Most runners or athletes have found themselves treating blisters—especially foot blisters—more often than they’d like. Luckily, we have some great tips for blister care, treatment, and prevention. Read below!

The best solution for a blister is to prevent getting one in the first place. Why go through blister care and treatment methods when we can avoid the issue altogether? That’s why chafing and blister experts highly recommend Body Glide®, It’s the only natural, non-oily, invisible anti blister and chafing balm on the market. They stand up to sweat, humidity and water, and your skin breathes even as perspiration escapes. Try Body Glide® today and check out the rest of our tips below for ideas on how to stop blisters before they form!

Blister prevention:

  • Stay as dry as possible.  
    • Moisture, especially on your feet, puts skin at risk for developing blisters or magnifying existing “hot spots”.  Wear moisture-wicking fabrics like synthetics or wool, and even consider using a bit of spray antiperspirant on your feet.
  • Use Body Glide® Body or Foot Glide® balms before and during runs
    • Body Glide® balms create a dry, invisible, non-greasy barrier, reducing friction between your feet and shoes.
  • Check your gear. 
    • Look at what could be causing your blisters as far as gear goes:
      • Do you have new shoes? 
        • Make sure you break them in! Still having problems? This could depend on the style or size of your shoe—too small and your feet will be cramped, causing your toes to rub against your shoe and caused blisters. The opposite problem, too big of a shoe, could result in feet sliding around too much—which means added friction and potential blisters.
      • What about your socks? 
        • Cotton socks absorb sweat, meaning more moisture, and softened skin that is easily agitated and prone to blisters. Try a synthetic or wool sock instead. As for how you wear them, some other options may include double layering socks, trying out different thicknesses of socks, or being sure to change socks whenever they get wet.
  • Welcome calluses. 
    • Those new to running sports and other activities may find themselves getting more blisters and others. If you are a newbie, your skin is likely still much softer than a seasoned athlete. With some time, your feet will toughen up on their own through calluses (but make sure to moisturize these). However, tannic acid can also help aid in toughening feet right away as well.

Hopefully, these steps are enough to help you prevent blisters in the first place, but for those times when it’s too late, try some of these other tips (below) for blister treatment and care. There are many options that could depend on the type of blister, whether it is infected or not or even its location. However, many of these treatment methods can apply to any type of blister. Check these out and see what might work best for you!

Blister treatment:

  • Try some home treatments.
    •  There are various home remedies you may want to consider for a blister. Soaking them in green tea or applying aloe vera can help with inflammation (and even overall blister relief), for example. Another option is to use apple cider vinegar or castor oil to fight bacteria.
  • Let the blister breathe. 
    • Even if it is tempting to just throw a Band-Aid on and call it a day, make sure you let the blister breathe as often as possible. This means not leaving bandages on longer than you need to, let them air dry after a shower or a long day before reapplying a new bandage.
  • Let the blister heal on its own. 
    • Don’t always look at draining a blister as the first (or only) option for getting rid of one. Often, letting the blister heal on its own is what is going to work best and leave you with minimum risk of infection.
      • If you find it would be more difficult not to let the blister heal on its own (i.e., you are having trouble walking with the formed blister), then this may be a good time to consider draining the blister.
  • Base treatment on the type of blister. 
    • First, clean the blister and blister area and make sure you have a sterilized needle.
      • Gently puncture the blister in a few spots near the blister edge. Let the fluid drain (applying very gentle pressure if necessary) and do not remove the overlying skin.
      • If the roof is intact: Dress the blister, continue to monitor for tearing or infection, and avoid pressure or friction in the area.
      • If the roof is torn or it is off completely (the blister is deroofed): Do the same things as above, only after applying some type of antiseptic.
  • Watch for infection. 
    • Make sure you watch the blister for infection as it will need more treatment if it worsens. How do you know if the blister is infected? Some warning signs include pus, red streaks, worsening pain/swelling/redness, or if the blister simply does not seem to be getting better after an extended period of time. 

Unfortunately, blisters are all too common and form on the feet of even the most knowledgeable athletes. However, the right blister treatment—or even more importantly, the right prevention methods—can make all the difference in the severity of one, or in whether or not you get blisters at all. Try some of these methods if you haven’t already; your feet will thank you!

Do you have any other tips or tricks for blister prevention or blister care? Let us know in the comments!

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