How to Treat Blisters While Backpacking

You know the sensation as you're hiking along, that feeling of a burning tenderness around the ankle, toes or heel. It gets progressively more painful if you're foolish enough to ignore it.From the moment you feel any tenderness, you've got a blister underway. And as any experienced hiker and backpacker knows, few things can spoil a hike faster than painful, blistered feet.Untreated, a blister will increase in size until it bursts, creating an even more painful flap of loose skin that may tear further.The basic rule of backpacking and hiking is to (1) prevent blisters, and (2) if you feel one coming on, stop and do something asap. Here are 6 steps you can take to both prevent and treat blisters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Moleskin
• "Second Skin"
• Blister pads
• Gauze pad
• Antibiotic ointment
• Small scissors
• Alcohol pad
• Needle

1. Carry a blister kit. All good hikers and backpackers carry a basic first aid kit with them. This should include small scissors, sterile gauze pads, alcohol pads, antibacterial ointment, band aids, a needle, and medical adhesive tape. In addition to treat and even prevent blisters, you should carry lambswool, moleskin, blister pads and "Second Skin".

2. Prevent the blister. The early warning sign of a blister is a sense of tenderness, even burning. It can occur not only on the heel or toes, but around the ankle and even around the top of the boot. Stop as soon as possible to treat it - the longer you wait, the worse it will become. Be smart - take immediate action!

3. Treat the beginning blister. Moleskin is perfect to protect and cushion a tender spot. Cut a piece larger than the blister area and stick it on. It will usually remain on, even through a shower, until you remove it. Second Skin, which is a thinner, more sheer tape-like cover also helps protect against a developing blister. Lambswool is made up of soft cotton-like threads that can be pulled off in chunks and tucked between or around chafing toes.

4. Treat the full blister. If you've waited until you've got the real thing, you will need to lance the blister, clean and cover it. To do so, first swab the area with the alcohol pad. Let it air dry. Sterilize the needle with alcohol or flame. Carefully pierce f the blister near the skin. Gently apply pressure and squeeze out fluid. Do not remove or rub off the top of the blister - this exposes raw flesh. Apply antibiotic ointment. Cover with sterile gauze or bandage. Cover all and secure with medical tape to prevent chafing.

5. To prevent blisters, avoid new boots on a long hike. New boots are usually stiff and will chafe. Break in your boots across several short hikes (1-2 hours) until they are flexible. You can accelerate this breaking in process by using boot grease to soften the leather.

6. Wear boots that fit properly. Did you know that feet keep growing? They get wider as the arches settle. So if you're trying to wear the same boot you did a few years ago, chances are they're too small. Tight boots chafe and pinch. Put on hiking socks and try on your boots. If they feel too snug when you walk, they're probably too tight. Not sure? Visit your local sporting goods store and get your foot measured and see what size you really are.

Tips & Warnings

• Take preventative action. If you know where you're going to get a blister, follow Step #5, and put on the moleskin etc. before you start your hike to prevent or minimize the chance of blisters.
• Wear proper hiking socks. The cushion they provide not only reduces the chance of blisters, it helps prevent your toes from "jamming" against the boot when you're coming down hills.
• Wear two layers of socks. Wear a thin wick-away sock which wicks or removes sweat and moisture away from your skin, and reduces chafing. Wear your heavier hiking sock over this.
• Don't wear the same pair of socks several days in a row - fresh socks have greater cushion and no sweat and help protect your feet.
• Blisters can become infected. If pus, red streaks, or redness develops, seek medical attention.

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