Blisters

m3llowship

Right I have a problem.

Today I came back from running, nothing to excessive only 9km and I have a major blister on the sole of my left foot. Now I have two pairs of shoes that I use intermittently and this has never been a problem before. So this leaves me to believe it has to be the socks, they are not specific running socks.

Ca I get some recommendations because I really dont want this to happen again!

Are there any good specific brands?

RJC

I use sole socks - small for their size though.

RunToFart

Cheapest thinnest socks possible. The 1000 mile socks are ****. I got a rake of blisters the two times i tried them. Blister proof my pie hole

osnola ibax

RunToFart wrote: »

Cheapest thinnest socks possible. The 1000 mile socks are ****. I got a rake of blisters the two times i tried them. Blister proof my pie hole

I have 5 or 6 pairs of 1000 mile socks and have found them excellent no major blister probs. In relation to your current blister, compeed plasters are supposed to clear them within 48 hrs. Ply on the vas, get a pair of twin skin socks and you'll be ready to go in no time.

RunToFart

Agree compeed excellent BUT BUT BUT let them fall off themselves no matter how manky they are. If you pull them off before the skin underneath has hardened up you could end up with a bigger more painful hole in your foot than you started.

re: 1000 mile socks: ten miles a day most days in these things did not suit my feet. for shorter periods of excercise perhaps they are ok

osnola ibax

Well runtofart, u r a far more experienced runner than I am so he's better taking your word for it, and I did a half marathon on sunday and started to feel the hot spots

hunnymonster

socks are a hugely personal thing. I can't get on with any of the double layer varities but love a think sock. For long distances I use toe socks or injinji's but Zuppylurk gets blisters from these and he quite likes the thicker socks..... unfortunately it's trail and error. If you're ever around Cork, I'm happy to loan you a couple of different types to try.

RJC

I agree with HM (not about the lending socks bit!) - I have gone through 3 or 4 different brands before settling on my personal favourite. I have used sugoi, 1000 mile and Decathlon own brand as well as others.

trotter_inc

RJC wrote: »

I use sole socks - small for their size though.

Couldn't agree more with this guy, Sole Antiblister socks are the best thing I've discovered since starting to run long distances My feet used to be destroyed from blisters before starting to wear them, since starting to use them I haven't had one new blister!

trotter_inc

RunToFart wrote: »

Cheapest thinnest socks possible.

Maybe it is a personal thing but I used to use cheap thin socks from Dunnes and Penneys, after a few uses they dry up and go hard and worn and destroy your feet. Well that's what happened to me anyway.

m3llowship

I have really thin ones, they are the ones that caused the problem!

I suppose I'll just buy a few different brands and see which ones work for me?

Thanks for all the help Guys!

trotter_inc

m3llowship wrote: »

I suppose I'll just buy a few different brands and see which ones work for me?

Some of them can be quite price so choose wisely...unless you're loaded of course Sole ones are about €18 for 2 pairs.

kennyb3

After coming back from a 9 mile run last nite I again have a blister on my right foot, one toe in from my small toe (ie my 4th toe).

This has been a repeated problem and its the only place i ever blister. I think the fact that im bow legged affects this as i land on the outside part of my foot. It feels like im blistering because im landing on this toe and this toe is rubbing off the one next to it.

the toe is not really round anymore - i.e the skin is in a kind of v or angeled shape where the blister occurs.

basically im just looking for advice on the following

1. Anybody got any ideas on how to stop this happening? i have cushioned nike socks which i like, no matter what socks i wear it seems to occur.

2. Is there any type of toe guard or such thing to protect this toe?


3. is it best to burst blisters once you get them or leave them?

4. I planned a 13 mile run tonight but the toe is very raw and sore (i burst the blister already). Any advice on how best to get out the door? cooton wool and a plaster?

any other general advice on the subject would be great

RJC

A chiropodist would solve all your problems and provide you with a range of toe tubes and advice on trimming thick skin. I have a similar problem with that toe but it hasn't blistered for 2 years now - the skin in the two rubbing toes is too thick.

kennyb3

would this be the sort of thing i need:

http://www.irishfit.eu/protectoecaps.html

anyone used one before? any good?

are they sold cheaper anywhere else as i know this site to be expensive in general

littlesurfer

As a nurse I would have said dont burst the blister as its the bodies way of healing itself ...however i currently have two massive blisters, one under each arch (on my way to get new shoes later in the week) and my friend, a chiropodist told me to go ahead and burst them...

...she reckons that when their on the foot the pressure from walking and running will cause them to spread if left and so your best to burst them with a sterile needle,..the liquid inside is also sterile and will cleanse the area itself and then just jam a plaster on it!!!

The other thing I found this week was blister stick from scholl I think. Its a stick that you rub on the areas prone to blistering and its acts as a barrier to chafing...aparantly it works really well but I havent tried it out properly yet..i was about 6 squid in boots.

Odysseus

littlesurfer wrote: »

As a nurse I would have said dont burst the blister as its the bodies way of healing itself ...however i currently have two massive blisters, one under each arch (on my way to get new shoes later in the week) and my friend, a chiropodist told me to go ahead and burst them...

...she reckons that when their on the foot the pressure from walking and running will cause them to spread if left and so your best to burst them with a sterile needle,..the liquid inside is also sterile and will cleanse the area itself and then just jam a plaster on it!!!

The other thing I found this week was blister stick from scholl I think. Its a stick that you rub on the areas prone to blistering and its acts as a barrier to chafing...aparantly it works really well but I havent tried it out properly yet..i was about 6 squid in boots.

After trying various ideas, the best one I have come across and my current method is to prick it with a needle, drain it, the inject iodine into the blister. It will make a grown man scream like a girl;), but I have to say it works very well in terms of recovery. The big problem is that most people don't have access to sterile equipment.

hunnymonster

boots sell toe guards and I think I remember them being a good bit cheaper than €16/4. An alternative is to learn how to tape your toes using something like zinc oxide tape.

If, despite this, you end up with a blister, I'm with Odysseus and drain it. For small blisters, iodine shouldn't be necessary but it's a good idea to make sure the hole doesn't re-close by either threading a piece of thread through or making the hole bigger (some people take off all the skin but I'm not a fan of that particular method). then leave it out in the open to dry for a couple of hours. keeping things clean is important.

kennyb3

thanks to you all. some great advice for all as this is one of the major problems athletes face. much appreciated.

hunnymonster whats this zinc tape your on about? whats the benefit of that? thanks in advance

hunnymonster

zinc oxide tape can be got in any pharmacy. I usually get the thickest one they have as it can be torn quite easily for smaller areas. Good description of the procedure here
http://www.fixingyourfeet.com/Taping-for-Blisters.html
in fact, lots of footcare tips on that site if you have a while to go digging.

Paddyontherun

Prevention is better than cure. I always carry a small bottle of metholated spirits in the sportsbag. If I am wearing new shoes, socks or orthotics I put the mets on the sensitive areas -Arches toes back of heals etc. Allow 2 or 3 minutes to dry then use vaseline. Always works a treat. I also use on the nipples for long runs or if its raining.