No one likes getting blisters, but unfortunately we all suffer them from time to time. These painful bubbles can make walking and wearing shoes very uncomfortable, so we’d like to share some tips and advice on treating and preventing blisters so you can carry on without limping in pain.
Blisters are normally not dangerous and don’t require medical attention unless they become infected, so if you do find yourself the unfortunate recipient of one, here are the best things you can do to treat it:
- Don’t be tempted to pop it. The bubble of your blister is protecting the new skin underneath, and if you pop it you will risk infection
-In most cases if you leave it alone, the liquid in the blister will be reabsorbed and the skin will dry and peel off painlessly
- Try and avoid putting any extra pressure on your blister.
- If your blister pops, don’t peel the skin from it. Instead wash the area with soap and water and cover it with a plaster or a sterile gauze pad. This will help form a barrier to infection normally provided by your skin.
- If your blister was caused by friction, for example running, try and let your feet rest until the blisters are healed. If your blister was caused by new shoes, let your blisters heal before trying to break them in again.
- If you find that you get blisters frequently when exercising, taping is a popular strategy that a lot of runners use. Find out more about it here.
If your blister gets infected, it can be extremely painful, and you will most likely need to seek medical advice. In most cases, they will be painful, red and hot – which is when you need to seek treatment. In worst cases you may need an antibiotic, and you will need to keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn’t get any worse and develop into cellulitis or sepsis.
Prevention is better than cure as they say, so treat your feet well and avoid the pain and discomfort of blisters. First thing to do is ensure you own well-fitting shoes. If your shoes are too tight, they will cause friction when you walk and this ultimately leads to blisters. Our shoe fitting service will make sure that you always step out in the perfect size and width for your feet.
If you’re planning to wear shoes for a prolonged period of time, for example trainers for a run or a pair of boots for a hike, make sure you have broken them in properly. The worst thing you can do is wear brand new shoes for a long time without giving your feet a break. To err on the side of caution it’s also a good idea to keep a couple of plasters on your person in case of emergencies.