Blisters are a unifying factor; every runner has felt the pain and frustration that comes with having a blister. While blisters may be a minor problem, they can become a serious issue if they aren't treated properly. Blisters can become infected or alter a runner's gait and cause a more severe injury. With the proper treatment, though, blisters can be nothing more than a bump in the road for a runner.
Prevention
The best way to deal with blisters is to stop them before they start. Since blisters mostly result from friction, which often comes from excess moisture, one of the keys to stopping blisters is keeping feet cool and dry on a run. Wearing sweat-wicking socks and shoes that breathe well will keep feet dry and blister-free. Additionally, placing athletic tape or lubricant on blister-prone areas of the feet, such as the ball of the foot or underneath the big toe, will help prevent blisters. Toe socks, which encapsulate each toe in an individual sleeve, are also effective at preventing blisters in another common area: between the toes.
Running Shoes
To reduce your risk of developing blisters on the inside of the foot while you run, make sure your foot fits snug inside the shoe. Too much or too little space increases your foot's chance to rub against the side of the shoe. Never go on extended runs with new shoes. Slowly break your shoes in by wearing them for an hour or so throughout the day; keep your runs brief until your feet feel comfortable and snug in the shoes. A short test run can also help you identify possible manufacture defects or malformations in the shoe that can irritate your foot.
When buying running shoes, shop in the middle of the day when your feet experience a natural swelling. Wear socks that you will wear during your runs to help gauge proper shoe width and size. Measure both feet and purchase shoe sizes accordingly. Try both shoes on and make sure there are no factory defects inside the wall of the shoe that interfere with the placement and comfort of your foot. Check that the shoe does not rub uncomfortably against any part of the inside of the foot.
Prevention
Use clean, dry, breathable socks when you run; make sure your socks do not have holes. Consider bringing extra pairs of socks that you can switch into immediately after your workout. Specialty socks like athletic socks or seamless socks may provide extra cushioning and protection in areas of the feet that commonly experience high friction, and may be a good investment for the avid runner. Apply moleskin on the insides of the foot where you are prone to develop blisters. Try reducing friction by applying a lubricant or talcum powder to blister-prone areas on the feet.
Padding
Smaller blisters, ones in which the fluid inside isn't visible, should generally be left alone. Since the skin over the blister acts as a protective shield, lancing it may only invite an infection or cause bleeding. While they don't need to be popped, small blisters may cause enough pain to alter a runner's stride, which may lead to injury. Applying the proper amount of padding can keep discomfort to a minimum during a run. Cut a hole the size of the blister in a piece of moleskin and tape it over the blister to keep pressure off of it.
Lancing
Large blisters, ones in which the fluid is visible, are likely to pop on their own and should be lanced. Sterilize the area and a needle with rubbing alcohol and puncture the blister at both ends. Push the fluid out, then sterilize the area with an antibacterial ointment and bandage it. Don't remove the blister's skin, as it covers the new skin and helps ward off infection. Keep an eye on the blister in the days after popping. If it swells, turns red or starts discharging yellow or green fluid, see a doctor, because it may be infected.
References:
LiveStrong.com - Treatments for Foot Blisters:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/211224-treatments-for-foot-blisters/#ixzz1qtqCQNws
LiveStrong.com - Blisters on the Inside of the Foot from Running:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/503316-blisters-on-the-inside-of-the-foot-from-running/#ixzz1qtqRg2yi
Prevention
The best way to deal with blisters is to stop them before they start. Since blisters mostly result from friction, which often comes from excess moisture, one of the keys to stopping blisters is keeping feet cool and dry on a run. Wearing sweat-wicking socks and shoes that breathe well will keep feet dry and blister-free. Additionally, placing athletic tape or lubricant on blister-prone areas of the feet, such as the ball of the foot or underneath the big toe, will help prevent blisters. Toe socks, which encapsulate each toe in an individual sleeve, are also effective at preventing blisters in another common area: between the toes.
Running Shoes
To reduce your risk of developing blisters on the inside of the foot while you run, make sure your foot fits snug inside the shoe. Too much or too little space increases your foot's chance to rub against the side of the shoe. Never go on extended runs with new shoes. Slowly break your shoes in by wearing them for an hour or so throughout the day; keep your runs brief until your feet feel comfortable and snug in the shoes. A short test run can also help you identify possible manufacture defects or malformations in the shoe that can irritate your foot.
When buying running shoes, shop in the middle of the day when your feet experience a natural swelling. Wear socks that you will wear during your runs to help gauge proper shoe width and size. Measure both feet and purchase shoe sizes accordingly. Try both shoes on and make sure there are no factory defects inside the wall of the shoe that interfere with the placement and comfort of your foot. Check that the shoe does not rub uncomfortably against any part of the inside of the foot.
Prevention
Use clean, dry, breathable socks when you run; make sure your socks do not have holes. Consider bringing extra pairs of socks that you can switch into immediately after your workout. Specialty socks like athletic socks or seamless socks may provide extra cushioning and protection in areas of the feet that commonly experience high friction, and may be a good investment for the avid runner. Apply moleskin on the insides of the foot where you are prone to develop blisters. Try reducing friction by applying a lubricant or talcum powder to blister-prone areas on the feet.
Padding
Smaller blisters, ones in which the fluid inside isn't visible, should generally be left alone. Since the skin over the blister acts as a protective shield, lancing it may only invite an infection or cause bleeding. While they don't need to be popped, small blisters may cause enough pain to alter a runner's stride, which may lead to injury. Applying the proper amount of padding can keep discomfort to a minimum during a run. Cut a hole the size of the blister in a piece of moleskin and tape it over the blister to keep pressure off of it.
Lancing
Large blisters, ones in which the fluid is visible, are likely to pop on their own and should be lanced. Sterilize the area and a needle with rubbing alcohol and puncture the blister at both ends. Push the fluid out, then sterilize the area with an antibacterial ointment and bandage it. Don't remove the blister's skin, as it covers the new skin and helps ward off infection. Keep an eye on the blister in the days after popping. If it swells, turns red or starts discharging yellow or green fluid, see a doctor, because it may be infected.
References:
LiveStrong.com - Treatments for Foot Blisters:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/211224-treatments-for-foot-blisters/#ixzz1qtqCQNws
LiveStrong.com - Blisters on the Inside of the Foot from Running:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/503316-blisters-on-the-inside-of-the-foot-from-running/#ixzz1qtqRg2yi
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