How to Prevent and Treat Blisters

Everyone who has ever gone for a run, hiked a trail or played a sport has probably experienced the pain and annoyance of blisters. These little fluid bubbles can form on your feet, hands, or anywhere else that skin rubs against your skin. 

While they can be irritating and painful, blisters are common and usually harmless. So read on to learn everything you need to know about how to prevent and treat blisters! In this post, we’ll discuss how to prevent and treat blisters so you can enjoy a healthy foot all day.

What Causes Blisters?

Blisters can develop for several reasons, including certain disorders. The most typical blister types include:

1. Blood blisters: When anything pinches your skin, blood blisters may form. Blood floods the area in place of the clear liquid due to the skin’s deeper layers being damaged and broken blood vessels. A blister is created when the blood gathers around a single spot. 
2. Heat blisters: These blisters can result from sunburns or burns. They might also develop when you recover from frostbite. Blistering skin is a sign of a second-degree burn.
3. Friction blisters: Friction blisters develop when a clear fluid accumulation occurs in the top layers of skin and are brought on by rubbing on the skin. Many people develop friction blisters from excessive walking in ill-fitting footwear or by forgoing socks. They can also spread to your hands when you hold objects like shovels or other equipment.

Tips to Prevent and Treat Blisters

There are many ways to keep your feet from hurting, but if you want to prevent and treat blisters, there’s something that can often help. Follow these tips and tricks for a more comfortable journey!

• Lubricate your feet before you exercise. Blisters are caused by friction. Thus, lowering friction can aid in blister prevention. On sore areas, apply petroleum jelly or other lubricants made for runners.
• Wear better shoes. When blisters develop on your foot, shoes are often to blame. Avoid wearing shoes that cause your feet to itch or cramp. The ideal footwear may make a world of difference. You can get blisters the first few times you wear new shoes. As you break in a fresh pair, go slowly and comfortably.
• Wear better socks. Pick breathable non-cotton socks to keep your feet dry. Double up on your socks if you know you’ll be engaging in activities that could cause blisters. While the other layer provides more padding, the first layer will absorb moisture.

Although more expensive, double-layer socks might prevent blisters. Change your socks halfway during a long run or trek or whenever they start to get wet. Even though good socks can be pricey, they are worthwhile if they prevent blisters from forming.

• Keep your feet dry. In addition to changing your socks frequently, you can help moisture absorption by adding cornstarch or talcum powder to your shoes and socks. Take a moment midway through your event to add extra powder if you’re traveling a long distance.
• Cover areas that are prone to blister. You should pad blister-prone regions, just as you would if a blister had already formed there. The additional layer of defense works to stop blisters from forming.
• Keep the calluses. Although they are tempted to remove or pumice down, calluses serve a protective purpose for your feet.
• Use foot powders: Foot blisters can become more painful and aggravated by friction. Purchase a foot powder from a pharmacy to lessen friction on blisters. Before putting on your shoes, pour them into socks to ease discomfort. Stop applying a powder if it irritates blisters.
• Use custom orthotics. Designed to fit inside shoes, orthotic devices are made of molded rubber, leather, or other material. Your podiatrist can make orthotic devices just for you. Blisters on the feet can be avoided and treated with orthotic equipment. Orthotic devices help lessen pain and reduce friction on blisters on your feet.

How to Treat a Blister

A natural barrier to microorganisms may be created by intact skin over a blister, reducing the likelihood of infection. Keep the blister intact if it isn’t too uncomfortable. Use moleskin or bandage to protect it.

To encircle and shield the blister, cut a piece of moleskin into the shape of a doughnut. Gauze should then be placed over the blister and moleskin.

When a blister becomes infected, seek medical attention. If you want to prevent and treat blisters, ensure you get a doctor’s appointment, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

Drain the fluid from the blister while keeping the surrounding skin undamaged to ease the pain it is causing. Here’s how:

• Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.
• Swab the blister with iodine. 
• Clean a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol. 
• Use the needle to prick the blister in several spots near the edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place.
• Apply an ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage. Stop using the ointment if a rash develops.
• Every day, check the region for infections. After a few days, remove the dead skin using tweezers and scissors that have been sanitized with rubbing alcohol. Put on a bandage and extra cream.

Invest in Custom Orthotics from NetStep™

Blisters can be a real pain, both literally and figuratively. They often slow us down when we’re training for a race or out on a long hike, and they can be extremely frustrating. But with the right prevention techniques and treatment plan, you can quickly prevent and treat blisters if you get them.

We hope this article has given you some good tips on how to prevent and treat blisters. If not, don’t worry – NetStep™ is here to help! Our team of experts can create custom orthotics that will support your feet in all the right places, preventing blisters from forming in the first place.

Our custom orthotics collection comes in a variety, depending on your personal needs. Whether it’s sports insoles, therapeutic insoles, or lifestyle orthotics, we have them! We also offer a free insole fitting diagnosis that helps you identify the point of pain and shoes you wear so we can provide you with the right insoles you need.

What are you waiting for? Contact us and get started on your journey to better foot health today!