Tough sections on the knees

[pieter pannevis]

Dear all,
I do hope this issue settles it all !

Take care ( and your time) there is no need to rush the Camino and harm your
servants

Pieter
The Netherlands
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Foot Care for the Camino
by Judith Brooke, M.F.Phys., R.M.T., 
Licensed Aesthetician (1981)
 
As infants, the skin on our feet is smooth and soft. As we begin walking the sole of the skin toughens. 
In many cases, as we age the skin forms calluses in some areas of the sole depending on how we 
plant our feet. Callouses are caused by persistent friction. In many cases, if the callous is not sanded 
or shaved off, the skin may crack leaving the body vulnerable to infection from minor inflammation to 
fungus. The formation of a callous is not evident until it is there. No formation sensation is noticed. 
People who walk on the 5th toe have a hard ridge on the outer portion of the toe. This area is a 
likely place for the formation of a blister.
Blisters are also caused by persistent friction, but are filled with fluid and are usually associated with 
hot moist feet, but not always. If a blister is left unchecked and the friction continues, infection may 
set in and delay the healing process causing extreme discomfort. On occasion, a blister will form on a 
callous making it difficult to heal. The formation of a blister is noticeable. The feet will feel hot, and 
one or more spots will become uncomfortable. When exposing the feet, the affected areas will look 
red and slightly tender. If not tended to and the friction continues, the hot spot will fill with fluid. 
Blisters on the Camino can in the worst cases, engulf the whole toe or pad of the foot lifting many 
layers of skin with it.
It is my recommendation that every pilgrim before the journey should have a pedicure to shave and 
sand any callouses and take note of any hot spots that have formed during daily activity. These hot 
spots may be potential blisters on the Camino.
While preparing for the Camino, check the feet following each long walk/hike for any hot spots. If 
they exist make sure "compeed" is part of your first aid kit and use these pads on these hot spots at 
the beginning of the Camino to prevent problems.
Foot care preparations are very useful in preventing problems.
I have used Gehwol products for the past 22 years both professionally and personally. I have tried 
other products, but none come close to their quality. Gehwol is made in Germany but is available in 
many arts of the world. In North America it is only available through a professional. In other parts of 
the world it could be the same, but may also be in pharmacies. The use of foot cream protects the 
skin from the sock and shoe friction by gliding those items over the skin rather than causing friction. 
A foot powder helps to keep the foot dry as well as helping with the gliding action.
The Gehwol products are made from lanolin, herbs and essential oils. These ingredients will help heal 
any irritations as well.Vaseline is often mentioned by some pilgrims. The people I saw with huge 
blisters were using Vaseline. This product is like using plastic wrap around your feet. The skin can't 
breath, so moisture is trapped and saturates the skin making this an ideal place for blisters to form.
 Daily Care on the Camino:
 Every day on the Camino the feet need to be checked over carefully. Watch for hot spots and 
tenderness. After showering, apply a credible foot cream and massage the feet, making sure the 
cream is applied evenly and between the toes and under them. Apply a dusting of foot powder both 
on the foot and in the shoe. During the day's hike, if you remove your shoes to cool your feet in the 
fountain (and I recommend this highly), make sure you apply cream and powder again.
At the end of the day, apply cream and if you have a pair of sandals, wear them to air your feet. The 
"smart wool" socks that have been mentioned are better than cotton, because wool absorbs moisture 
and keeps the hot feet from being saturated with sweat. The wool also means you can wear them 
even if they haven't dried overnight as they will continue to protect your feet even when wet. They 
may feel cold when you first put wet sock on, but they warm up quickly and aren't noticeable at all.
 Your shoes are critical and must be worn-in before you embark on the Camino. Your choice of 
shoes is a personal preference according to what your feet dictate. But the shoe should be 
supportive for the type of hike. Purchasing your foot ware should be done at a store that specializes 
in outfitting such activities. Clerks in shoe stores and sports stores aren't necessarily trained to help 
you.
Most cross-country runners are good for about 400k. My feet began burning around that time. Next 
time I go, I will take along a second inner sole that I have broken in, and exchange them when hit 
that mark. When the shoe is old you will feel like you are walking barefoot on cement. There is little 
cushion left. So I theorize that at least replacing the inner sole will help.
How to fix a blister
I have seen some pilgrims thread their blisters. They have a normal needle and thread, put the needle 
into the edge of the blister and draw the thread through and create a running stitch through the blister. 
This allows the fluid to drain without removing the skin, which will expose the raw tissue underneath. 
I've never done this but apparently it works well. I would add "compeed" to protect this blister and 
promote healing.
Smaller blisters are easily dealt with by using the "compeed". It stays on for days even with sweating 
and showering. Make sure you put compeed on before the foot cream so it will adhere.
 Foot care kit
?       Foot cream
?       Foot powder
?       Compeed or its likeness (compeed is available in stores along the Camino (in North 
America Johnson's puts out the same thing under its own name)
?       Foot file to sand the callouses
?       Nail clipper (if gone for more than 3 weeks)
?       2 sets of socks (if using the 2 sock method of 1 thin micro fibre & 
?       1 smart wool)
?       Extra set of inner soles broken-in
 
Hope this helps. 
Ultreya
Judith