Blisters. A pain in the foot!

Blisters. A pain in the foot! Well what did you expect me to say?Most walkers and runners will at one time or another get Blisters. I guess that i am fortunate in as much that i have only on a couple of occasions had the start of one coming in days gone by but as i had no opportunity to go walking the following days they soon disappeared. Lucky me

 They are most common on the hands and feet, as these extremities are susceptible while walking, running, or performing repetitive motions. They form more easily on moist skin than on dry or soaked skin, and are more common in warm conditions."So, having learned that we need to be especially aware of the socks that we wear i have for a number of years used with not great, but terrific results,

'Thorlos' socks  and i can't recommend them highly enoughI first discovered them when i started to train for the London Marathon and bought a pair and i was immediately impressed with the soft cushioning toweling interior.A month later when i was in Florida i went to a sports outlet and bought a pair that were shorter than the ankle socks i already owned. being cut-offs finishing just slightly above the top of the trainer and i still use these some six years later. I don't run these days but i wear them inside my cycling shoes and i have another pair for my walking boots.

How do you treat Blisters when you unfortunately have one or some?TreatmentMost of them heal naturally and do not require medical attention. As new skin grows beneath the blister, the fluid contained within it will be slowly reabsorbed by your body and the skin on top will dry and peel off.If it isn't too painful, do everything possible to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister provides a natural barrier to bacteria and infection thus it decreases the risk of infection.This means that you should try to keep them intact and unbroken in order to avoid infection. Try not to pierce it with a needle, but allow it to break on its own once the skin underneath has healed. If the blister is in a place (such as a hand or foot) that makes it extra painful, follow these steps:1. Wash your hands and the blister with soap and water, and sterilize with rubbing alcohol.2. Sterilize a pin with rubbing alcohol.3. Make small pinpricks on the edge of the blister and drain the fluid through these.4. Cover the area with first-aid ointment and a sterile bandage.Cover smaller ones with an adhesive dressing. Larger ones should be covered with a gauze pad or dressing that you can then tape in place. If you have one in a position that is causing you pain or that makes it likely to burst (such as on the sole of your foot), its important to cover it with a soft dressing to pad and protect it. Then change the dressing daily.If it bursts, don't peel off the dead skin on top of the blister. Gently press the area to get rid of all the fluid inside, and then cover the blister and the area around it with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it healsBack to the top of the pageCheck out the fantastic 'Thorlo' socksReturn to Foot ConditionsGo to Injuries.