Prevention and Treatment of Foot Blisters

Keeping Feet Healthy in Warmer Weather

Mar 28, 2009 Steven M. Cohen

As the weather heats up, foot blisters become more common. Here are some basic tips for dealing with foot blisters.

At one time or another all athletes suffer from blisters. Although blisters are considered a minor injury, they can definitely hamper athletic performance. When severe, blisters can force an athlete to the sidelines for a week or two. By taking some simple precautions, most blisters can be prevented. When preventive measures fail, there are a few simple steps that the athlete can take to optimize healing, and minimize the time spent out of action.

Definition of Blister

Blisters are collections of fluid between layers of the skin. The fluid is the body's response to skin irritation. The body attempts to buffer the affected area by adding a fluid cushion in the area. The fluid acts as a buffer, to prevent damage to the deeper, more sensitive skin layers.

Causes of Foot Blisters

• Friction – Generally blisters are caused by friction, or rubbing of two surfaces. In the case of blisters, the skin rubs against a rough surface, such as a sock or the seam of a shoe. The rubbing creates heat, which leads to blister formation. Other sources of friction include sand or pebbles in the shoe.
• Burns – Although far less common than blisters from friction, a skin burn can cause a blister. Blistering burns are classified as 'second degree' burns, and should be evaluated by a physician.
• Moisture – While moisture, per se, will not cause blistering of the feet, wet shoes and socks soften the skin, leaving it more vulnerable to blistering.

First Aid for Foot Blisters

For blisters near the skin surface – superficial blisters – drainage of the fluid from the blister is the best course of action. Before draining, the skin should be sterilized with rubbing alcohol, peroxide, or betadine solution. A small puncture should be made with a sterilized needle at the base of the blister, allowing the fluid to drain out. Care should be taken to keep the overlying skin intact. This will serve as a protective barrier as the new skin underneath hardens. After draining the blister, it should be kept exposed to the air for as long as possible, to allow the new skin to harden. If footwear must be worn, cover the blister with anti-bacterial ointment and an adhesive bandage to keep it sterile and protected.

If the skin overlying the blister is torn away, and the fluid has drained spontaneously, gently cleanse the blister, apply anti-bacterial ointment, and cover with an adhesive bandage to protect the new skin.

Prevention of Foot Blisters

• Be sure that footwear fits properly. This is particularly important for athletes. If a shoe is either too loose, allowing for excess motion of the foot, or too tight, creating pressure points, blisters will occur sooner than later.
• Keep feet dry at all times. If socks become wet from excessive perspiration, consider changing them. Avoid walking or hiking through water if possible. Use waterproof hiking boots to keep feet and socks dry.
• Give feet ample rest. Over-working the feet increases heat and moisture in footwear, increasing the likelihood of developing blisters.

The copyright of the article Prevention and Treatment of Foot Blisters in Sports Medicine is owned by Steven M. Cohen. Permission to republish Prevention and Treatment of Foot Blisters in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Keeping Your Feet Blister-Free