Blisters are caused by friction against soft, well hydrated or sweaty skin, causing layers to shear apart and a pocket of fluid develop. To prevent them therefore we need to address the two issues, footwear, and skin integrity.
How do I prevent blisters?
Shoes tend to cause friction when they move around, so avoid shoes which are slip ons, and use those which have adjustable fastenings, eg laces such as trainers, or velcro straps such as walking sandals. Secure them well to your foot. Check you are wearing the correct size, we have a Brannock’s device to measure your feet at our Aylsham branch, or most shoe shops will also do this for you. If you are having severe difficulty with footwear due to unusual shaped feet or mismatched sizes, you can be referred to an orthotist, another health professional who can measure your feet and make bespoke footwear.
If you repeatedly blister in the same area, this may be something to do with how you walk. You could consider a biomechanical assessment to evaluate this. If there is one susceptible area, you can apply a special type of plaster called hydrocolloid (eg. Compeed blister plasters) before walking to protect the area.
If you are finding your skin is too moist, you can use antiperspirants before your walk to help dry your skin. Please also see our blog on sweaty feet for advice on more advanced treatment.
How can I treat a blister?
If you already have a blister, try to leave it intact, as the fluid pocket over the top is protecting the underlying flesh and preventing infection. However if your blister has already burst, you will need to treat it as a wound. If the blister is too painful to bear, you can drain it by creating two small holes with a very clean pin and pushing to release the fluid – you will then need to treat this as a wound. Wash the area well, dry, then cover with a sterile plaster. Keep this dry during the day/night, then remove each time you wash and reapply a new plaster. Continue like this until dry and healed.
My blistering is sudden, severe and painful
There are a couple of rare blistering disorders which can occur as you get older, typically on the lower leg and foot, so if your blistering is extensive, is painful or itchy, and seems unrelated to friction please see your GP urgently.
Are you concerned about a blister or want to speak to a podiatrist for more personalised advice? Contact us on 01603 737188 or through our contact form here