Blisters on toes help

Name Changed

I started long distance running about three years ago, but suffered a lot with blisters on the sole of my right foot. I got one of those gel bandage things from Boots and that did the trick.

Anyway, I came to the conclusion that I must have been wearing the wrong runners, I went to Amphibian King and got my gait analysis done. Anyway, apparently I was wearing runners that were either 1 or 1.5 sizes bigger than I should have been (they measured me at size 9, I always wore 10 or 10.5 and still do with normal runners). Anyway, I ended up buying size 9 Sauconys.

They were great starting off but then I started getting blisters on a couple of my toes. I still wear the gel bandages from Boots on the sole of my right foot. Anyway, my second toe on my right foot got a blister along the left side of it. It healed a little and since then I have had soft skin and anytime I do a long run, I either get another blister or the skin just comes off, leaving it extremely sore, especially when running. It has come to the stage where I get sore even doing a small 3 mile run. I've tried everything, vaseline, sureglide, those toe gel bandage things from boots, methylated spirits, but if anything it is getting worse. I have proper socks. On my left foot, I keep getting a corn type thing on my middle toe after running.

Now, as I am training heavily for the marathon, I'm running 6 days a week at the moment, and doing about 40 miles. Those two toes, but particularly the second toe on my right foot, are absolutely killing me.

The size 9 Sauconys do feel tight but sure they measured me so I presume they know what they are at. I'm going to buy another pair of runners today in Amphibian King as I'm due a pair, but I'm fairly sure the same thing will happen.

Does anybody know how to deal with this blister/soft skin issue on the second toe?

kennyb3

Blisters happen. Compeed is your friend.

Patrick_K

Name Changed - maybe try to become conscious of what your toes are doing and feel like while you run.
It possible that they're too active and more involved in pushing off than they should be.
If you try to keep them more relaxed and passive it might help with the blisters.

RayCun

Name Changed wrote: »

I'm going to buy another pair of runners today in Amphibian King as I'm due a pair, but I'm fairly sure the same thing will happen.

Make sure you tell them about the problem anyway. Is it your toes rubbing off each other, or off the top of the shoe?

Name Changed

RayCun wrote: »

Make sure you tell them about the problem anyway. Is it your toes rubbing off each other, or off the top of the shoe?

It's the second toe rubbing off the big toe.

Name Changed

Patrick_K wrote: »

Name Changed - maybe try to become conscious of what your toes are doing and feel like while you run.
It possible that they're too active and more involved in pushing off than they should be.
If you try to keep them more relaxed and passive it might help with the blisters.

I tried that but it doesn't make a difference to be honest. I don't think I can run any differently.

It might be that the runners are too tight. I'm going into Amphibian King today.

Name Changed

kennyb3 wrote: »

Blisters happen. Compeed is your friend.

They shouldn't happen every day or last for a year though!

As I said though, the blister has gone, and basically there is just soft skin. I run and more skin comes off. If I rest it and let it heal, as soon as I run again the same thing happens.

jeffontour

I have had problems with blisters on my toes in the past. I have very small toes that tend to curl round, similarly to how your fingers do when making a fist. My toes would blister on the fleshy underside.

My solution has been Injinji brand toe socks to reduce the friction between toes and I also find shoes with a wider toe box help greatly. Inov8 do nice body toe boxes.

Mention it in the shop this eve and see what suggestions they have, best of luck finding a solution, it's a nuisance but through trial and error you will sort it.

kennyb3

Name Changed wrote: »

They shouldn't happen every day or last for a year though!

As I said though, the blister has gone, and basically there is just soft skin. I run and more skin comes off. If I rest it and let it heal, as soon as I run again the same thing happens.

I get the same on one toe from the way i run (very boe legged), i wrap the toe in compeed for a week till it falls off then do the same. Its that or put some tape over the toes for me.

Never missed a run or felt sore with compeed.