Runners / Walkers / Joggers -blister help please

I haven't had a blisher in a long time but when I did get one I popped it then covered it with a bandaid.

They make anti-blister socks that are made of 2 thinner layers, so the layers rub against each other to prevent anything from rubbing on your feet. Very popular w/diabetics and infantry soldiers. We've bought this brand before...

http://www.amazon.com/WrightSock-Blister-Double-Coolmesh-Quarter/dp/B0002E4EO2

But you can also get them at most running stores. Once you get them, Band-Aid Blister Band-Aids are great. They're cushioned & designed to be left on for several days. They're kind of pricey, but as I said, designed to use one for a few days. You can see them at this link, & get them most places where Bandaids are sold...

http://www.amazon.com/Band-Aid-Adhesive-Bandages-Multi-Day-Protection/dp/B000Y8W50G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378669489&sr=8-1&keywords=blister+bandaids

If you don't have one of the blister bandaids on, then I'd recommend putting a little antibiotic ointment on the blister to help it heal faster, even before you put the bandaid on. They usually say, even though most people like to drain them, that draining them, and/or peeling off the top skin, slows healing. They say to put antibiotic ointment under the top layer, then lay it down on top of it to provide additional protection until it falls off.

Don't need to do anything fancy. I run at least 30k with initially soft weak skin. The ideal is to have twin skin socks or proper running socks. Twin skin are great but they can shred pretty quickly. Running socks are also great but tend to tear at the toes quickly. Neither will forever stop blisters but merely reduce the severity.

The simple trick, which anyone in the army will tell you, is Vaseline on your feet before you put your socks on. You'll still build callouses but without the blisters. Be liberal with it. Also found it to be great, "anywhere" where there's chafing or rubbing.

If you do get blisters and you want to still run, another trick is to drain them, remove the surface skin, and then apply zinc tape (another army trick), HOWEVER... If you're not 100% confident, then don't even try this last part or you can cause an infection.

For prevention, I apply Gold Bond friction defense around my ankles and the tops of my feet before putting on my socks. When I get one, I just put gaf tape over it, with a piece directly over the blister facing the larger piece (so it doesn't stick to the blister itself). I've also heard electrical tape works well for this method.

However, if you're getting repeat blisters in the same spot, I would check your shoe fit.

Invest in some running socks - they really make a huge difference! Also lube up any area you may be concerned about before you head out. Body glide, vaseline, baby powder are some good options. Good luck!

For now I'm a walker... and I had to go with men's cross trainer shoes due to their natural extra width in the toe area. No more blisters for me! Nike fits me the best too.

Usually moleskin or a band aid works for me. I agree with others that often it is the kind of sock you are wearing or your shoes are not fitted properly. Too tight or to loose can cause blisters so make sure they fit you properly. If you do this, you will not experience blisters. I found that certain shoes always gave me blisters to break them in. Now I have found shoes that work from the start and I never get a blister anymore.

Where do you get your blisters at? I would always get them on the bottom of my two little toes after long walks or jogs. I started wearing Injinji toe socks and haven't had a blister since!

1) Get bigger shoes
2) Get quality, wicking socks
3) Powder your feet/inside of shoes
4) If somehow you still get a blister, gently puncture it, soak it in Epsom salt water, and keep it bandaged when wearing shoes and expose it to air when possible (cleaned of course)
5) If you must run on it, try out moleskin, but know that running on it will probably make it worse

it usually ends up being your socks, assuming you have been fit for a proper pair of running shoes. Typically you need to go up 1/2 to 1 full size. Try nylon slip ons under your socks, and be sure your socks are not too thick.

1. It's beyond good shoes, you need good socks. I suggest Thorlo Experia socks. They are expensive, but worth it.

2. Well fitting shoes - go to your local running store and have them fit you for the type of gait you have. I overpronate (severely) so I need a true stability shoe.

3. BODYGLIDE! My favorite thing in the world. Before taking off on very intense and long routes, I put bodyglide all over my feet. If participating in an event that has a break for lunch (like the long distance breast cancer walks), I change my socks at lunch and re-glide my feet throughout the day to avoid blisters.

I have participated in numerous distance events and, knock on wood, have not had any issues!

1) Get bigger shoes
2) Get quality, wicking socks
3) Powder your feet/inside of shoes
4) If somehow you still get a blister, gently puncture it, soak it in Epsom salt water, and keep it bandaged when wearing shoes and expose it to air when possible (cleaned of course)
5) If you must run on it, try out moleskin, but know that running on it will probably make it worse

1-3 are great, yes.

But don't pop blisters if you can help it. Your skin acts as a naturaly bandaid, and if you pop it then it will be open for infection. I use moleskin if I get blisters now. Use it the same way as a bandaid, but you just put it over your blister. It will act as another layer of protection and adds cushion so that it won't hurt when you step or rub it. If you have applied moleskin correctly, you shouldn't feel the blister that much.

Good socks will make the world of difference. Where are your blisters? I've got blisters from walking boots before that have turned out to be my best ever walking boots after a few wears (just like my doc martens which I still bear scars on my heels from but I was determined to wear them in and they ended up being my most comfy boots ever), but I have never got blisters from trainers.

With the existing blisters, if they are in a place where they are not getting too much pressure (heels, side of foot) then best to keep them clean and cover with a plaster and leave them alone. You can buy special plasters that are supposed to speed up the healing but regular will do pretty much the same thing.

If the blister is on the bottom of you foot and you are putting pressure on when walking it might be better to pop it rather than it burst as then you can keep it clean and look after it. Sterilise a thin sewing needle in boiling water and clean the blister with antiseptic. Pierce at the top and bottom of the blister and gently press to get the fluid out. Resist the temptation to pick at the skin lol. Then clean the area again and put a plaster on.

For now I'm a walker... and I had to go with men's cross trainer shoes due to their natural extra width in the toe area. No more blisters for me! Nike fits me the best too.

Thank you for this tip! I'm struggling to find a good pair of walking shoes or cross trainers that won't give my blisters on my toes and didn't even think to go to the men's section instead. Some brands of running shoes give you extra toe space but they're few and far between.

I agree with most suggestions already given; as an RN, I suggest to avoid popping the blister; as one person said already, the fluid is there to protect & will help heal, and why risk infection? Be sure you're wearing NON-cotton socks; I love my Wright Anti-blister socks. They've really helped me. Make sure you're being fitted properly for your shoes, at a running store that does gait evaluations. I have had very good luck with using Roman Chamomile essential oil, when I do blister. You just dab it on the area, a couple of times a day, until it is fully healed. It helps to dry the blister's fluid very quickly, and then heals the open area, after the blister pops by itself, usually within 24-48 hrs. I then just cover the blister with blister band-aids, and get on my way!