Blisters Issue

doc1976

Hey ppl,

A friend of mine is having real problems with blisters when running, hiking or pretty much doing any sort of exercise.

She's telling me she's tried everything i.e clean socks, new socks, sports socks, hiking socks, moisturised feet to soften hardened skin, vaselined feet etc.


She's talking about going to base to race to get the orthotics done but is not sure about shelling out the cash.

Should she splash out or is there any other recommendations.

DOC

plodder

Wouldn't be sure about orthotics as a cure for blisters. It seems like a drastic step. I take it the arch of the foot is a common location for them then? I used to get them a lot there myself, and used compeed heal plasters a lot, for prevention and recovery (while strill running). They are excellent, but costly though, so it's not a great long term solution either.

Other people will suggest bathing your feet in certain liquids. I can't remember offhand what they are, but hopefully someone will say.

Good quality running socks, and obviously suitable shoes are critical as well. Other types of sports socks won't hack it imo.

Also try Bodyglide instead of Vaseline. It's far superior. You can get in cycling/running/triathlon shops.

thirstywork2

Most blisters happen through a build up of heat through friction.I think she has tried most of your suggestions plodder.Might be worth having a look at her arches and see if they are very flat????

Seems to be happening no matter what type of footwear she wears so no harm in having an expert look at her feet and get an opinion.

pgmcpq

There are socks which are designed to prevent blisters from Wright. They work by having two layers of fabric so the foot should not move in the inner layer. some swear by them (this is US Amazon but you get the idea) :

http://www.amazon.com/WrightSock-Anti-Blister-Double-RUNNING-Quarter/dp/B000EHZPS6

BTW, I've never used them myself but Mrs P does.

If it caused by shoes then new shoes is the only answer.

choochi

Hey Doc,

Your friend will need to try a few different things, eventually leading to her having to buy new shoe if all else fails! I agree with plodder, a podiatrist will not prescribe orthotics for blisters, when a simple sports insole or double layer sock may be sufficient. This site has a few affordable, effective solutions that may be of use to your friend:

http://www.foothealthcare.com/shop/blister_care

But as I say it may well be her shoes in which case she will need new ones depending on her foot type.

Let us know how she gets on

Patrick_K

I suffer a bit with blisters myself doc and I find these - http://www.1000mile.co.uk/1000milesocks_athletics.htm - to be very good, particularly the 'Fusion' range - it's my favourite of the 4 types I have at the moment!
They're pretty bloody expensive for socks but needs must in my case anyway ...

ThisRegard

I would definitely go the change of shoe route first rather than orthotics. I used to regularly get them on my arch until I eventually found the right shoe and haven't had them since.

plodder wrote: »

and used compeed heal plasters a lot, for prevention and recovery (while strill running). They are excellent, but costly though, so it's not a great long term solution either.

Coincidentally I was only reading up on hydrocolloid dressings last night as I currently have one on my leg and found out that these are basically what compeed are. You can get boxes of them in Boots for less than the price of a box of compeed but because they're bigger they're probably better for your foot. I could never get compeed big enough to cover my hot spots on my arch.
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/blisterplaster.html
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Pharmaceuticals-Faster-Healing-Hydrocolloid-Dressings-Pack-of-5-Assorted-_1209211/

plodder

ThisRegard wrote: »

You can get boxes of them in Boots for less than the price of a box of compeed but because they're bigger they're probably better for your foot. I could never get compeed big enough to cover my hot spots on my arch.
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/blisterplaster.html
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Pharmaceuticals-Faster-Healing-Hydrocolloid-Dressings-Pack-of-5-Assorted-_1209211/

Useful tip that. I remember occasions when I'd stick 3 or 4 big heel plasters onto my arch overlapping to make one mega plaster. It worked very well, but at 5 euros a go, I'm glad I don't suffer from them any more (not there anyway).

I agree with thirstywork2 too. Heat, moisture and friction obviously are the cause. That's one reason I never got to like the double layer socks personally. I've always preferred really thin socks, just padded in the impact areas.

One other thing I just noticed in the OP. You don't want to soften hardened skin. If anything she should go the other way and encourage the skin to become hardened. You should see the callouses on my arches now.

doc1976

Cheers Guys,

She said she's tried the 100k socks but they don't work for her.

I've passed on this link to her, cheers for the advice.

DOC

irlirishkev

Tell her to let the current blisters heal before running or whatever again.. then take the steps outlined above.

Personally I use 1000mile socks and bodyglide (anti chafe), and haven't had a blister problem since using this combination..