Wear comfortable, broken-in footwear. If you feel a hot spot, stop & take off your boots. Put your feet into cold water when you get the chance to cool them.
Wicking inner socks may help prevent blisters.
Bring Leukoplast or Elastoplast bandages, duct tape & any other blister first aid products you like, just in case.
If you do get a blister, using a sterile needle, prick the blister a few times. Drain without touching the fluid or holes. Seal with liquid Betadine and, when dry, place some tape over it. We usually use duct tape — it's inexpensive and seems to stay as well as anything else.
Insect Bites & Stings?
Mosquitoes are sometimes a problem though we saw few in June.
Ants attacked us inside the tent when we mistakenly pitched on their home. Almost invisible, these tiny insects bite hard.
The biggest problem are tiny biting flies! Be warned.
One kind — like the blackflies of North America — take a chunk of flesh leaving a spot of blood.
Worse are those we called no-see-ems. Very small, it is difficult to feel the bite. Many get infected, the welt very itchy & annoying. Welts can last for weeks or months!
Machu Picchu can be infested with these pests. Or you may see none.
Prevention is the best strategy.
Bring long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pants into your socks and shirt into pants. One of our hikers swears by his unlined nylon pants & cycling jacket. Wear gloves.
Insect repellent containing DEET may help.
