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Walkers, and Runners What do you do about blisters?

lysistrataNix
lysistrataNix Posts: 125 Member
edited January 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I've had my current shoes for a year now they are Reebok Realflex, and lately I've been putting a lot of miles (for me) on them. I'm walking/jogging 6 miles a day and I am getting blisters on the bottom of one foot. I'm trying to figure out what the problem is. I've drained the blister, rested the foot only to have the same blister come back over and over. I don't know if it will callous. What do you do? Is it time for new shoes? Different kinds of socks. I don't want to stop my exercises over a blister.

Thanks for your help and advice!

Replies

  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    1. - Socks - you want something that wicks moisture, NOT 100% cotton.
    Thorlo makes goods ones.

    2. - Body Glide or the likes - if you have certain trouble spots, you can rub this all over it before the run for added lubrication.
  • lysistrataNix
    lysistrataNix Posts: 125 Member
    Thank you, ixap, I will look into getting better socks.
  • marikevr
    marikevr Posts: 389 Member
    Take your shoes to a credible running store and have them have a look at it. I found that I blister easily when my shoes are not correct. Or it could be that the shoes are correct but that it is time for a new pair.

    How many miles have you done on this particular shoe? The mileage that you can get out of the shoe might be the problem.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Your shoes are pretty old, but that shouldn't cause the blisters. It'll cause other things, if they fit right - if they don't fit right, they'll cause blisters though. Blisters are caused by friction.

    Socks. If I don't wear the right ones, I blister in certain points on my foot.
    Smartwools work for me, but they last maybe 400 miles till they get worn through.
    REI actually has some socks that work great, and have lasted over 1000 miles so far.

    I won some New Balance socks at a race this spring, but haven't tried them out yet. All the other big shoe companies make running socks, your LRS will probably carry a few different brands.
  • lysistrataNix
    lysistrataNix Posts: 125 Member
    I was going to get new shoes. my current shoes are getting holes at the top of the shoes, where my foot flexes.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    If you shoes have holes in them, throw them out. I second the advice above on finding a running store in your area if possible. They will have you run on a treadmill to observe your footstrike and cadence and then recommend shoes that are tailored for your feet.

    I'm fortunate in that the ones recommended to me 13 years ago (Brooks Beasts) are still on the market so when I need new ones I just figure out where they are cheapest and order them. The last time, this was in the same running store that fitted me.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    New shoes!
  • amez1974
    amez1974 Posts: 213 Member
    My favorite socks for running/walking are from Target. I like them better (and the price) then my Thorlos. I think they were the Champion brand, but they have extra cushioning and are very comfortable.. It also sounds like it's time for new shoes too.
  • Yukongil
    Yukongil Posts: 166 Member
    if it persists after new shoes and socks, you can always try moleskin, its a little padded self-adhesive bandage that you cut to fit over a trouble spot.

    Also, it may be different because I'm diabetic, but I was taught not to drain blisters, just ice, soak and elevate until the blister recedes (of course that is for a blood blister and I'm not sure if there is a difference between blisters)
  • runningchick70
    runningchick70 Posts: 192 Member
    Some people seem to be more prone to getting blisters while running than others. I get them pretty easily. Look for socks that say they help prevent blisters. Many of the running shoe companies sell them. Shoes can be another culprit. What works for you for a few miles can cause you blisters after another couple of miles. If there's a good running store near you, it's worth the time to be fitted. The temperature can cause you to get blisters more easily. If it's hot, you're feet swell more which can cause friction to create a blister. Sometimes just getting your feet acclimated to a new, longer distance can do it. Once you hit that mileage more frequently, you may see that it doesn't cause you to blister. And even though callouses aren't pretty, your body creates them to help pad your feet. They're not all bad. :) Good luck!
  • sarahz5
    sarahz5 Posts: 1,363 Member
    My favorite socks for running/walking are from Target. I like them better (and the price) then my Thorlos. I think they were the Champion brand, but they have extra cushioning and are very comfortable.. It also sounds like it's time for new shoes too.

    (1) Yep! These socks are fantastic. I get a blister in the same spot anytime I try to wear other athletic socks.

    (2) Moleskin. You can put it in your shoes in the places where they give you blisters. I use it for my heels. ;)

    (3) There are special band-aids for blisters. They work great and provide a cushion so you don't keep irritating the blister.
  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    For one - if you have holes in your shoes, you're far beyond the point of needing new ones.

    I agree 100% with others who say go to a real running store and get properly fitted for your shoes. They will have you get a shoe that's at least 1/2 a size bigger to accommodate for your foot moving while running/walking.

    Some of it is also just the nature of the beast - I run and I have a permanent black toe. the tip of that toe will blister/callous regardless of my socks shoes (I wear a full size bigger than normal). I just concider myself a "real runner" because of it :happy:
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    Solid antiperspirant. Awesome for feet and rub spots.
  • newcs
    newcs Posts: 717 Member
    This happened to me (same situation - one day I started getting a blister on one foot, repeatedly in the same spot). I got new shoes and better socks (I've been wearing the Underarmour ones - moisture wicking and a tiny bit of padding). Zero blisters since then...but I've only put about 25 miles on those shoes so far. I also started using Sorbothane inserts so my foot slides around less since my heel was sliding on my foot with the blister.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    I've had my current shoes for a year now they are Reebok Realflex, and lately I've been putting a lot of miles (for me) on them. I'm walking/jogging 6 miles a day and I am getting blisters on the bottom of one foot. I'm trying to figure out what the problem is. I've drained the blister, rested the foot only to have the same blister come back over and over. I don't know if it will callous. What do you do? Is it time for new shoes? Different kinds of socks. I don't want to stop my exercises over a blister.

    Thanks for your help and advice!

    you need new sneakers plus good socks. i run at least 4 miles 5 times a week and never get blisters. my sneakers are relatively new (brooks glycerin 9s) and i wear good sweat absorbing socks.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Blisters are a result of friction and are indicative of a shoe fit problem (which may have something to do with the wear & tear on your older runners, fabric stretches and allows your foot to move). Using a two layer, wicking sock can also help (I've been lucky, I run using both the "running" socks and good old regular sports socks and haven't had a problem with blisters using either)
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I was going to get new shoes. my current shoes are getting holes at the top of the shoes, where my foot flexes.

    Get fitted for shoes then. Usally if the shoes start to get holes in those areas, they aren't fitting correctly.
  • lysistrataNix
    lysistrataNix Posts: 125 Member
    I'm getting new shoes tonight and I'll be getting some socks too. Hopefully new shoes fixes the problem. The blister is now two layers deep. :-/
This discussion has been closed.

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