[pct-l] Re: Blister Treatment

[matt at mattmaxon.com (Matt Maxon)]

Another problem I over looked recently is callouses, large hard callouses
can add to the problem as they become like an object rubbing on the soft
tissue underneath, as I discovered Thursday while hiking "Plantar Hell" from
the "Luck5" water cache to S2.

One way around the blister adhesion problem I have used is to apply petrolem
jelly or neosporin to the blister. This prevents the tape from sticking to
the blister and the resulting unpleasant consequences.
----- Original Message ----- 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 10:52:03 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Karl Brandt <kbrandt@cats.ucsc.edu>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <Pine.GSU.4.58.0404101044030.24565@unix1.ic.ucsc.edu>
> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
>
> On Sat, 10 Apr 2004, Jesse Whyte wrote:
>
> > Anyone have any nifty secrets they'd be willing to share?  The basics
> > being a given, of course:  treat hot spots immediately, use moleskin
> > liberally, and make sure that shoes/boots fit perfectly.  Anyone have
> > any problems with new insoles causing blisters or anything else that
> > really surprised them in the desert segment?
>
> Actually, I find moleskin does more harm than good. It's never slowed the
> progression of blisters for me and always rips open the blisters they were
> meant to stop when removed.
>
> Spenco Second-Skin on the other hand worked miracles. Even torn exposed
> blisters would heal underneath while continuing to hike. Also, I like to
> pop blisters fairly early with a sterile needle. This keeps them from
> getting so engorged as to grow or even break.
>
> I found the technique in Jardine's book of taking one's shoes & socks off
> at _every_ break very helpful. Besides, it just plain felt good.
>
> After the fitting of your foot wear, I'd say that choice of socks is most
> critical. For me, thin liner socks with any heavy over-sock worked best.
> The perfect setup for you will of course vary.
>
> -Karl
>
> *********************************************************************
> Karl Brandt
> http://people.ucsc.edu/~kbrandt/
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 11:16:36 -0700
> From: "Robert E. Riess" <cdrriess1@cox.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Blister Treatment
> To: "PCT-L" <PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <002001c41f27$f68f7980$6401a8c0@sd.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I have had good luck treating blisters with a needle and thread, and duct
tape.  For any foot blister bigger than a nickle, put three inches of cotton
thread on a needle and pass it through the blister.  Remove the needle,
leaving the thread in place, ie, passing through the blister.  This will
wick out the moisture, and keep it out.  Cover with duct tape. Remove the
thread after the skin has toughened up.  I find the callous forms and the
blister heals more quickly than with other methods.
> Hike on !!  Bob Riess at the Trailhead in San Diego
>
> ------------------------------
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 20:35:40 -0700
> From: "Bill Wilson" <email2bill@cox.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert The BIG Secret
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Cc: Daniel Gant <danielgant@cox.net>
> Message-ID: <000001c41f76$132cc680$6600a8c0@cx2050470a>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> We just hiked Section A of the PCT mid March when it was in the mid
> 80's. Probably not unlike the heat (or more!) thru hikers will get
> leaving after end of April.
>
> I think the BIG secret to blister care is prevention by planning your
> first week better. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Paul and
> Pat at Hiker's Oasis in Anza. Wonderful trail angels who take hikers
> into their home up near Anza, about 2 days above Warners.  Pat and Paul
> will probably be discussed at the zero day meeting. It's important you
> get to know who they are. Hikers Oasis is about 130 miles above the
> border. Paul says he has had literally hundreds of hikers stopping by
> for foot care, blisters, bad knees etc at their place. This is the foot
> hospital of the beginning of the trail!!!  Now there is a big message!!
> Think about it
>
>
>
> The principle reason hikers are there soaking their feet is because they
> push too hard the first week. Trying to get in 20+ miles a day!! Your
> feet just can't take that unless they have toughed up. Thru hikers feet
> will toughen with time and at the end of the trail, you will probably be
> able to do 25 mile days with no feet problems.
>
>
>
> Paul says they bust their buns the first few days, and kill their feet,
> all to end up waiting at Kennedy Meadows because they are too early for
> the snow.
>
>
>
> So the best advice is SLOW down at the beginning, do 8 to 10 mile days.
> Let your feet toughen, and then in time you can move fast. That is the
> BEST blister prevention of all.
>
>
>
> I believe him, I think more hikers planning their trip need to consider
> this.
>
>
>
> Other things I learned on my hike (in which by the way, we didn't listen
> to Paul's advice, tried for 20+ mile days and GOT blisters!!)
>
>
>
> * Was that good old Duct tape should be in your blister kit. It
> has about the best adhesion you can get. Johnson and Johnson adhesive I
> think is designed to fail so they will sell more tape and bandaids!!
> * Sock liners  yes. I found advice in Yogi's book, forgot who
> recommended it, but cheap nylon mens dress socks ( I got at Ross)
> worked great!! Wear two one as a liner, worked as good as Smart Wool or
> other material.
> * Bring some Benzoin Tincture. Use Qtip to spread it where tape
> will be wrapped, not on the blister.  Yep some of you may have heard of
> it. It's a brown liquid, hard to find. REI sold some in a small package.
> You can get it as some Drug Stores.  It looks almost like iodine
> solution. It's used by surgeons to make bandages adhere better in wet
> environment. It is called a "protectorant" whatever the hell that is. I
> use it surfing. You put some on under a bandaid adhesive and it will
> stay on in the surf!!!  It makes your skin REAL sticky (and brown). I
> don't think it works with duct tape adhesive, but for bandaids, and
> other tape with typical LOUSY adhesion, it works miracles. Because the
> other big secret to blister care is when you put a nice pad on the
> blister and tape it, you want the bandage to STAY on in your hot, wet
> socks, while your swollen feet are rubbing it and making it come
> off.tough task
> * I feel you SHOULD NOT break the blister. Let it do its job as a
> protective mass. As soon as you pierce it, the air gets to it and pain
> begins. Just another point of view.
> * Stop every two hours and take your boots/shoes off and cool the
> dogs. Let your feet cool, fix the tape, relax and take a break.
> * Stop at Hikers Oasis and heal your blisters. They have Epson
> salts and pans to soak in!!!
> * MOST IMPORTANT, I repeat it again, SLOW DOWN in Section A, let
> your feet get tough. Do 8 to 12 miles the first week. Some can go 16
> miles per day but slow down!!!
>
>
>
> Hope this helps or is food for thought!
>
> Bill Wilson
>
> email2bill@cox.net
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 16
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 00:40:14 EDT
> From: StoneDancer1@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <127.3e4f52d2.2daa262e@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> After a lifetime of blisters caused by monstrous leather boots, I have
seen
> the LIGHT!  I wear size 13AAAA NB 801's ( also 806's).  These are 2 sizes
> larger than my normal shoe and at least two A's wider.  I wear a single,
> lightweight sock.  Though it may sound as though the ghost of Bozo the
Clown has invaded
> my psyche, it works.!  In a thousand miles, I suffered from Zero blisters.
I
> was so enamored of the Mojave that I did it two years in a row... I know,
I
> know, it's an illness...what can I say?
>
>
> "No Way"
> Ray Echols
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 17
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 00:45:59 EDT
> From: StoneDancer1@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert The BIG Secret
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <108.2e4761ff.2daa2787@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> In a message dated 4/10/2004 8:36:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> email2bill@cox.net
>
writes:.....................................................................
.........................................
>
>
>
>
> <<<<<<hiked Section A of the PCT mid March when it was in the mid 80's.
> Probably not unlike the heat (or more!) thru hikers will get leaving after
end of
> April.>>>>>>>>
>
>
> San Felipe Hills , May 1, 2001, 3PM.... 104F
>
>
> "No Way"
> Ray Echols
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 18
> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 23:25:12 -0700
> From: "Marshall Karon" <m.karon@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] trail pass
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>, "John McElligott" <jm@gol.com>
> Message-ID: <001001c41f8d$beefe8a0$6401a8c0@YOUR357898FF1F>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I believe a pass is only needed in the section from Echo Lake to I80
through
> the the Desolation Wilderness. Permits could be picked up at Lake Tahoe.
At
> one point, some one told be that thru hikers on the PCT didn't need a
pass.
> but, I think that has changed.
>
> Marshall Karon
> Portland, OR
> m.karon@comcast.net
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John McElligott" <jm@gol.com>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 5:56 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] trail pass
>
>
> >
> > Coming in from japan for a PCT segment from Ebbitts pass to Highway 80.
> > What is the easiest way to get a trail permit without running around
> > too much?
> >
> > Tokio John
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 19
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 00:51:31 -0700
> From: "Kent Ryhorchuk" <kentr-lists@sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] risk the fine? - ursack?
> To: "'Joseph Niemiec'" <whitethunder10@hotmail.com>,
> <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <000001c41f99$ce17a550$6400a8c0@OFFICE>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Since I am leaving for the trail in a week, I am tempted jump onto one
> of these threads with my opinion on food storage. I'll just shut down my
> email and let the flame war rage. But not today.
>
> Joe, should you choose to rent a can, the better Bearikade cans can be
> rented via mail from their website: http://wild-ideas.net/index2.html
>
> HYOH
> Kent.
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 20
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 05:01:37 EDT
> From: Lonetrail@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] trail pass
> To: m.karon@comcast.net, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net, jm@gol.com
> Message-ID: <141.26a016f8.2daa6371@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> I went from Ebbet Pass to I-80 last August only with my PCT Pass. Did not
see
> a ranger the whole time. A lot of people and Dogs from Echo Summit to
Dick's
> Pass. I did it Solo.
> Camp sites were full in that area. Tinker's Knob has a lot of traffic
> believe a pass is only needed in the section from Echo Lake to I80 through
> the the Desolation Wilderness. Permits could be picked up at Lake Tahoe.
At
> one point, some one told be that thru hikers on the PCT didn't need a
pass.
> but, I think that has changed.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 21
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 07:27:38 EDT
> From: Slyatpct@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] risk the fine? - ursack?
> To: whitethunder10@hotmail.com, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <66.3ee96f0b.2daa85aa@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> In a message dated 4/11/2004 12:23:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> whitethunder10@hotmail.com writes:
>
> > Wondering what most people are going to carry for a bear bag.  I'm
guessing
> >
> > most won't carry a bear canister (even in required areas).
> >
>
> What "required areas" are those anyway?
>
> Unless things have changed in the last few years, as a PCT thru-hiker, you
> should be able to take advantage of the bear boxes or stealth camp and
hike
> through the only one I'm aware of near Tully Hole.
>
> YMMV,
>
> Sly
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 22
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 07:09:05 -0700
> From: "Eric Yakel" <eyakel@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert
> To: "Jesse Whyte" <jesse_a_whyte@yahoo.com>,
> <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <000901c41fce$9219b9a0$a7c0b3d1@David>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> When my feet start getting hot and feel a little bit swollen I stop at
least
> every hour and take off both shoes and socks.  I let them cool off for
5-10
> minutes.  This seems to work wonders.
>                             Eric
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jesse Whyte" <jesse_a_whyte@yahoo.com>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 7:10 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Foot care secrets in the desert
>
>
> > Anyone have any nifty secrets they'd be willing to share?  The basics
> being a given, of course:  treat hot spots immediately, use moleskin
> liberally, and make sure that shoes/boots fit perfectly.  Anyone have any
> problems with new insoles causing blisters or anything else that really
> surprised them in the desert segment?
> >
> > TIA,
> >
> > Mala
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 23
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 09:14:53 -0700
> From: "AsABat" <AsABat@4Jeffrey.Net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Independance Groceries
> To: "Philip Hough" <nowhere_man97@hotmail.com>,
> <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <004701c41fe0$1fe2a920$1601010a@sd.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
>
> I think the confusion came because a couple years ago the market was for
> sale and the owner was not restocking. I don't recall if the market was
sold
> or not, but it seems all is well now.
>
> Besides Subway, Independence has a great French Algerian restaurant called
> the Still Life Cafe.
>
> Worse case, Lone Pine is a 15 minute drive (hitch) south with a market and
> many restaurants.
>
> AsABat
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 24
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 09:25:47 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Tony DiLorenzo <tdilopct@yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Snow Creek
> To: pct-l <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <20040411162547.13347.qmail@web10301.mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Just got back from a nice family walk on the PCT at
> Snow Creek.  We got up to the water fountain and the
> water is flowing.  There looks like there is still
> plenty of snow on the north side of San Jacinto.
> Great day up there.  Good luck class of 2004
>
> Tony DiLorenzo
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 25
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 09:30:15 -0700
> From: "Judson Brown" <judsonb@internetcds.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Ashland Hostel
> To: "pctl (E-mail)" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <000001c41fe2$456feed0$765bf142@pounder>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I noticed today that the Ashland Hostel, prime digs for many a thru-hiker,
> is up for sale. I have no other info at this time, but I'll keep y'all
> posted if there will be any significant changes.
>
> Judson
> Ashland
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 26
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 12:40:04 EDT
> From: CharlieJones@aol.com
> Subject: [pct-l] Lone Pine Coffee Shop
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <2b.548a5c57.2daacee4@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> Someone mentioned "a great coffee shop" in Lone Pine the other day. Due to
a
> "senior moment," I couldn't think of the name at the time. It's called
PJ's
> Coffee Shop ... good food and a great view of Mt. Whitney.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 27
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 09:48:36 -0700
> From: "PCT Mailing List" <pct@DelNorteResort.Com>
> Subject: [pct-l] South Sisters Bulge
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <001601c41fe4$d74bf360$320c10ac@zoot>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Here's an article in todays Bend Bulletin about the recent swarm
> of earthquakes in the area and comparison to Mt. St. Helens.
>
>    https://www.bendbulletin.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=13196
>
> Scott Parks
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Art          : http://DelNorteResort.Com/art
> Home     : http://DelNorteResort.Com/
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/options/pct-l
>
>
>
> End of pct-l Digest, Vol 12, Issue 16
> *************************************
>