Blisters

Tim Robbins

Hi,
I get blister very easily all over my feet.

They are not big enough to even pop.

But I need the skin to be ok to get out running again a.s.a.p. what is the best thing to do - leave the skin open to air or put some e45 on them?

Also is there anything I can put in my skin to either soften it or harden it so I am less likely to get them.

Any tips appreciated...

Thanks.

Krusty_Clown

Try moisturizing your feet at night (you'll have to be sneaky to rob your better half's expensive moisturizer, without them noticing), and then a bit of body glide on the area prone to blistering before you go for your run. Maybe look at the shoes and socks you're using, and try something else. Are they too big? Too small?

SueWho

I used to have a terrible problem with blisters. I was always sure my runners were perfectly fine and comfortable though (they were Asics I got from the guy in Arnotts sports dept). Then I got gait analysis done in Runways and got Mizunos- no sign of blisters, not even breaking in the runners on the first run- it was like they were always mine. Got a blister after the first half marathon I ran but that was to be expected since I hadn't ever really run that kind of distance before.

Also get proper running socks that are designed to limit blisters- they can be dear but will be worth it if they work for you.

I had resigned myself to a blisterful running life thinking I just had soft feet etc and was doomed but if you keep trying new things you'll find something that works for you.

cwgatling

+1 on the socks and right shoes.

I used to duct tape my feet too when I was suffering from blisters. I'd wrap it around the foot twice. Putting it on is the easy part

TheJones

+1 on duct tape, sounds extreme but a roll of this stuff in your drop bin pouch is a God send to limit blisters. Prevention is better obviously and found good quality socks to be very good at reducing the risk, e.g. Asics Kayano, Nike elite etc.

As for soft feet, join the club! have tried everything to harden them up from running barefoot to urea based creams, none of which worked and have left my stumps an even bigger mess afterwards!

SueWho

Yeah I don't think "hardening up" your feet really works tbh. If you have soft skin on your feet- which I do- you've just got to treat it nicely with good footware and socks.

MaroonTam

Correct socks and shoes worked for me.

After a gait analysis in runways I bought (along with the new Kyanno runners) Hilly dual skin socks.
I used to suffer badly from blisters in the arch of my foot, but not a single one in the year I have been using this shoe / sock combo (replaced, not the same set for a year :rolleyes:).

One point, the dual skin socks can get very warm though....

Tim Robbins

Thanks for your comments, I just got some Vit E moisturiser cream with some Aloe Vera and I have rubbed that into both feet.

I am going to cover both feet in vaseline before going out running again.

Condo131

I know *all* about blisters. I have a symbiotic relationship with them - thankfully not as strong as it used to be!

If, like me, you suffer from callouses, you'll need to get a callous blade (available from any pharmacy with a decent chiropody/foot section) and pare any callouses you may have. I used to suffer from anything up to 4 or 5 blood blisters on each foot after a marathon. These were mainly under the callouses. I now use the callous blade, which shaves little slivers off the hard skin. For best effect, do it after a bath/shower, when the callous is softer and easier to pare.

As for blisters themselves, one major source is the seam on the inside, in the toe area, of many socks. It's worse if the socks get wet/damp. Solution 1: wear your socks inside out - seam is on the outside and less chafing. Solution 2: get seamless socks - and wear them inside out anyway!

NB!!: Do *NOT* use Vaseline on your feet, in an attempt to ward off blisters - you'll only get worse ones! You may get away with it in a short run, but probably not in a race, particularly a longer one. If you want to do anything, use talcum powder, but that's useless, if your feet get damp/wet.

If you've got blisters that are uncomfortable or not going away, you'll need to lance them with a sterile needle (I just stick a needle in some antiseptic guck or other :eek: - I know, idiot!) and pierce the blister at the edge. preferably do it at opposite sides. Make a slit at the edge. If you just make a hole, it'll seal itself. Allow the fluid to drain out. Then dab methylated spirits over the blister area. NB! *Don't* do this when sitting under alow shelf!! Afterwards you can run Sudocream on the blister, to dry it out.

*DO NOT PEEL THE SKIN OFF!!!*

You may need to cover it with a plaster and repeat until the soreness goes away. Don't allow the plaster to bunch, or it'll make the blister worse.

If the blister is causing you to run awkwardly, or maybe not run at all, you'll need to get Moleskin from the Pharmacy and cut a section big enough to cover the blister and more. The moleskin is an adhesive strip, with no padding. If you pull it off, it'll probably take the skin on the blister as well and you won't be running. Leave it on until it comes off in the shower/bath. Repeat dressing if necessary.

Leave the skin on the blister until it falls off. Meantime, it's protecting the new layer underneath.

This is my advice and experience. Use it at your own risk, but it works for me.

PS: Mods, I know I'm possibly redlining things here with 'medical' advice, however imho, blisters can be an everyday occurence for runners and I reckon the post is fair comment and comes under the heading 'wear & tear' instead.

911sc

cwgatling wrote: »

+1 on the socks and right shoes.

+1, always address the root cause.
The rest, e.g duck tape, is good as a temporary road fix.

Cheers!

MaroonTam wrote: »

Correct socks and shoes worked for me.

After a gait analysis in runways I bought (along with the new Kyanno runners) Hilly dual skin socks.
I used to suffer badly from blisters in the arch of my foot, but not a single one in the year I have been using this shoe / sock combo (replaced, not the same set for a year :rolleyes:).

One point, the dual skin socks can get very warm though....

Hi,

Oh god I've been suffering from blisters on my archs since I started running a year and a half ago, on any run over about 6 miles, they soften and begin to tear.
Before you ask I am wearing the correct socks!(ie thousand mile).

Even this morning I wrapped them in dressing and ran 8 miles, and they were starting to tear beneth the dressing!

My head is wrecked from them, at Ballycotton they bled through my shoes and didn't clear up for 3 weeks! So they're severe!
I've been fitted for shoes in a proper running shop but I never have gotten a gait analysis. I'm considering driving up to runways for one! and I'm just wondering do you think it was the gait analysis that helped you find the correct shoe?

God if this stopped I'd be so happy with it, I'm considering investing in orthetics even.


I haven't tried the duct tape either but I fear that if I was ripping that off soft skin, i cud create a blister!!

kuro2k

I use these, expensive but last forever and I haven't had a blister in years!http://www.feetlife.co.uk/Buy-Online/Gel-Boot-Bumper-by-Silipos/562
.

Cheers!

kuro2k wrote: »

I use these, expensive but last forever and I haven't had a blister in years!http://www.feetlife.co.uk/Buy-Online/Gel-Boot-Bumper-by-Silipos/562
.

Oh really? they might be the answer to my problems! Thanks so much!
Where did you get the blisters before you wore these? Worth a try anyways cos I'm not convinced its the shoe thats causing the problem!

Thanks again