How to Treat Blisters on Feet

While athletes and runners enjoy the benefits of being healthy and in shape, they also have to endure the consequences of working out which includes getting blisters on their feet.Blisters take place when the feet get hot and sweaty and socks stick to the feet. When the sock and foot rub together inside of the shoe, fluid fills up a space between layers of skin to protect the area. That's how a blister forms. Blisters are common for athletes, runners, and walkers who participate in long events such as marathons, hiking or mountain climbing. After an athlete develops blisters on the feet, there are ways to treat the blisters.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soap
• Water
• Sterilized needle
• Moleskin
• Rubbing alcohol
• Band-aid
• Gauze
• Doctor

1. Leave the blister alone. Some doctors advise leaving the blister intact. The doctors say that the blister will reabsorb and heal on its own.

2. Clean the blister. If the blister has not torn and is full of liquid and you do not want to leave it alone, use soap and water to gently wash the blister to clean it. You can also clean the blister with rubbing alcohol.

3. Puncture the blister with a needle. After the blister is cleaned, use a sterilized needle to pierce the side of the blister. Let all of the fluid drain from the blister. Apply gentle pressure to the blister to drain the fluid. This will reduce pain and help prevent infection.

4. Cover the blister. If the affected skin is still intact after you drain the blister, do not remove it. Put a bit of antibiotic ointment on the blister and cover it with a band-aid or gauze. You can also cover the drained blister with moleskin. If the affected area is ruptured, then carefully cut it away and clean the underlying new skin with rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic. If possible, you should allow the new skin to harden in the open air. If not, apply moleskin and use gauze to keep the moleskin from directly contacting the tender new skin.

5. Keep your skin clean. Once the new skin has hardened a bit, you can apply rubbing alcohol to further toughen up the new skin. Keep the new skin clean and sterilize it to prevent infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Although blisters on the feet are common for athletes, there are things you can do to avoid them, decrease the pain and risk of infection. You can wear shoes that fit properly. You can keep your feet as dry as possible. You can change your socks regularly. You can also use foot powder to help keep your feet dry.
• Sometimes blisters on the feet pop on their own. These blisters can become infected which is evidenced by pus, redness, increasing pain or warm skin. Call your doctor if you have these signs of infection.

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