Best treatment for tired park feet and sunburn?

[castmemberb4]

Big hats, Sunblock (not Sunscreen), Aloe Vera, Motrin, Bengay, ice-packs, New Balance brand tennis shoes switched up with BORN sandals, and arch inserts for my Plantar fasciitis.

Do your inserts work in your Born sandals?
I'm using inserts for the first time and have just started to
look for sandals.

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Hot tub for sore feet, aloe for sunburn

 

[scion5220]

WDW really is like a marathon. Walking to 'train' months in advance. Cold, hot relief. Do we recommend carb loading too? hehe.

In the past, I liked soaking my feet in warm water, but I think I will do the ice bucket trick mentioned by others on here. I am also going to pay attention to the 'recommended show' threads that pop up on the Dis often. I have sneakers and crocs, but maybe will try something else. I also like the suggestion of changing socks.

And the PP mentioned the yoga toe separators. Those do work wonders!

What's really fun for your feet is doing a race and then STILL walking around the parks for hours...THE SAME DAY!

Ice baths really are good because the cool temperature relieves the inflammation of the muscles. I actually do this for my entire lower body by sitting in the bathtub with cool (not totally icy, just a little ice) water in it to cover my legs. Makes an AMAZING difference. You really have to do it pretty soon after you stop moving though.

 

[DreamnDisney]

Sunblock and rubbing Vaseline on your feet of you are wearing socks with sneakers can help prevent blisters! Aloe is also good if it's too late for sunblock.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I second or third or fourth (I lost track) of the ice water trick. I don't even use ice, just turn the cold tap on in the bath and plunge each foot in for as about 2 minutes. Then an anti-inflamitory and elevation.

But I am going to add peppermint foot lotion to my Owner's Locker list. Sounds devine! Now I just need Johhny Depp to come round as my personal masseur!

 

[mb187143]

we hot tub in the morning before we go, and then again at night when we get back. we do a swim break in the afternoon as well, and that really helps the tired legs. I take band-aids and put them on the back of my ankles, where i usually get blisters if i'm wearing sneakers, before we even head out, and i havent had a blister in years.

sunscreen to prevent the burn, aloe to relieve the burn, witch hazel if the aloe isn't working.

and when all else fails, a nice lapu lapu does the trick

 

[cmhguy]

I'm blond with very fair skin - I burn easily. I find that if I go to the tanning beds before hand, it GREATLY decreases my odds of getting burned! I only tan my arms, legs and face - not entire body - just what would be exposed. I usually start with only 2-3 minutes at a time and work my way up to 8-10 minutes max - every other day or so for a month. I have found this is the best method for me - I've never burned doing this. I still use 60-90 spf on my face and 40-70 on arms and legs (I would burn using this if I didn't tan first).

 

[MomsOf2boys]

and when all else fails, a nice lapu lapu does the trick

My favorite one of all!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

There are a few things we do for the achy/tired/hurting feet and legs after the end of a long park day...

1) Spend as much time with your feet/legs elevated as possible! We usually (in the hot weather) try to take a midday resort break. Swimming in the pool feels great, and taking an afternoon nap in the room with your feet up helps too.

2) The right shoes. Personally, I do not know how people can do WDW in flip flops or Crocs. I wear well broken in running shoes that are very supportive. I wore flip flops (comfy Teva ones) ONE night to walk around World Showcase and my feet hurt SO much more.

3) The biggest thing... exercise before you leave home. Really, if you start walking a few miles every day a few months before your trip, it makes all the walking at WDW SO much easier!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Tired Legs/Feet: I preferably have reflexology done before I go, or on the first day or two of our trip at Saratoga Springs. While we're there, a dip in the hot tub/jacuzzi realllly helps!

We also like the sunburn relief gel from H20 that they sell at the parks, or that you get with Club Level. I have refilled the small CL bottle to take with me to the park!!

 

[elaine amj]

I typically just do elevation - it's the easiest way to deal with tired legs. If I'm sitting somewhere, I try to elevate my legs on the chair next to me or whatever. In the room, pillows under the calves and ankles works wonders.

I like the idea of an ice footbath - but doubt I'll actually go to the hassle of doing it while there. Good tip if legs are super sore though!

 

[elaine amj]

Just wanted to report that the ice bath tip worked wonders for me! I was travelling recently and walked for several hours. These last couple of weeks, I've been having major problems with extremely sweaty feet and my sneakers - which normally are very comfortable - rubbed my feet practically raw. I was in a lot of pain. And I had a lot more days of long walks in front of me.

I applied roll on anti-perspirant constantly and that wasn't even really helping. Finally I soaked my feet in an ice bath and just a few minutes soak pretty much did the trick. I was still sore - but my feet were no longer raw and I could walk.

 

[bjakmom]

We used to suffer many bad burns living in FLA in the early 70s - before sunscreen was as wide-spread and effective as it is now (and we were young - spent entire days on the beach and, God forbid, did not use an umbrella as a teen).
I swear by bathing in tea bags for a bad burn. We just put 1/2 doz tea bags in a very hot tub and let them steep while the water cools. Then soak, soak, soak - use an old wash cloth to soak the face. Rinse off - the tea will stain your towels if you don't.

 

[cobright]

For the feet... and this may sound odd but bear with me...

Hemorrhoid cream. They sell Preparation H in the resort gift shops / general store. It is a topical vascular constrictor and the relieve on tired aching feet is almost instant.

Sinus decongestant medicine labeled PE (it's the pseudophed that CAN be sold over the counter) has the same active ingredient as Preperation H and taking a good heavy dose of that will help prevent sore feet as well.

 

[DanceDrawDream]

I hate sneakers and so of course started the trip by wearing sandals around the parks...bad idea because I got some horrible blisters on the ball of my foot. I tried soaking my feet in the bathtub right before I went to bed and that usually helped... Also, the "first aid" area in one of the parks gave me a handful of large padded bandaids to put on the bottom of my foot, in my shoe, and that helped BIG TIME while walking around the parks.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

One night my feet were aching so bad I couldn't sleep.....not blisters, just a deep ache. I had brought some of those adhesive heat wraps for my back and I had this bright idea of wrapping them around my feet. It looked really funny, but I stuck the heat wraps around my feet and slept like a baby. They didn't hurt at all the next day.

 

[SRUAlmn]

For sunburn....black tea. Sounds crazy, but my sister and I burned our shoulders last summer and were staying at the Dolphin. We Googled and that's what it said. The Dolphin gives you tea bags in each room, so we tried it. We soaked washcloths (our own dark ones that we had with us) in the lukewarm tea and then draped them over our shoulders. It took the sting out and felt amazing! (Just make sure the tea is room temp or cool before doing it or you'll make your burning feeling worse )

 

[Jennasis]

I know I started this thread (and it looks like it got a bump from someone shilling a product...) BUT I did find the best treatment for my achy vacation feet.

A good foot rub courtesy of DH each night! Worked like a charm!

 

[ZoZo]

I swear by bathing in tea bags for a bad burn. We just put 1/2 doz tea bags in a very hot tub and let them steep while the water cools. Then soak, soak, soak - use an old wash cloth to soak the face. Rinse off - the tea will stain your towels if you don't.

Yes, tea bags for a bad burn. My sister had a bad burn as a teen, and this is what the doctor recommended. Something about the tannins in the tea. Also, stay hydrated, and use aloe gel.

OP, as you say, prevention is your best bet. I discovered Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Spray on one of my WDW trips. That stuff goes on like cement - had to scrub and scrub with a soapy washcloth to get it off. Great for water park days - just get the highest SPF you can buy.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The title says it all. Of course PREVENTION is the best treatment, and I think I've got my bases covered there, but what about when your tried and true methods fail and now you've got a wicked sunburn, blistered or aching feet?

Lay it on us...your best fix-it-so-it-doesn't-ruin-your-trip treatments!

I don't sunburn, but DH does. I usually have a really good success rate with the following. Use as needed,

1) Tylenol for discomfort
2) prop your feet up, whenever possible
3) soak in cool water with baking soda
4) use aloe..LOTS of it FREQUENTLY
5) still use sunscreen, so it doesn't worsen
6) I use a sterilized needle for blisters, then apply a medicated band aid.
7) don't scratch, it makes you peel. Take a Benadryl, if necessary
8) Apply cool clothes or even yogurt to draw out the heat


Good luck!