Ampollas!

A blog about the Camino would not be complete without a post regarding ampollas, or blisters.  Once an area of irritation begins to form, or "a hot spot", it must be addressed immediately.  There are no shortage of remedies passed among pilgrims.  Everyone is an expert.  We have heard many approaches which I would like to share.  Vaseline, one should keep the toes free of friction by applying vaseline every few hours.  Liner socks, move inside the main sock and are meant to protect the foot skin from friction.  Pads, that´s right, not just for women.  Pads are placed on the insole to absorb any moisture (pads with wings help the pad stay put, but are not necessary).  Retying the boots in a certain pattern to reduce movement.  Compeed, it´s like a second skin that has some strange medicine in is to help reduce the blister once it has formed, (although it can expand the size of the blister) and should not be removed.  Duct tape, it seemed a little barbaric, so I didn´t try it, although Brian brought some along.  Syringes can be used to suck out the fluid and pus. Another barbaric technique that I now swear by is the needle and thread remedy.  A threaded needle is passed through the blister, and then tied off so the fluid can slowly wick out without opening the entire blister to an infection.  We also saw someone with huge cotton balls taped to their heals.  Tape can be used, but then I found all of my toes sticking together like one massive club foot, which led to other discomforts.  Really, when it comes down to it, you just do whatever seems to work for you.  Or, be like Brian, who claims that he has so much foot surface area that a blister or callus cannot be formed. Lucky.