Blister mania

Peckham

I picked up a (rather sizeable) bister on the arch of my left foot when running yesterday morning. Not sure what caused it, but think it may have something to do with my stride changing to compensate for tight calves (as a result of XC race last weekend). Have had it covered with a Compeed plaster since coming back from the run.

Had hoped to go running this evening, but there is no chance with the discomfort from the blister. Have just taken off and replaced the Compeed plaster, and the blister looks very burstable.

What's the advice - skip the running and wait until the blister goes naturally, or attack it with a pin so I can run this evening?

Woddle

Burst that baby, I always do and then enjoy your run but only prick it with a needle or something because you don't want to pull the skin off, you want that to stay there intact.

Odysseus

I generally go with the latter, though I sliced across it rather than sticking a pin in it, and then a compeed. I slice them as personally I find if I use a pin the hole closes over and pretty soon you have fluid in there again. That should sort out the discomfort allowing you to get out tonight.

shels4ever

Odysseus wrote: »

I generally go with the latter, though I sliced across it rather than sticking a pin in it, and then a compeed. I slice them as personally I find if I use a pin the hole closes over and pretty soon you have fluid in there again. That should sort out the discomfort allowing you to get out tonight.

Yep i do the same, burst it and then cover it up. Have heard a footbath with salt water is good for it but never tired.

How is the calf by the way?

Odysseus

shels4ever wrote: »

How is the calf by the way?

Am I having difficulties with my calf?

christeb

Odysseus wrote: »

Am I having difficulties with my calf?

For your sake I hope not but the OP was!

+1 on the above, burst it, get rid of the skin and let the juicy goodness flow!

Woddle

I could be wrong here as it was something I heard from my uncle back in his running days and the reason you leave the skin is so it will get hard and you'll be less likely to get a blister there again, whereas if you slice it your talking about fresh skin. I could be wrong but I always prick with a needle but then again I don't suffer to badly from blisters except after a marathon and there normally blood blisters.

Krusty_Clown

+1 for the needle. just put it in boiling water for a minute first. Then apply antiseptic cream. I find the old skin rubs off after a day or two anyway, so don't bother to remove it, which can expose some very tender skin.

shels4ever

Odysseus wrote: »

Am I having difficulties with my calf?

ment that for Peckham sorry.

Peckham

Thanks for all the advice - looks like I'll be having some pin action later today!

Shels: Calves are fine - no serious damage, just tightness from using muscles that XC uses which road-running doesn't. Or maybe it's from not getting around to breaking in my spikes before using them for the first time!

Hard Worker

Prick the blister twice. Leave the skin where it is and cover it with a compeed. No need to change the compeed, just remove it after a few days when the blister is almost healed. Put another compeed on if you still feel a bit tender in that area.

nortal

Peckham,
Increae your intake of essential fats and plenty of omega 3,6,9 and maybe some echinachhis will speed up new skin growth.

Paddyontherun

Just for future reference when the blister heals, I always carry a small bottle of metholated spirits in my bag for the long runs, wearing new soes, orthotics etc. It does wonders. I went through a stage of getting blisters regularly but the mets does the trick.