How to prevent and treat blisters

June 14, 2015 1:04 PM

Blisters can pack a pretty mean punch when it comes to running and other athletic activities but there is hope.

Runners blisters

Blisters can pack a pretty mean punch when it comes to running and other athletic activities but there is hope.

These little bumps or bubbles result from friction against the foot, causing the outer layers of skin to rub together, separate, and fill with fluid.

The culprit can be anything from new or poorly fitting running shoes to wet feet caused by non-absorbent socks.

Blisters shouldn’t be ignored, covered with a band-aid, and forgotten for another day, because they can get infected and cause a whole new world of trouble.

Aside from causing localized pain and burning sensations, when blisters are infected they fill with pus and if the blister ruptures, there runs a risk for secondary impetigo, a contagious bacterial infection, or cellulitis, a more serious skin infection.

Continuing to let infected blisters go untreated could also result in Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissue.

Individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to foot blisters, as a result of diabetic neuropathy, and should handle treatment with caution in order to prevent infection.

Luckily, there’s more than one way to stop blisters before they ruin a run.

From moleskin and Vaseline to socks and shoes, here's a list of key ways to spare your feet and keep you running for the long haul.

Your best bet is to prevent blisters before they start and here’s how.

If a blister isn't too painful and isn't preventing you from walking, then it's best to keep it intact to help prevent risk of infection, besides, blisters are pretty good at healing themselves when left alone. Cover small blisters with an adhesive bandage, and large ones with a porous, plastic-coated gauze pad, so the blister can breathe.

If popping looks to be the best course of action, always check for potential signs of infection before touching a blister.

See a doctor if the blister is secreting yellow or green pus, if the area becomes increasingly swollen or inflamed, or if you have any other reason to think it could be infected.

If there are no signs of infection, follow these steps to pop blisters safely on your own:

While there may be more than one way to get a blister, there are at least as many ways to prevent and treat them.

Don’t get discouraged if one pops up early on in your running career, just assess the issue, find a preventative method that works for you, and get back on the roads when the skin is healed and free from pain.