Blisters. :(
missiontofitness
Posts: 4,059 Member
I've recently started running/walking outdoors more regularly, and have been aiming for 1-2 miles per day multiple times per week.
My feet are absolutely COVERED in blisters. I've gotten four bad ones in the past 48 hours. One of them was right on the end of my big toe near my nail, and it was very painful to even have slight pressure on it. Now I have one forming on the sole of my foot.
What's the best way to avoid these, or treat the ones I already have?
My feet are absolutely COVERED in blisters. I've gotten four bad ones in the past 48 hours. One of them was right on the end of my big toe near my nail, and it was very painful to even have slight pressure on it. Now I have one forming on the sole of my foot.
What's the best way to avoid these, or treat the ones I already have?
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Replies
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Maybe look into getting new shoes...0
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Yeah I would look into getting fitted for some proper running/jogging shoes.....0
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Maybe look into getting new shoes...
These are surprisingly pretty new. I'm wondering if they haven't been broken in well yet.
Maybe buying some thick socks could help?0 -
Get fitted for shoes at a running store. They'll measure your feet (seated and standing if they're doing it right) and check your stride and gait. Get performance socks (the wicking kind - arch support is good, too), as cotton is more abrasive, especially when wet. While waiting for the blisters to heal, cover them with moleskin.0
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good shoes AND goos socks - I love wright socks double layer - never had a blister with those
to treat your current blisters - pad them so they are not getting rubbed any more - any that have broken treat with newskin0 -
Maybe look into getting new shoes...
These are surprisingly pretty new. I'm wondering if they haven't been broken in well yet.
Maybe buying some thick socks could help?
They are the wrong shoes for your feet. Running shoes should NEVER require a breaking in period. Period. People can call me a liar, accuse me of bro-science, call me special snowflake. I don't care. No breaking-in required. I have been through 41 pairs of running shoes in the last 11 years with no blisters.
Get to a running specialty store and get fitted. Be prepared for some sticker shock.
http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoe-advisor0 -
soak your feet in epsome salt and super hot water, and then put second skin or mole skin on them before you go walking again. I also like to wear 2 pairs of white socks to get extra cushion. Your feet will eventually callus, but until then you need to take care of them. DON'T POP THE BLISTERS!0
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No need to break the bank on this lol
Like everyone else has said...shoes and socks are the culprit. If they do not fit snug they will rub with each step and give you blisters. Make sure your socks are cotton and absorb sweat.
I don't think you need to go spend a butt ton of money at a specialty store for running shoes unless you have that kind of cash to burn then yes, do that. But you can get some good running shoes without spending a fortune. A good brand is Saucony Running shoes.
They range from around $50.00 to $ 100.00, sometimes a bit more. I got my daughter who does cross country a pair at on sale for $60 bucks and she loves them. She wears light cotton socks that have padding in certain spots and says that she never gets blisters and the shoes are not only durable but comfy. I have a pair too , Saucony stratos and have lasted me forever!!
Anyway, heal those blisters before going running again and make sure to get those shoes ! When buying make sure they do not slip around on heels , sides or hit the toes..they should feel one with your foot. Also not too snug , when your feet heat up from running they will swell slightly and you need room for that and a bit of ventilation.
Hope this helped! Good luck!0 -
on top of what everyone else said, look into moleskin for those blisters in the meantime. its like a leathery material that you put over the blister and protects it while you do whatever0
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Good shoes & good socks should do the trick. Try drying out those blisters and rocking some moleskin in the meantime. I'm a rower so blister care is something of an art - form for me (google "rower hands" if you want to know why). It can be quite painful but they will heal, especially if you leave them uncouvered and let them dry out over night.0
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You've already been told about the shoes, so I'll just add "I hope they heal quickly", and don't let it sideline you too long.
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Definitely good socks AND good shoes!! I spent about over $120 for my New Balance running shoes. I didn't have to break them in. Also, I do a lot of walking at Disneyland and it helps me if I put vaseline on my feet too.0
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They are the wrong shoes for your feet. Running shoes should NEVER require a breaking in period. Period. People can call me a liar, accuse me of bro-science, call me special snowflake. I don't care. No breaking-in required.
The above poster is correct. I have always, without fail, gotten blisters on my feet with new shoes - except for the pair I have now, and I bought those at a specialty running shop. No blisters - ever.
Get professionally fitted. Prepare to pay the equivalent of your first-born. And then enjoy the hell out of them, because you will.0 -
No need to break the bank on this lol
Like everyone else has said...shoes and socks are the culprit. If they do not fit snug they will rub with each step and give you blisters. Make sure your socks are cotton and absorb sweat.
I don't think you need to go spend a butt ton of money at a specialty store for running shoes unless you have that kind of cash to burn then yes, do that. But you can get some good running shoes without spending a fortune. A good brand is Saucony Running shoes.
They range from around $50.00 to $ 100.00, sometimes a bit more. I got my daughter who does cross country a pair at on sale for $60 bucks and she loves them. She wears light cotton socks that have padding in certain spots and says that she never gets blisters and the shoes are not only durable but comfy. I have a pair too , Saucony stratos and have lasted me forever!!
Anyway, heal those blisters before going running again and make sure to get those shoes ! When buying make sure they do not slip around on heels , sides or hit the toes..they should feel one with your foot. Also not too snug , when your feet heat up from running they will swell slightly and you need room for that and a bit of ventilation.
Hope this helped! Good luck!
That's not too shabby actually...
I was afraid this was gonna go in the hundreds of dollars, based on previous posts! Unfortunately I'm a grad student, so books/food/paying for school takes priority over breaking the bank in running shoes, lol.
Thank you so much for your help and advice! I'll definitely look into that brand.0 -
IMHO, good socks are more important to preventing blisters than good shoes. Make sure you get some that are made for activity so that they wick moisture away. Thorlos makes some really good lightweight ones but I am partial to SmartWool or several types that Wigwam makes. No need to break the bank, just head over to any sporting goods store like ****'s or Gander Mountain or discount places like Fleet Farm and Tractor Supply.
Most important: STAY AWAY FROM 100% COTTON !0 -
Also adding to the not needing to break in shoes. They told me at the running store that the right shoe should almost feel like a slipper - you will not need to break it in. And really - with the huge selection available, why not try on a bunch to find the best one for you, right?
Socks also make a difference. It's not about the price, either - it's about the right sock for you. Most runner avoid cotton socks, because of blisters. I can't run in them, even though I wear ONLY cotton socks at all other times. I also can't run in bamboo socks - those gave me the worst blisters. I had to go to a 'twin skin' sock, which has two thin layers, and that has solved all my friction issues as far as socks go.0 -
On my last round of purchasing new runners I made the mistake of wearing socks that didn't breath well and after my first run in them I found myself with 2 big blisters. I made sure I had better socks after that and though it sounds a little crazy I used duct tape over the 2 blisters (band aid in between) until they healed otherwise I would have had to wait it out and not run!0
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No need to break the bank on this lol
I don't think you need to go spend a butt ton of money at a specialty store for running shoes unless you have that kind of cash to burn then yes, do that. But you can get some good running shoes without spending a fortune. A good brand is Saucony Running shoes.
They range from around $50.00 to $ 100.00, sometimes a bit more. I got my daughter who does cross country a pair at on sale for $60 bucks and she loves them. She wears light cotton socks that have padding in certain spots and says that she never gets blisters and the shoes are not only durable but comfy. I have a pair too , Saucony stratos and have lasted me forever!!
There is a bit more to it than just offering up a brand name.
Are you a pronator, neutral or something else?
Low arch or high arch?
Where does your heel strike?
Do you require a wider toebox?
Do you require stability, cushioning, etc.
These questions are not just for marathoners. I started running with off the rack shoes and never got past two miles. It was only after I went to a specialty store, had my gait analyzed and got the correct shoes that my mileage jumped dramatically. In the following weeks I was up to six miles with no blisters, pain or misery.
If you are lucky you may have a pretty normal foot and not have to pay a great deal. However, if you don't know about what goes into buying the running shoe you will have to deal with department store salespeople more interested in steering you into a $145 pair of Brooks when an $70 pair of Asics will do. For the most part, specialty running stores want you to come back so they will take some time to help you understand your needs and help you with them.
Ok. I will put my soapbox away now.0 -
Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...0
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Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...
Definitely never heard of those brands; but I'll look into it!
I had no idea cotton was bad to run with.0 -
soak your feet in epsome salt and super hot water, and then put second skin or mole skin on them before you go walking again. I also like to wear 2 pairs of white socks to get extra cushion. Your feet will eventually callus, but until then you need to take care of them. DON'T POP THE BLISTERS!
I did drain the one (gross I know!) that was right on my big toe. I was extra careful, because I know you're not supposed to do that; I could feel it throbbing + it was in the worst place for a blister to form. Luckily it's 20x better today! The other ones unfortunately decided to pop on their own, but they're also healing nicely.
I'll definitely go invest in some Epsom salt...I feel like I'm gonna need it in the coming weeks!0 -
Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...
Definitely never heard of those brands; but I'll look into it!
I had no idea cotton was bad to run with.
Cotton is bad any time your feet are likely to sweat. I just soaks up the moisture and holds it against your skin. Any friction will cause blisters.0 -
Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...
Definitely never heard of those brands; but I'll look into it!
I had no idea cotton was bad to run with.
Cotton is bad any time your feet are likely to sweat. I just soaks up the moisture and holds it against your skin. Any friction will cause blisters.
I just bought a couple pairs (just to have some). They said that they're breathable cotton socks, and the woman on the package is running, haha. Is breathable cotton ok for running?0 -
i slather aquaphor all over my feet to prevent blisters0
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soak your feet in epsome salt and super hot water, and then put second skin or mole skin on them before you go walking again. I also like to wear 2 pairs of white socks to get extra cushion. Your feet will eventually callus, but until then you need to take care of them. DON'T POP THE BLISTERS!
I did drain the one (gross I know!) that was right on my big toe. I was extra careful, because I know you're not supposed to do that; I could feel it throbbing + it was in the worst place for a blister to form. Luckily it's 20x better today! The other ones unfortunately decided to pop on their own, but they're also healing nicely.
I'll definitely go invest in some Epsom salt...I feel like I'm gonna need it in the coming weeks!
Popping your blisters is fine. Just don't remove the skin. Let the collapsed skin stay in place, put a little bacitracin or other antibiotic ointment on top and a bandage and you are good to go.
Blisters pop on their own all the time. In fact, I've never not had a blister pop or pop it myself.0 -
Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...
Definitely never heard of those brands; but I'll look into it!
I had no idea cotton was bad to run with.
Cotton is bad any time your feet are likely to sweat. I just soaks up the moisture and holds it against your skin. Any friction will cause blisters.
I just bought a couple pairs (just to have some). They said that they're breathable cotton socks, and the woman on the package is running, haha. Is breathable cotton ok for running?
Not the greatest. You really should invest in some good running socks. I go with thin fabric that wicks moisture (clima-cool is one that Adidas makes that I wear, but Nike, NB, and several other manufacturers make them).0 -
Feetures socks are the best invention ever. Seriously.
I stopped getting blisters as soon as I switched to those socks, and I won't do a long run or race in anything else.0 -
Wrightsox, double layered.
Amazon has them. A bit pricey, but they last and cured my blister problem.0 -
It might not be the case since you are just at 1-2 miles now, but possibly.... I feel like I have tracked my godawful blisters down to a break down in my form as I fatigue. It's only my left foot and they don't typically start these days until about mile 8.5. Previously I would start blistering at mile 4, then 6, then not until 7. Oddly, I didn't really have any issues moving through 5. Now, I find it doesn't matter so much which shoes or socks I wear, as long as I am under 8-ish miles I don't blister. I'll be interested to see if the more I do the longer distances if the blistering gets to the point I can finish a run before it happens.
Could be something to consider if you can't figure out a shoe or sock issue..0 -
Shoes obviously...but what KIND of sock are you running with? If they are cotton then that is a BIG culprit right there. Cotton socks + running = no no! Invest in some good quality running socks...Features, Smartwick, Balega, etc...
Definitely never heard of those brands; but I'll look into it!
I had no idea cotton was bad to run with.
Cotton is bad any time your feet are likely to sweat. I just soaks up the moisture and holds it against your skin. Any friction will cause blisters.
I just bought a couple pairs (just to have some). They said that they're breathable cotton socks, and the woman on the package is running, haha. Is breathable cotton ok for running?
All cotton is breathable but it doesn't wick. I wouldn't trust them for running or longer distance walking. Keep them for trips to the grocery store.
The fibers you should be looking for are Coolmax, Ultimax, Smartwool. My absolute favorites are Wigwam Ironman in their quarter crew size. Only $10 a pair at Campmor and they wear for years.0
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