Blisters
Blisters can seem like a small thing, but at the very least they can make your training extremely uncomfortable. At the worst they can stop you from being able to walk or run altogether. Read through the following information on how to prevent blisters and how to treat them if you get them.
Edited From Runner’s World.com
First Aid
If you have a large blister, drain it. If you don’t drain it, your blister will hurt, and it could puncture on its own, says Sheldon Laps, D.P.M., a Washington, D.C., podiatrist and foot surgeon.
To drain the blister, wash your hands, then wipe a needle with alcohol to sterilize it. Don’t put the needle in a flame, says Dr. Laps. You'll get carbon particles in your skin, he says. The carbon can further irritate the wound.
Once you've punctured the blister, carefully drain the liquid by pushing gently with your fingers near the hole. Then cover the blister with a tight bandage to keep bacteria from getting in.
You can take the bandage off periodically and soak your foot in Epsom salts (follow package directions) to draw out the fluid. After soaking, put on a fresh bandage. It’s a good idea to keep a bandage on until the skin tightens up again, Dr. Laps says.
If you've got a small blister, leave it intact. The skin acts as a protective covering over a sterile environment. Furthermore, if the fluid amount is small and you try to pop it, you could cause additional problems by making it bleed. Leave small blood blisters intact, also. Otherwise, you risk getting bacteria into your bloodstream.
For small blisters, cut a hole the size of the blister in the middle of a piece of moleskin, then place it over the blister and cover it with gauze. The blister will dry out and heal on its own.
A blister under a nail is best treated by a professional. If it’s under the base of the toenail, we take an electric file and drill a hole, Dr. Laps explains, adding, You never want to deliberately remove the toenail.
To drain the blister, wash your hands, then wipe a needle with alcohol to sterilize it. Don’t put the needle in a flame, says Dr. Laps. You'll get carbon particles in your skin, he says. The carbon can further irritate the wound.
Once you've punctured the blister, carefully drain the liquid by pushing gently with your fingers near the hole. Then cover the blister with a tight bandage to keep bacteria from getting in.
You can take the bandage off periodically and soak your foot in Epsom salts (follow package directions) to draw out the fluid. After soaking, put on a fresh bandage. It’s a good idea to keep a bandage on until the skin tightens up again, Dr. Laps says.
If you've got a small blister, leave it intact. The skin acts as a protective covering over a sterile environment. Furthermore, if the fluid amount is small and you try to pop it, you could cause additional problems by making it bleed. Leave small blood blisters intact, also. Otherwise, you risk getting bacteria into your bloodstream.
For small blisters, cut a hole the size of the blister in the middle of a piece of moleskin, then place it over the blister and cover it with gauze. The blister will dry out and heal on its own.
A blister under a nail is best treated by a professional. If it’s under the base of the toenail, we take an electric file and drill a hole, Dr. Laps explains, adding, You never want to deliberately remove the toenail.
To prevent blisters, experts recommend:
- Moisten your feet. Just like sweaty skin, dry skin is also more prone to friction. Use skin creams and lotions liberally on a daily basis to maintain proper moisture.
- Choose blister-free socks. Synthetic socks wick moisture away from the skin. Cotton may be lighter, but it retains fluid. Socks with reinforced heels and toes also help reduce friction.
- Run with slick skin. Coat your feet with Vaseline or another lubricant before you run. Or use Second Skin, a padded tape that stays on even when wet. Both methods form a protective shield between your skin and sock.
- Double up. Wear two pairs of socks so the friction occurs between the two socks, rather than between the sock and skin. If your shoe now feels too tight, go up a half-size as long as your foot doesn't slide around, making blisters a possibility.
- Wear shoes and socks that fit. Shoes that are too small will cause blisters under the toes and on the ends of the toenails. There should be a thumbs width of space between the toes and end of the toe box. Your socks should fit smoothly, with no extra fabric at the toes or heels.
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