We will all have a blister at least once in our lives. It could be from shoes that don’t fit properly, new shoes that just aren’t comfortable or wearing the wrong socks. Blisters are painful, and there is a lot of contradicting statements about what you should do with them.
Your feet go through so much on a daily basis. They are constantly keeping you up right and never really get a break. Your feet need to be comfortable and feel like you love them.
Here’s a look at everything about foot blisters. It’s time to treat them and make sure you prevent them as much as possible.
What Exactly Is a Blister?
Before we continue about what to do with a blister and how to avoid it, you need to know what one is. You’ll know what one looks like, but what exactly is the bump and why does the fluid form?
When there’s friction on the skin, bumps and bubbles will start to form. The outer layers of your skin will rub together and start to separate. As that happens, the layers filled with a clear fluid. Sometimes the blister can burst, damage the top layer of skin and expose the hard bottom layer.
Poorly fitting shoes and wet feet are the most common reasons for blisters to form. When the feet are wet, the dampness causes rubbing between the feet and the material. This is usually due to the socks, which don’t absorb the moisture. When it comes to poorly fitting shoes, the shoes cause friction inside and rub against certain parts of the feet.
You shouldn’t find that new shoes rub. However, some will because they’re not designed for the shape of your feet. They can also be made to a uniform style, such as boots or running shoes. You’ll need to make sure the shoes feel comfortable when you’re in the store. If they feel like they pinch anywhere, they are not the right shoes for you. We’ll get onto that in more detail later.
Many people will try to forget about their blisters. They cover them up and just try to prevent anymore rubbing. This isn’t something that you should do.
Blisters Can End Up Infected
A major issue with blisters is the broken skin. When the layers of skin pull apart, you open them up to bacteria and fungi growing. There’s the risk of infection. If the skin is broken and the fluid drained, you’re further exposing the open skin to the outside world. You increase the risk of infection even more.
You’ll know if your blister is infected. Rather than the fluid is clear and flowing, you’ll find a yellow pus. Not treating this infected blister can lead to more serious problems with your feet. It is possible for the blister to turn septic, which can lead to sepsis within the foot. This is a bacterial infection that gets into the bloodstream and can cause serious problems for your overall health.
So, what do you need to do? It’s important to care for your blister.
While you may want to cover with a band-aid now and then, you’ll want to remove that band-aid and check on the blister routinely. Make sure you wash around the area and try to keep the blister intact with the clear fluid. This fluid is there to protect your skin. It can help to prevent infection!
However, the best thing that you can do is prevent blisters from happening. Most of thetime you will be able to do that with some forward thinking and choosing the right shoes. We’ll look at how you can prevent blisters next.
Top Tips to Prevent Blisters from Forming
Honestly, the best thing to do is to prevent foot blisters. You may not be able to plan for every single situation, but you can prepare for the majority of them.
Get the best fitting shoes. Whenever you buy a new pair of shoes, try them on in the store and fasten them as you would when wearing them. Ask if you can try on both shoes. You’ll want to try taking a few steps to make sure that the shoes don’t pinch anywhere. Some of the most common areas are around your little toe or your Achilles tendon.
It doesn’t matter what type of shoes you buy. Make sure they fit well. This is especially important with shoes that you wear daily. The shoes won’t eventually start fitting to your feet. They will constantly cause a pinching problem if they don’t fit in the store!
When it comes to running shoes, get an analysis to find the perfect options. A specialist will be able to tell you how you run and where you need support. A high instep will need extra support on the instep for example. The specialist will help you find comfortable, well-fitting running shoes that will do the job when you are out on the road.
It’s also worth replacing your shoes regularly. Don’t wait for them to start falling apart. If they start to feel uncomfortable and start to rub, it’s time to switch them out for some new shoes. This applies to any shoes you’re wearing.
You’ll want to think about the style of shoe, especially when it comes to boots. Make sure there is a way for your feet to breathe to prevent moisture and sweat building up. If your feet end up extremely hot and sweaty, you’ll find blisters are more common.This can also lead to fungal infections of the feet and nails.
Think about your socks. It’s surprisingly not all about your shoes. The socks that you wear will also affect foot blisters.
Socks offer extra support for the feet. They help to prevent moisture affecting the skin and will eliminate some rubbing and friction. When it comes to trying on shoes, you’ll want to wear the socks that you would usually wear with those shoes. There are now all types of socks that you can buy, including thin stocking-material socks that cover around the heel and toes.
Your socks don’t just need to fit properly. They need to be made of a material that is designed to prevent moisture getting into your feet. Cotton is often considered one of the best materials you can buy, but not when it comes to socks! It’s the best for hypoallergenic skin and will absorb moisture, but it can soak up so much moisture that it creates friction with the skin. The shoes aren’t the problem. It’s the socks that are making your feet break out in the blisters.
Nylon socks are best when it comes to preventing blisters on the feet. They will help to prevent moisture but allow the feet to breathe well. Keeping the air moving is essential for preventing friction.
Avoid socks that have seams that dig or get in the way. If you can feel your socks pushing against your shoes, you’re at a higher risk of developing a blister.
Consider doubling up your socks. Some runners double up on their socks. This isn’t a method that works for everyone, but it may be something that works for you.
Doubling up on socks may make you think that your feet will be hotter, but the two pairs can help to prevent the moisture on your skin. You get the friction occurring between the pairs of socks rather than the socks and the feet.
You can also opt for a different material of sock on the outside layer. This could be your favorite cotton or fashion socks since you won’t have to worry as much about the moisture building.
It’s now possible to buy pairs of socks that are two in one. You only put on one pair of socks, but there are two layers of material. The material works in the way that two pairs of socks would work.
When doing this, you’ll still want to think about the type of sock you wear on the base layer. Some people do report worse blisters when doing this, due to getting the wrong type of socks or finding that the two layers just don’t create the friction that they should.
Opt for other ways to prevent friction. If the two socks don’t work, you can opt for other ways to manage the friction. You can even prevent the friction and moisture from occurring.
The first option is to tape your feet up in the areas that commonly get the blisters. This is a popularoption if you need to wear a pair of shoes that are known for causing problems on your feet. It’s an option that many runners and soldiers will use because they know eventually their shoes and socks cause a problem. They may not be able to avoid wet feet or have a choice over the type of shoes they wear. It’s better to pre-empt the chance of a blister instead of dealing with the aftermath.
When opting for tape and bandages, find material that will stay on your feet. You’re not going to prevent the moisture, and most adhesives will come away. You can end up making your feet worse with moving bandages and tape.
Another option is just to prevent the moisture. Foot powders can be popular options. You put the powders directly on the feet or on the socks, helping to absorb the moisture and remove it from your socks. When there’s no moisture, there’s no need for the rubbing.
Alternatively, there are creams that you can use. Vaseline is one of the most popular options, as it helps to prevent friction from occurring. It’s not just used on feet but also under the armpits and between the legs! It’s also common for baby’s bottoms to prevent diaper rash.
Treating and Popping Blisters. Most blisters are best just left alone and cleaned regularly. You want to avoid popping the blisters if possible. This will reduce the risk of infection since the fluid helps to prevent bacteria from growing. Blisters that are left intact will disappear on their own.
Blisters that are small can be covered with a bandage. You may need some gauze for larger blisters. You’ll want to use a porous piece of gauze to allow the blister to breathe and avoid infection. Blisters that haven’t popped will usually not need to be covered. This will depend on the location of it.
If your foot blister is preventing you from walking or keeps catching, you’ll want to consider popping it. Always wash the area and use a sterile needle or pin head to pop the blister. Never tear the skin with your nails. With tissues, gently ease the fluid out from a small hole in the blister. Some of them will have separate pockets of fluid, so you may need more than one small hole to drain all the fluid.
When there are signs of yellow liquid in the blister, consult with your doctor. This is a sign that your blister has become infected. Popping it will spread the infection and open yourself to risks of secondary infections.
Once you’ve finished draining your blister, you will need to use an ointment to help prevent infections. Keep an eye on the area to ensure it doesn’t become infected at a later date. Cover the area with gauze and medical tape. This won’t just prevent infection but will make it more comfortable to walk with the blister.
The skin that was on the upper layer of the blister will die and become hard. The skin that was in the second layer will become the new layer of skin. Continue cleaning, using the cream, and covering with a bandage until the blister has fully healed.
Some blisters will pop on their own. In fact, you may never even see the actual fluid because the friction has burst it. This isn’t a problem. Just clean out the blister and use the ointment to prevent infection. Cover it up and give the skin chance to heal!
