training with injinji toe socks, original weight, thin cushioning. The days that I have hiked 6 or more miles a disturbing rash appears on the inside of both legs, above my boot line but where the sock is touching my leg. In the past I have hiked in smart wool socks, but for the Camino I liked the idea of toe socks because of blister prevention and no rubbing issues with toes. Has anyone experienced this issue? These socks are mostly polyester with some nylon and lycra. I do not have particularly sensitive skin.

Thanks for any insight,

Liz Ward
leaving Sept. 14, 2016

 

[BlackDog]

If it is painless and non-irritating, it may be capillaritis. Characterized by leakage of red blood cells from small, superficial blood vessels that result in pinpoint-like hemorrhages (petechiae).
I get it when I have walked in the heat and have stressed the leg by walking hard. I get it exactly where you describe it along the sock on the inside of my leg.

 

[Liz Ward]

I have been training with injinji toe socks, original weight, thin cushioning. The days that I have hiked 6 or more miles a disturbing rash appears on the inside of both legs, above my boot line but where the sock is touching my leg. In the past I have hiked in smart wool socks, but for the Camino I liked the idea of toe socks because of blister prevention and no rubbing issues with toes. Has anyone experienced this issue? These socks are mostly polyester with some nylon and lycra. I do not have particularly sensitive skin.

Thanks for any insight,

Liz Ward
leaving Sept. 14, 2016

If it is painless and non-irritating, it may be capillaritis. Characterized by leakage of red blood cells from small, superficial blood vessels that result in pinpoint-like hemorrhages (petechiae).
I get it when I have walked in the heat and have stressed the leg by walking hard. I get it exactly where you describe it along the sock on the inside of my leg.

Wow, thanks for the quick response. I did a bit more research on capillaritis and it sure seems that is what is ailing me. Fortunately it is not itchy or irritating. Looks like I will have to live with it while training in hot summer months. I'm glad I won't be on the Camino until mid September. the forum is always so helpful.

 

[luvtraveling]

I always got it whenever I wore wool socks. I have since switched to Injinji socks and have not had the problem at all.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The issue I get with Injinjis is that if worn day after day the skin where the bottom of my toes joins the rest of the foot starts to split apart. With the medium weight material I can it after 3 days, with the thinner weight it started happening about a week to 10 days into this Camino.

 

[auldies]

I have been training with injinji toe socks, original weight, thin cushioning. The days that I have hiked 6 or more miles a disturbing rash appears on the inside of both legs, above my boot line but where the sock is touching my leg. In the past I have hiked in smart wool socks, but for the Camino I liked the idea of toe socks because of blister prevention and no rubbing issues with toes. Has anyone experienced this issue? These socks are mostly polyester with some nylon and lycra. I do not have particularly sensitive skin.

Thanks for any insight,

Liz Ward
leaving Sept. 14, 2016

Hi Liz
I also had the same issues with my toes socks. My dermatologist diagnosed it as vasculitis - heat and compression related.
I too love my toe socks and initially bought 3 pair. I have since discovered that the band at the top of the socks is quite firm and the compression was causing the vasculitis to appear, particularly in the heat. Rather than not use them (as they are quite expensive), I folded the band down to sit on my ankle and it was no longer an issue. In hindsight, I should have bought the ankle ones. I have since purchased a slightly thicker pair of the ankle ones, but I still prefer the thinner ones. I had no other issues with the socks. We have just finished the Camino Frances.
Hope this helps.
Carol

 

[C clearly]

It's a very common condition, sometimes called hiker's rash or golfer's vasculitis. There is a thread here, discussing it. It seems that different solutions work (or not) for different folks, but it isn't generally seen as a dangerous condition. It could be related to the material of your socks, but I doubt that the toe feature is the problem.

 

[happymarkos]

I have been training with injinji toe socks, original weight, thin cushioning. The days that I have hiked 6 or more miles a disturbing rash appears on the inside of both legs, above my boot line but where the sock is touching my leg. In the past I have hiked in smart wool socks, but for the Camino I liked the idea of toe socks because of blister prevention and no rubbing issues with toes. Has anyone experienced this issue? These socks are mostly polyester with some nylon and lycra. I do not have particularly sensitive skin.

Thanks for any insight,

Liz Ward
leaving Sept. 14, 2016

Hi Liz I walked the Frances part of the way with Smart Wool toe socks and found they wore out fairly quickly and didn't seem to be any particular benefit. Since then haven't gone back to them however a podiatrist recently told me NOT to put cream between my toes as it can cause problems and lead to fungus etc. She said the part between the toes needs to stay dry to avoid any issues. It also depends if you are a "greaser or a strapper" (i.e do you cream your feet of put strapping on them; I am a greaser before each walk to keep the skin soft; a highly contentious topic also.
Mark

 

[Dennis D]

I put "Gloves in a Bottle" on my feet and especially between my toes. Then I wear Injinji sock liner toe socks under light wool socks. No problems with blisters. I learned about this method after walking my first Camino where I had blisters on my heels and under most of my toes. This year, not one blister or hikers rash.

 

[Liz Ward]

Thanks again to all those that replied. I have purchased a german brand foot cream, will roll my socks down and hope for the best. Fortunately my walk will not be in the hotter months, but training in Washington, DC in July and August is very hot. Once again the forum has come through with sage advice.

 

[Telelama]

I wear Injinji sock liner toe socks under light wool socks. No problems with blisters. I learned about this method after walking my first Camino where I had blisters on my heels and under most of my toes. This year, not one blister or hikers rash.

Did this, same results