FOOT QUESTION!

Pop it and let the skin dry, no plasters, no creams, let it dry in the air, go barefoot - you can run with a blister if you have the right socks I have found...

Foot care people will probably scream at this, but I've been known to use a sterile needle to pop a small hole in a blister that is a couple days old and drain out the remaining fluid. I leave all the skin attached! Then I cover it with a bandage and some antibiotic ointment. Usually fixes it up for my next run.

Like I said, foot care people will likely freak out, but it works for me.

it really doesnt hurt to pop it - I've used the sterile needle to just punch a hole through the raised skin and also used clippers to clip a hole in it - the relief is almost instant since draining that fluid off relieves the pressure on the underlying skin where the nerves are. Can be a bit icky draining the fluid out but no pain - keep a square of gauze or something similar handy to catch the fluid and then cover with antiseptic cream / bandaid just to prevent a possible infection from the open part.

I also tend to pop them with a needle. I find that if I do it ASAP, and use as small a hole as possible, sometimes the skin will reattach itself, which makes the healing go much faster.

Copied from WebMD for treatment of blisters:

What Are the Treatments for Blisters?

Most blisters caused by friction or minor burns do not require a doctor's care. New skin will form underneath the affected area and the fluid is simply absorbed. Do not puncture a blister unless it is large, painful, or likely to be further irritated. The fluid-filled blister keeps the underlying skin clean, which prevents infection and promotes healing.

But if you need to pop a blister:

Use a sterilized needle or razor blade (to sterilize it, put the point or edge in a flame until it is red hot, or rinse it in alcohol).
Wash the area thoroughly, then make a small hole and gently squeeze out the clear fluid.
If the fluid is white or yellow, the blister may be infected and needs medical attention.
Do not remove the skin over a broken blister. The new skin underneath needs this protective cover.
Look for signs of infection to develop. These include pus drainage, red or warm skin surrounding the blister, or red streaks leading away from the blister.


Also: Dr. Scholl's makes cushioned mole skin. Cut a piece with a hole in the middle to fit around the blister. That way, pressure from running will be on the cushion, not the blister.