Pilgrim Healthcare by Nurse Red

Nurse Red:

As a recent graduate of the USF nursing program, I have taken a particular interest in the medical afflictions of fellow pilgrims and would like to offer some friendly advice for both the prevention and treatment of common Camino ailments.

BED BUGS


Prevention of bed bugs begins with treating your sleeping bag, clothes and backpack with permethrin (there also exist pretreated items). Based on our experience, tea tree oil appears to repel bed bugs, as well, so I advise putting it on the corners of the mattress where bed bugs like to dwell, in addition to dabbing it on the body before you go to sleep. When choosing your bed in the albergue, lift the fitted sheet and check the corners of the mattress for appleseed-sized insects, insect droppings and/or speckles of blood from past victims. If you see these hints of habitation, find another bed and fast.

If bed bugs do strike, wash all clothing, bags and bedding, and fumigate your backpack with a repellent. Cortisone cream provides relief from the bites, themselves, and aids in healing.

TICKS

The main way to prevent ticks is to NOT relieve oneself in the bushes and/or tall grass on the side of the path, especially if near a body of water. Also, wear long pants and know that light colored clothing makes it easier to see ticks if they do happen to hitchhike onto you. If you think you may have been in a questionable area, check yourself head to toe, or do like I did and have a trusted friend block you as you strip beneath a freeway underpass. FYI, it takes 24 hours after the tick burrows before Lyme disease can be transferred to the human host.

BLISTERS


Although Tess has covered foot maintenance in a previous blog, another blister tip is to tape toes so as to prevent friction. Particularly, paper medical tape is good for allowing the skin to breathe and moisture to evaporate. If blisters do befall you, you have two choices: 1) cover blisters with Moleskin or Compede and let them burst naturally when ready, or 2) use a sterilized needle (borrow a lighter from one of the many smokers on the Camino) with an attached piece of thread, then use the needle to pop the blister and keep the thread in (should pass through the skin in two places) to allow the fluid to drain.

FOOT & ANKLE INJURIES

The acronym we use in nursing school is R.I.C.E, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. For Rest, take a day or two off in bed. With Ice, apply it in 20 to 30 minute intervals, and then take it off for an equal amount of time or as needed. (Ice can be found in your local bar). Do not apply Ice directly to foot, but instead, wrap it in a towel. For Compression, you can use an ACE bandage or a pre made ankle compression brace. Make sure to check for sufficient circulation in the area below the wrap by pressing on the skin to blanch it. Color should return in three seconds or less. If it takes more than three seconds, the wrap may be too tight. Lastly, Elevation involves propping your foot up on a chair, blanket or pillow to keep swelling down. Additionally, oral or topical anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful, both of which can normally be found in pharmacies in France and Spain.

FUNGAL INFECTION


To keep fungus from infesting nails, please avoid at all cost any communal towels and sponges - i.e. in bathrooms and kitchens of bars and albergues. Also, wear flip-flops in the communal showers and dab tea tree oil once a day or so onto finger and toenails, since it acts as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent. We use undiluted essential oil of tea tree, as it is more potent; however, people with sensitive skin may want to dilute somewhat to avoid reactions. If fungus is among us, see the local pharmacist for a prescription anti-fungal and be sure to bring your translation dictionary to understand fully the dosage instructions.


Hopefully these tips will keep you parasite and injury free if you choose to undertake the Camino. Until next time, this is Nurse Red signing off.

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Location:Mansanillas de las Mulas, Spain