So questions on Skin and Feet for a first timer!!!!

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:59 pm

I brought vinegar and a shallow tub. We all soaked our feet and it was really helpful. However, a guest sniffed the air while in our structure and said "You know, lemon juice works too and smells a lot better."

I'm a red head with very sensitive skin so I re-applied sunscreen and lotion all the time. It helped me feel like I was keeping some moisture in my body. And, obviously, I drank a shit load of water.

alaine · Post by **alaine** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:11 pm

I agree with bringing a multitude of lotions and potions..

I'm about as white as a sheet of paper (no I'm not kidding), and I don't burn or tan.. just get this odd sort of.. cream..

so bring on lotions, potions, SPF 1000, and eff yeah for the burts bees!

I can't wait to meet you crazies!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:55 pm

"Crazies" I like that. At least I don't believe in mythical organs like "feet."

alaine · Post by **alaine** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:57 pm

I believe in blood and split skin.. but I do not however believe in having such things plague my body

I run around barefoot EVERYWHERE no matter conditions.. my only fear is that my poor feet will actually have to be contained in shoes :(

but if they are such mythical creatures as crypto says.. then can't I pretend they're magic and not have to wory about that.. magic mythical super human feet!

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:20 pm

Some people aren't bothered by the desert conditions, it tears up others. All a matter of genetics and circumstance ... believe what you will.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:15 pm

Its a good idea to bring some Neosporin also. Just in case you get any kind of infection from the dust. I "somehow" managed to get the alkali dust in my cuticle around my thumb and it became very sore and swollen.
I wasn't able to do much with it until I got home.. it kind of sucked. I didn't have a cut or anything there.. it just worked it's way in... perhaps it was the 50 mile per hour dust storms???

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:54 pm

HalfNHalf wrote:
I used Burts Bee's. I also took a dish pan and soaked my foot in vinegar water. Left foot on odd days, right foot on even days.
I have a feeling EVERY day is gonna be an ODD day on the playa... and besides, didn't those bees sting the shit out of your feet?!?

I can't wait to meet you crazies, I'll feel so at home

Not as much as playa heel

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:41 am

Choose "array of shit " option. LOL You may be surprised what ends up being the "I'm so glad I brought that" item, and what ends up on the "shit can for next time" list. as to shoes vs. boots. I would think boots are hot, and heavy feet make tired feet... you aren't going to be encountering much rugged ground. I go with comfortable shoes that I would wear at work on concrete all day (merrell hikers on their farewell tour, although I found a good soppy full soak cleaned them) and avoided meshy high air flow material. I learned, due to the nature of the playa dust, laces that go through material loops instead of metal eyes or hooks will get sticky. impossible to tighten PIA, and you'll hear squeaks you never imagined coming from those shoelaces. I found some 2nds cycling socks at sierra trading post, light, good wicking property, but with a decent foot bottom... will buy a few more for next year. Then there's just the ridiculous option: I need to try something that just looks cool, wear it until it hurts, then go back to the good boring stuff.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:31 am

LOL< thank you!!!

I loved the first three sentences, they reminded me of a commercial!

DrPeffer · Post by **DrPeffer** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:48 pm

As for feet: I make sure mine have shoes (boots, actually) and socks on them at all times, except for when I sleep...In which case, I wear socks. Other than that, my feet are naked only for the time I wash them once a day (or once again if I feel the need to). Seeing what the playa does to hands (see below), I don't want it all over my feet, too.

As for hands: They're gonna get fucked up no matter what you do. Put on all the lotion you want, and within five minutes, your hands will be all dried out again. It's not just dust...It's salty, alkali dust. Every year, it takes me literally about three weeks for my hands to finally get rid of the rough, scaly skin and callouses. Then again, I'm a big part of our camp's construction.

Having said that though, a nice handwash followed by some lotion can be as refreshing as a long, deep gulp of water. Equally-fleeting, though. For 3 to 5 people who are inclined towards lots of lotion use, for the whole week, I'd bring 5 large containers (what are they...12 ounces each?)

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:39 pm

I only take my socks off to bathe or lotion and swap to a new pair. No problems with my feet other than a little soreness from walking much more than I do the rest of the year. Tendency to get sunburn varies so much from one person to another I can't recommend a specific SPF. Using it every morning and again in late afternoon is always a safe bet.

One tip I don't see often is gloves! I have problems with my hands getting raw out there and it took me a while to figure out it wasn't just the dust, it was all the damage from handling rebar, 2x4s, etc allowing the dust to get in. I got a pair of good form fitting work gloves ($20ish at most hardware stores) and use them during setup and teardown. It helps quite a bit. So does regular applications of lotion.

Boots do keep out more dust than running shoes but probably not enough to make a difference. Better to focus on whatever is most comfortable for being on your feet for extended periods and whatever you don't mind getting trashed.

princesspisces · Post by **princesspisces** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:55 pm

You know, I run around barefoot all of the time. I thought, Playa dust won't bother me. I wore flip flops all week. By saturday any little crease in my foot was cracking and splitting. It took 3 weeks for my feet to get better. SHOES!

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:13 pm

Barefoot on the daytime playa for 10 years...before putting on your evening outfit, soak feet/hands in vinegar/water bath, apply thick coconut/almond/whatever oil, socks and shoes. Before bed, wipe feet/hands with baby wipes, apply thick oil, bedsocks. Never had any hand/feet issues.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:29 am

Lemon juice and salt in your drinking water - in judicious quantities! - can also be helpful.

StarShineScars · Post by **StarShineScars** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:02 am

The tips about gloves are really good, but I would also recommend wearing them at night when it's cold (regardless if you're doing any set up or tear down) if you have sensitive skin. I didn't last year and between the cold and playa dust my hands were cracked and bleeding. Also spray on sunscreen works really well! It goes on fast and it doesn't feel all oily on your skin.