Blisters are commonly associated with our feet, although they can occur anywhere on the body where body parts rub together or scrape against clothing. Thankfully, blisters can be avoided by avoiding chafing. If you know you'll be doing a lot of walking, running, or other physical exercise, keep attention to your skin and take actions to prevent them from appearing.
To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
1. Make sure your feet are safe. Wear nylon or moisture-wicking socks to avoid blisters on your feet. If one pair of socks isn't enough to keep your skin protected, try two pairs. You should also make certain that your shoes are properly fitted. Shoes should be comfortable and not too tight or too loose.
2. Wear the right clothing. During physical activity, wear moisture-wicking, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid clothes made of cotton, as cotton soaks up sweat and moisture, which can lead to friction and chafing.
3. Consider soft bandages. For problem areas, such as the feet or thighs, consider using adhesive moleskin or other soft bandages. Make sure the bandages are applied securely.
4. Apply powder or petroleum jelly to problem areas. This helps reduce friction when your skin rubs together or rubs against clothing.
5. Stop your activity immediately if you experience pain or discomfort, or if your skin turns red. Otherwise, you may get a blister.
If you do get a blister, be patient and try to leave it alone. Most blisters heal on their own in one to two weeks. Don’t resume the activity that caused your blister until it’s healed.
To treat a blister, dermatologists recommend the following:
Cover the blister. Loosely cover the blister with a bandage. Bring in the sides of the bandage so that the middle of the bandage is a little raised.
Use padding. To protect blisters in pressure areas, such as the bottom of your feet, use padding. Cut the padding into a donut shape with a hole in the middle and place it around the blister. Then, cover the blister and padding with a bandage.
Avoid popping or draining a blister, as this could lead to infection. However, if your blister is large and very painful, it may be necessary to drain the blister to reduce discomfort. To do this, sterilize a small needle using rubbing alcohol. Then, use the needle to carefully pierce one edge of the blister, which will allow some of the fluid to drain.
Keep the area clean and covered. Once your blister has drained, wash the area with soap and water and apply petroleum jelly. Do not remove the “roof” of the blister, as this will protect the raw skin underneath as it heals.