Blister In The Sun

Tag : shoes-in sock
Blister In The Sun
July 20, 2008 3:08 PM by Melanie M. Valerio | 100 Views, COMMENTS


Lube Job
Blisters are the result of too much friction. To avoid some of thatfriction and prevent a blister, liberally rub Vaseline over yourfeet for less friction-and therefore less chance of developing afriction blister.
Quit cotton.

Many cotton sweat socks don't offer the best protection againstblisters. In fact, sports podiatrists say that manmade acrylicsocks are best for preventing blisters. Cotton fiber becomesabrasive with repeated use, and it also compresses and loses itsshape and 'cushion' when wet. The shape of the sock is critical when it's inside a shoe. So a sock that loses its shape is just what yourblister-vulnerable foot doesn't need.

Silk
Wearing a silk undersock can help prevent foot blisters and relievethe pain once you get them, since silk is less damaging to the skinthan other fabrics.

Powder
Rubbing baby powder on your feet before any blister-promotingactivity is another good preventer. Some say you should makepowdering part of your daily routine. Like petroleum jelly, it helps reduce friction and eases glide.

New Shoes
Wear them for only 30 minutes at a time. It's all right to wear theshoes several times a day, but only for 30 minutes--at least forthe first few days. So carry an extra pair of broken-in shoes inyour handbag and trade off a few times during the day.

Moleskin
Moleskin is the best preventive measure for the blister-prone, andit's also great for relieving pain once the blister forms. Cut themoleskin into a doughnut shape and place it over the blister (orthe area where you're prone to get it. The surrounding moleskinwill absorb the shock and friction that cause or aggravateblisters.

Heel Lift
Blisters on the back of your foot? Add a heel lift to alleviate therubbing.

Insole
To avoid blisters on the heel and other parts of the foot, manydoctors recommend a Spenco insole . These store-bought inserts cut down on friction to prevent newblisters and help ease the pain of existing ones. Remember if you perspire too much, you're more prone to gettingblisters.

Epsom Salt
If you perspire a great deal you're more prone to getting blisters. Soaking feet in Epsom salts can help dry excessive sweating. Dissolve Epsom salts in warmwater and soak your feet for about five minutes at the end of theday. Then dry, thoroughly.

Gel
Triple antibiotic ointments can eliminate bacterial contaminationafter two applications. After applying the antibiotic, you shouldcover the area with a gauze pad--but change that covering each timeit gets wet to avoid contamination.

And finally...the right way to pop blisters.
Some doctors say that leaving a blister alone will reduce the riskof secondary infection. Others say that if a blister hurts, youshould prick it with a pin to drain the water or blood that buildsup under the "roof" of the skin. Draining it, they say, will easethe pain. Since blisters usually hurt, most folks vote to pop--but often doit wrong and risk infection. So here's the proper procedure. Neverremove the top layer of skin. After pushing the fluid to one end ofthe "bubble," prick the blister on the side containing the fluid,using a pin that's been sterilized with alcohol, a lighted match orboiling water. The pin should prick the blister horizontally, justabove the skin.