blisters under toes question for walkers/runners

taem

Hi,

So I walk a lot and yesterday, I was constantly bothered by this bump feeling underneath my left foot, second toe from the smallest toe. I think it is a blister so I was wondering if any other walkers/runners develop blisters under their toes and what they do to deal with the pain and how it affects their exercise.

Thank you!

Atlantique

Are you wearing cotton socks? Cotton absorbs several times its weight in water (or sweat, in this case) and then the sock moves against yoru foot. Blisters are likely to result.

If you aren't already wearing synthetic, wicking socks, try them. They will eliminate blisters for most people.

For existing blisters, it's best if you can let them heal on their own rather than popping them. Band-Aid makes a great cushioned bandage for blisters. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=band+aid+blister+bandage&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17602781194246113998&sa=X&ei=WucqTqS5KeWr0AGppfHSCg&ved=0CE0Q8wIwAg

Janelle_Teaches

I use to get a lot of blisters under my toes, ball of my feat..heals..ah! I found Band-aids blister band-aids work really well

Have you gotton a new pair of shoes ? It really helps to 'break them in' by walking around the house or going to the grocery store..small trips until your shoes are really broken in

Also...do not pop the blister..no matter how temptint it is! I had two blisters...one on each heel..and I popped one just to see if it would take longer to heal..it did!!! And the popped one hurt a lot more after I popped it!

WolffEarl

I get those and truth be told I simply "ignore" them and over time they develop into calluses. But I have used my share of bandaids too. I run everyday and now am using the fingertoe shoes and yep had some blisters from those, but just grin and bear it (does not help that I have crooked toes that bend in unusual ways:).
But like Atlantique said, synthetic, wicking socks help.

speedy70

This is more of a preventative measure than treatment, but you could use a waterbased anti-chafing lubricant. There are specialist running products such as Bodyglide which do an excellent job of preventing rubbing in running shoes. Google it for stockists

DrBorkBork

Are you wearing cotton socks? Cotton absorbs several times its weight in water (or sweat, in this case) and then the sock moves against yoru foot. Blisters are likely to result.

If you aren't already wearing synthetic, wicking socks, try them. They will eliminate blisters for most people.

For existing blisters, it's best if you can let them heal on their own rather than popping them. Band-Aid makes a great cushioned bandage for blisters. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=band+aid+blister+bandage&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17602781194246113998&sa=X&ei=WucqTqS5KeWr0AGppfHSCg&ved=0CE0Q8wIwAg

My feet rub badly in my brooks running shoes. Would these socks help with that problem?

Atlantique

Are you wearing cotton socks? Cotton absorbs several times its weight in water (or sweat, in this case) and then the sock moves against yoru foot. Blisters are likely to result.

If you aren't already wearing synthetic, wicking socks, try them. They will eliminate blisters for most people.

For existing blisters, it's best if you can let them heal on their own rather than popping them. Band-Aid makes a great cushioned bandage for blisters. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=band+aid+blister+bandage&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17602781194246113998&sa=X&ei=WucqTqS5KeWr0AGppfHSCg&ved=0CE0Q8wIwAg

My feet rub badly in my brooks running shoes. Would these socks help with that problem?

Couldn't hurt. But if your feet are rubbing the shoes, then perhaps they don't fit properly or you need to lace them differently.

taem

Thank you for the replies. They are great suggestions. I do wear cotton socks and I will see about changing them. Unfortunately, my blister did break, so I will not walk/jog today, or until it heals (I hope that is the best way).

Thanks again!

ThumperWabbt

Thank you for the replies. They are great suggestions. I do wear cotton socks and I will see about changing them. Unfortunately, my blister did break, so I will not walk/jog today, or until it heals (I hope that is the best way).

Thanks again!

Cotton socks are a walker's/runner's enemy. You definitely want wicking socks, and might find double-layer socks to work especially well.

I battled blisters last year while training for a 60 mile walk...I bought some Wrightsocks double layer socks and they work remarkable well for me. Other walkers I know are in love with Thorlos walking and running socks; you'll probably have to try a few pair to find the right ones for your feet. Thorlos bothered my feet, but I have very sensitive feet.

A lot of people use Body Glide on their feet to prevent the friction that causes blisters; if your feet sweat a lot and even wicking socks don't help, you can use antiperspirant on the soles of your feet. I used both last year, but haven't this year. Just the Wrightsocks are working for me now.

Something you can do when a blister starts to rear its ugly head while walking or jogging is to slap some Moleskin on it...if you can feel a hotspot, chances are that will become a blister if left alone, and the Moleskin will pad it.

Once you have a blister, you don't have to not walk, but you do have to change how you address it. You can use blister bandaids, or use Moleskin--but for that cut a piece with a hole in the center the size of your blister, put it on, and then cover with another piece of Moleskin. For toes you can even buy pre-cut Moleskin circles...

You can also help minimize future blisters by wiping your feet with an astringent post walk or run; this helps dry out the skin and any tiny blisters, and also helps toughen the soles of the feet (I use Witch Hazel...if I get a bigger blister, I still use it to dry the sucker out.) Another good feet-toughening agent is tea. Literally soak your feet in tea for a bit every day. The tanents in the tea help thicken the skin (but you won't wind up with super thick skin, I swear...)