Numb of Toe

"Numb toe," most often the big toe, and even more often the outside of the big toe, is a pretty common complaint I hear from hikers. The cause, again most often, is an improper boot fit. Or maybe those same boots are not laced snugly enough. Either way, on the downhill leg of trails, the part where toes are smushed against the toe end of the boot, this happens: the nerves of the toe are crushed and/or the circulation gets cut off too long--and the toe gets numb and stays numb. If it happens occasionally, it's not a big deal. But if it happens all the time, and especially if the toe does have enough recovery time before the next hike, you should try to find a boot that alleviates the problem and/or try lacing up more snugly. Go for boots that are wider in the toe box and/or boots that are a bit longer than the offending footwear. If that doesn't work, custom insoles may alter the pressure on your toes enough to keep numb toe away. And if that doesn't work, a visit to a foot specialist is recommended. Persistent toe numbness may lead to permanent damage.

Adios Iodine

The European Union has banned the sale of iodine as a water disinfectant as of 25 October 2009, a decision that will affect all 27 countries that are members of the EU. Will this decision lap over into the United States? Who knows? The potential for a global impact certainly exists. The use of iodine in field water treatment has been questioned by some authorities for years, primarily due to the lack of definitive info--is it safe? or is it not safe?--and so far I have not found any reasons clarifying why the EU made their decision. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still approves use of iodine but warns the use should be limited to no more than "a few weeks." Consumption of iodinated water remains contra-indicated for pregnant women, anyone with a history of thyroid disease, and anyone with a known allergic response to iodine. You can find a few more details at www.outdoorindustry.org.

Ticked Off

Recently a disease transmitted by a tick developed into encephalitits (an inflammation of the brain) and a human being died. The case was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (http://content.nejm.org). It is not usual for an encephalitis to be the end result of a tickborne illness--the disease can, in fact, produce very few symptoms--but obviously death does sometimes occur. Ticks may also be carrying other diseases, such as babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease, that occasionally become a serious threat to life. The bottom line: it is that time of year to be wary of ticks. Most insect repellents, despite the knowledge that ticks are not insects, repel ticks. Wear light-colored clothing, allowing you to see free-ranging ticks and pick them off before they embed. After a walk outside, a careful inspection for ticks on your body is highly recommended. Remember ticks like to embed in well-hidden spots, and ticks in the nymph stage, when they are incredibly tiny, can pass germs--you will do well, therefore, to have a friend help you with the inspection. Remove all embedded ticks immediately with sharp-pointed tweezers, grasping the tick perpendicular to its long axis, and gently pulling it straight out. If an illness develops after removing an embedded tick, seek a physician's evaluation ASAP.