Playa Illness and Injury

[theCryptofishist]

Somehow, I read this:

Tested all twelve of the new solar lights and they all worked!

I bought 35 of those last week and am going to pick up another 35 this week!

only 2 of them didn't work and are in the car to be returned.

I just had the box of 35 out in the sun today charging them up!

70 - wow - your camp must glow at night I use them to highlight my tent (6), Monkey hut (6) and Jeep (6 including two on the bike rack that sticks out) in hopes that they will keep people from walking into them at night. Last year I walked into my bike rack the first night and bore a scabby semi swollen nose all week

... and I think, yeah, aren't we all perversely proud of our playa injuries? Don't we all sorta brag about them? Aren't they a rite of passage in of themselves?

I took six bags of saline one year, 2005, maybe?

[BBadger]

I like how it's like "Oh look, my leg has some sort of scratch on it, and it's bleeding... or was bleeding, and now the playa dust has sealed the wound. Oh look at that thing over there!" (*wound forgotten*)

[Aurelia]

It took three years and two Dr.s to diagnose and treat my sons's "playa foot" a few years ago
and this from a medically hip household
it was called supporating sores and now of course we know
xoA.

[geospyder]

I'm prepared this year. I have bacon shaped band aids!

[Eric]

I have been given official orders from The Boyfriend to not injure myself this year - apparently he thinks cracking my ribs twice in the last 3 Burns is plenty. I've decided it's the curse of the Grand Sierra, because it only happens in years we stay there after the event.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I'm two for two with finger injuries:

My first year, I slit my thumb open cutting food, patched it up neatly with the help of a campmate ...and then re-opened it because I decided playing Super Street Fire took priority over letting wounds stay shut.

My second year, I pinched a campmate's pinkie finger between a board and a screw while trying to fix a wobbly sawhorse - he jerked his hand back reflexively in a movement that tore a huge chunk of flesh off the tip of the finger. I felt horrible having injured a friend, but he took it in a very upbeat way, especially considering it must have hurt like the dickens all week and will never be the same as it was.

[VultureChow]

For me it's the bruises. Taking that first shower and seeing all the random bruises from stumbling in the tent or falling off the bike.

Life is so sedentary now for me, that it makes me feel like a kid again all roughed up from biking and hiking and whatever sports I was playing all summer long.

[Drawingablank]

For me it's losing my voice by the time the gate opens - every year. Hopefully my plan to counter that will work this year.

Although I did fracture my wrist 2 years ago, I usually get more cuts and bruises at work then on the playa.

[ygmir]

I"m still gimping a little and lost feeling in a patch of leg, from falling over backwards and with my leg stuck between to crosses. I have more eye/contact trouble than most anything, out there.
Made some boric acid eye wash to see if that helps.

[tamarakay]

First year, after being on playa two hours I sliced my finger open requiring stitches. Plus I tend to trip over things a lot out there, hence the nickname boo-boo. Off playa I'm not accident prone at all.
Last year I hyper-extended my thumb, had to wear a brace all week. Could not grip the handlebars of the bike.
Plus, when i changed my hormone patch on Monday I neglected to take my old one off. So, it was like having Pms all week. So. Much. Fun.

I can not say enough good things about the medical care I received. From the care provided by camp mates, to the wonderful crew at the med area at 3:00 and the main camp. The private tour I had of the man, the temple, and other art as my go cart ambulance driver and I got lost going from 3 to center camp medical was fun too.

[TruthSeekingLuvMachine]

Has anyone else gotten chemical burns on not-your-feet? This year will be my third Burn. The first year, I did little in the way of hygeine, except that I wiped myself down with vinegar and baby wipes about 3 times. Last year, I didn't even do that. Big mistake. I was doing fine until one day (maybe the 3rd or 4th day, definitely somewhere in the middle) I got a horrible stomachache. I went and sat in the potty for a while. As you all probably know, the potties are little humid ovens. Between that and my stomach pain, I got pretty sweaty. When I left, I dried off again pretty quickly in the playa air, and didn't think much of it.

But the next day I had three small sores on my legs that burned. I recognized them as chemical burns, and figured it was from dissolving the dust in my sweat while I was in the potty. I wiped my legs down with vinegar but that just made them burn worse - everywhere, not just where the sores were. It was like I was wiping down my legs with lye or something. Ow. I repeated this two or three times a day for the rest of the burn anyway, but it didn't help much - the sores kept growing. They were larger than quarters by the time I left. I didn't know what to do to make them stop growing other than what I was doing - vinegar, then keeping them as clean and dry as I could. I considered going to the med station but I figured mine was probably the most minor problem ever and I didn't want to waste their time. Also I didn't want to see a bunch of illness and injury. As soon as we left the playa and I took a shower they started healing, and are gone now with no scarring or anything.

So, two questions - has this happened to anyone else? And, will preventative vinegar wipedowns actually prevent this? I felt like it was actually just making everything worse.

[shroom]

I didn't get sores or playa foot, just some blisters from one pair of my shoes.

I did the vinegar but also washed with bronner's soap and water each day. It's a natural and felt great. Maybe that would help your skin and not be as strong as just vinegar.

[BeeWeeDee]

Two weeks ago at E-11 (that serves as my shakedown trip for TTITD) I dislocated my shoulder putting up the tipi. I was very grateful for the medical tent and nearby urgent care services in Tooele. Got the shoulder popped back in and enjoyed the rest of the event. Upon taking the tipi down, I popped the shoulder out AGAIN and another trip to the urgent care center - But this time they got the shoulder almost in and in my razor sharp thinking I proceeded to self treat myself using weights and a bandanna at a remote highway rest stop to resolve things the rest of the way. Fast forward 9 days and two followup primary care visits and lo-and-behold, the shoulder is still out of whack and it takes anesthesia and a medical team to make it right.

Now - my razor sharp thinking is conjuring up ways to bring the tipi to the playa. Do I ask for assistance? Help? Winches and tackle?

The dull blade of pain tells me to revert to plan B and reduce the scope of my shelter but many of you know what happens when you don't get to do things like you want to.

[FIGJAM]

Bring lots of extra beer and ask for help.

You'll be fine.

[C187]

... and I think, yeah, aren't we all perversely proud of our playa injuries? Don't we all sorta brag about them? Aren't they a rite of passage in of themselves?

For some sure, but I don't like to talk about my main playa injury anymore. I kind of wish others wouldn't talk about it.

[Mojojita]

I don't think I will ever again hesitate to buy the Careflight medivac insurance. It's inexpensive, especially considering the cost without it. Would have used it last year instead of driving my hubby to the ER in Reno. That was one of the longest drives in my life. His too, no doubt.

[Mojojita]

Bring lots of extra beer and ask for help.

You'll be fine.

Yes, this. Don't hesitate to seek help. Not asking when you need it is like denying people the opportunity to participate in gifting.

[theCryptofishist]

Bring lots of extra beer and ask for help.

You'll be fine.

Yes, this. Don't hesitate to seek help. Not asking when you need it is like denying people the opportunity to participate in gifting.

And then they will corner poor cripples who have wonderful and creative work-arounds and foist unwanted help upon them, thereby spreading the cranky.

[Timezone LaFontaine]

I was arriving late one night, probably 2am, setting up my tent in the dark, and suddenly was clocked in the back of the head by a ladder that someone was silently walking through the area in order to go sneak a flag from a rival camp. Neither one of us had any lights. Fortunately I'm extremely thick-headed and it wasn't a significant injury.

Year before last I did take my first trip to the med tent, because I gave myself a big cut on my calf while walking my bike through a very dusty and rutted street. It was a mountain bike and the pedals have little teeth on 'em - one of 'em caught me in the back of the leg as I was walking it along. Not a terrible wound but it was enough of a cut that I figured I should get it cleaned and bandaged, and I just happened to be right near the med tent at that moment.

Only other med tent experience I've had was escorting someone with a big chunk of playa stuck in their eye to it to get it flushed out. He seemed really reluctant to go - we tried flushing it with my saline solution at first, but couldn't do it - but I finally convinced him that the sooner he went and did it, the sooner he'd be back to having a good time.

[MyDearFriend]

...He seemed really reluctant to go ... but I finally convinced him that the sooner he went and did it, the sooner he'd be back to having a good time.

This. Professional people are standing by 24/7 waiting for you to walk in with a good story. So don't hesitate. Okay, yes, try to cope on your own, that's admirable, but don't dick around making it worse.

Medevac insurance is a good idea. Can someone post a link?

Oh and SKIN CARE, yes, take a tip here from an expert. Use DILUTE vinegar in water (one teaspoon per quart), with soap, to get the dust out of all the tiny cracks in your skin. Then apply a generous coating of grease to keep the dust out. I like Badger Balm for hands & feet and coconut oil for my tender bits, but anything that will seal the surface will work. Dry dust is lovely but wet dust will eat you right up.

[Savannah]

...He seemed really reluctant to go ... but I finally convinced him that the sooner he went and did it, the sooner he'd be back to having a good time.

This. Professional people are standing by 24/7 waiting for you to walk in with a good story. So don't hesitate. Okay, yes, try to cope on your own, that's admirable, but don't dick around making it worse.

Medevac insurance is a good idea. Can someone post a link?

Oh and SKIN CARE, yes, take a tip here from an expert. Use DILUTE vinegar in water (one teaspoon per quart), with soap, to get the dust out of all the tiny cracks in your skin. Then apply a generous coating of grease to keep the dust out. I like Badger Balm for hands & feet and coconut oil for my tender bits, but anything that will seal the surface will work. Dry dust is lovely but wet dust will eat you right up.

Yes!

The only time I ever started to get playa foot it was because I got dust trapped behind sweaty toes in tight sandals. If I wear loose flip-flops for a few hours a day I can ( . . . as a playa-tested, mildly reckless individual . . . ) get away with occasional dusty feet, but when that dust gets wet, it's trouble time.

Raking a half-dried baby wipe up your calf will do the same thing: a painful red rash in about 5 minutes. Saturate that wipe with some soap and water / dilute vinegar / lemon juice and clean lavishly. Be gentle. Pat dry. And then moisturize to finish, and cover in clean socks or clean clothes for a while. For best results, you cannot skip lotion or balm at the end. Dr. Palmer's lotion and balm are pretty great.

Keep your 1) refill-size baby wipes in 2) a 2.5 gallon ziploc slider bag, i.e. double-bagged, and they won't dry out even if one bag doesn't quite seal, and it's a better number of wipes.

[Sham]

I contacted my insurance agent that covers my health insurance, and it turns out that a med-flight IS covered on my insurance. The chances of actually needing it slim, so if your regular insurance does cover it, you will not have to waste money on additional and overlapping coverage.

[Aurelia]

Yesterday after a little too much of a work-out
my knee gave out really gave out ..and I freaked thinking.. "what if this was the playa instead of Marin where my main decision is how can I still dance till I drop"
but it is fine today
taking along some extra care in the form of a big man just in case I lean over
xoA.

[Roundabout]

Medevac insurance is a good idea. Can someone post a link?

I contacted my insurance agent that covers my health insurance, and it turns out that a med-flight IS covered on my insurance. The chances of actually needing it slim, so if your regular insurance does cover it, you will not have to waste money on additional and overlapping coverage.

Never assume that what is in one person's policy is also covered in your own policy!! Many people are still holding lousy health insurance policies out there. Others still do not have health insurance at all. I found a site that was helpful in comparing and reviewing various travel insurance companies and policies and bought a med-vac policy yesterday to cover my BM trip. PM me if you want the URL.

[lilwoo]

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I recently suffered from 2nd degree burns from a firework accident. My Dr. has recommended I keep the wound covered with an antibiotic cream and sterile pads. I'm not sure my wounds will heal before the burn. Although they have improved, I still have many layers of skin to regrow... I'm worried about the alkaline dust there, even if my wound is covered with a sterile pad and secured with medical tape. Anybody have any experience with how to keep wounds clean? My Dr has also recommended that I not get my burn wet... Not sure what to do because I've never had open wounds on the playa before. THANKS!

[GreyCoyote]

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I recently suffered from 2nd degree burns from a firework accident. My Dr. has recommended I keep the wound covered with an antibiotic cream and sterile pads. I'm not sure my wounds will heal before the burn. Although they have improved, I still have many layers of skin to regrow... I'm worried about the alkaline dust there, even if my wound is covered with a sterile pad and secured with medical tape. Anybody have any experience with how to keep wounds clean? My Dr has also recommended that I not get my burn wet... Not sure what to do because I've never had open wounds on the playa before. THANKS!

I'm not a doctor, but if you come to the playa with open wounds like that, my guess is you'll be seeing one before long. This seems like trouble in the making to me.

This being said, I'm stubborn enough I probably wouldn't follow my own advice, so maybe spend some time with your nursing team before you go and learn how to best care for yourself under playa conditions. Also get an idea of what signs mean "you need to go to the MedTent ASAP".

[Sunbeam56]

I agree that you need to talk to your Dr about your plans. Second degree is not that bad.
But - whore's baths, not full immersion.
Multiple wound cleanings daily... And double layers of protection.
Is your wound on your face? If so, dress it normally and then add a mask, like a wrestler, or a balaklava, like a skiier.
Dust will get in. Just do what you can to sterilize things.
And if you take a fever- pop over to the medtent without any delay.

Ps.. The dust may exaggerate any scarring.

[theCryptofishist]

You might try asking ESD. If nothing else, they might be able to give you the correct vocabulary for the discussion with your doctor.
911 @ burningman . com

[motskyroonmatick]

If you are unfortunate enough to be evacuated to Reno for treatment and find yourself without a cell phone then for heaven sakes on the taxi ride from the ER to a good hotel pick up one of those pre paid phones at a gas station or 7-11. Then text the one number you can remember to have them text you numbers of your friends and needed contacts. It will beat the hell out of the charges for using the hotel phone and help you recover a feeling of control.

[jneilvindy]

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I recently suffered from 2nd degree burns from a firework accident. My Dr. has recommended I keep the wound covered with an antibiotic cream and sterile pads. I'm not sure my wounds will heal before the burn. Although they have improved, I still have many layers of skin to regrow... I'm worried about the alkaline dust there, even if my wound is covered with a sterile pad and secured with medical tape. Anybody have any experience with how to keep wounds clean? My Dr has also recommended that I not get my burn wet... Not sure what to do because I've never had open wounds on the playa before. THANKS!

http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/ ... uId=832833

I burned my arm pretty good on an outdoor heater this past winter and wow did these gel pads work great! A friend would put one over my burn and then wrap it in that stretchy sports gauze bandage stuff that sticks to itself and it held in place perfectly and the burn was fully sealed by the gel pad.

No idea if you could use one depending on where your burns are but if you can I highly recommend burn gel pads!