2024 Blister Care

[Desk Jockey]

What is the state of the art here.

i did a 25-mile Charity hike his weekend and ended up with some nasty blisters. I pretaped my typical hotspots with some moleskin and lukotape and they were fine. The blisters I got were in other places. I could have stopped and padded those but I was feeling like shit toward the end and just pushed through.

there are some old threads and some info here and there, but I am curious what people are doing for both prevention and care these days.

I decided to pop mine (cut a slit with sterilized scissors) to drain them and have them bandaged. When they dry out a bit I will apply some new skin or liquid bandage. I will keep them clean and dry for a while and expect they will be fully walkable in a day and resolve fully in 7-10 days.

what say ye, roksliders?

 

[Wapiti151]

I am strictly a Leukotape guy, put that stuff on any traditional hot spot areas and then if a feel a new one coming on, make sure to stop and take care of it as fast as I can.

If I do get them, I try not to pop them if I can unless they pop by themselves. That fluid in there has a purpose, it is 100% sterile and will help with healing in a big way...similar to a scab on a cut. If they do pop, I just try to keep them as clean as possible and let them air dry at night. Problem after you pop them, if you do have to put socks/shoes on, it's nearly impossible to keep that area clean with bacteria growth, existing bacteria in shoes, etc.

 

[TX_Diver]

I tried some sleeves at the recommendation of the L&S guys and liked them for toes whenever something would pop up.

I also cut one flat and leukotaped it over a spot on the bottom of my foot for a few days and that was a huge help.

Ultimately I switched back to the L&S insoles and didn't need anything besides the precautionary leukotape on the back of my heel though. I still keep 2 of these in my first aid kit though.

https://www.amazon.com/Chiroplax-Finger-Protector-Silicone-Blister/dp/B06XQRQWMS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=HCP2YQL1O0Q0&keywords=chiroplax+toe+cap&qid=1706639052&sprefix=chiroplax+toe+cap%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[dtrkyman]

New boots.

I have put duct tape over blisters in the past, just remember to put some type of ointment over the actual blister spot so the tape doesn't stick to it.

 

[5MilesBack]

Tincture of Benzoin.......awesome stuff. When I was playing basketball six days a week years ago, blisters were a way of life. I'd cut them open, pour the tincture of benzoin in and in a day they'd be good to go for playing again. It might sting.......just a bit......LOL.

My daughter was just complaining about a blister yesterday, and I said "tincture of benzoin". And she said "No way, I still remember Michaela crying when you did that to her years ago". But she was good to go the next day.

For prevention........always leukotape on the hot spots.

 

[Gotcha_]

I am strictly a Leukotape guy, put that stuff on any traditional hot spot areas and then if a feel a new one coming on, make sure to stop and take care of it as fast as I can.

If I do get them, I try not to pop them if I can unless they pop by themselves. That fluid in there has a purpose, it is 100% sterile and will help with healing in a big way...similar to a scab on a cut. If they do pop, I just try to keep them as clean as possible and let them air dry at night. Problem after you pop them, if you do have to put socks/shoes on, it's nearly impossible to keep that area clean with bacteria growth, existing bacteria in shoes, etc.

What do you mean 'take care of it'? I got hot spots, put on leuko tape, and had a tear before I was at the top. Creek crossing probably was the cuplrit, skin got wet and didnt dry feet before I put back on the socks and boots, bringing small microfiber cloth next time to dry.

As far as a 'tincture of benzoin' where are yall getting this at? Is it all the same?

 

[EdP]

Prevention is the best solution of course. In the event that fails, I will poke a small hole at the outside edge and drain the fluid, leaving the skin flap as intact as possible. Then let it dry. Once it drys and the skin flap comes off, don't let the tender skin get too dry and split. Chapstick or an antibiotic ointment will help. Nothing new there, that's been my approach for decades.

 

[Gotcha_]

Prevention is the best solution of course. In the event that fails, I will poke a small hole at the outside edge and drain the fluid, leaving the skin flap as intact as possible. Then let it dry. Once it drys and the skin flap comes off, don't let the tender skin get too dry and split. Chapstick or an antibiotic ointment will help. Nothing new there, that's been my approach for decades.

Prevention methods like changing socks and tape? Or something else? Just went through my first bad case. Never had em this bad.


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[P Carter]

Amazon.com

 

[Desk Jockey]

As far as prevention, keeping your feet dry is important. Wet skin blisters more easily. Take your boots off at rest breaks and air dry your feet. Change socks and dry the other pair on the top of your pack. Foot powder is good too.

Tape or pad hot spots with leukotape, duct tape, gorilla tape, mole skin, etc

Once you get a blister, most will say not to pop it due to infection risk. Just pad and bandage around it. Sometimes that isn’t always practical. I have popped mine before and painted them over with benzoin, super glue, 2nd skin and skin glue before. It hurts like hell and probably slows healing but it keeps you going. I have gotten an infection 2-3x, and once had to get antibiotics to treat it back when I was in the army.

 

[Fisherhahn]

I will second tincture of benzoin, for a cure but also for prevention. Coat the bottom of your foot prior to a hike and put on a good sock. That sock will be stuck to the bottom of your foot for days and take the brunt of any movement or rubbing that could cause the blisters. Might wear out the socks a bit quicker, but no blisters since my podiatrist told me to try it.

 

[EdP]

I have never had a blister get infected. In a military situation where corrective action can't be taken for some reason, perhaps. An open wound, exposure to swamp water, etc, sure it could get infected. With timely treatment and application of a product to prevent bacterial growth, I can't see it.

Taping is the best prevention where it works, back of heel mostly. Liner socks with wool/synthetic blend on top is what I use. Years ago my outer socks were 100% wool but the new wool/synthetic blends provide more cushion. Cotton socks are a blister waiting to happen. Keeping your socks dry so your skin stays as dry as possible is crucial. Obviously there are practical limitations but if you get your socks wet they need to be changed. I got my sock tops wet once and thought it would be OK because in the boot was not wet. The water drained down the sock tops into the boot and started to cause a problem. Should have changed them right off.

It takes a blister forever to dry out on its own. That bubble just makes the rub worse and the blister larger. I have no idea how you can continue with a bister that has not been drained. The old moleskin with a hole at the blister is the same thing. It just makes the rub worse and never made sense to me.

 

[gostovp]

I will second tincture of benzoin, for a cure but also for prevention. Coat the bottom of your foot prior to a hike and put on a good sock. That sock will be stuck to the bottom of your foot for days and take the brunt of any movement or rubbing that could cause the blisters. Might wear out the socks a bit quicker, but no blisters since my podiatrist told me to try it.

where do you get Tincture of Benzoin?

 

[WanderingFarmer]

where do you get Tincture of Benzoin?

I’ve gotten it at my pharmacy in a larger bottle and single use vials on Amazon.

It’s good stuff, but I mostly use it to keep tape and bandages in place since it’s an adhesive. I use rubbing alcohol wipes to clean it off

 

[nnmarcher]

As far as prevention, keeping your feet dry is important. Wet skin blisters more easily. Take your boots off at rest breaks and air dry your feet. Change socks and dry the other pair on the top of your pack. Foot powder is good too.

Tape or pad hot spots with leukotape, duct tape, gorilla tape, mole skin, etc

Once you get a blister, most will say not to pop it due to infection risk. Just pad and bandage around it. Sometimes that isn’t always practical. I have popped mine before and painted them over with benzoin, super glue, 2nd skin and skin glue before. It hurts like hell and probably slows healing but it keeps you going. I have gotten an infection 2-3x, and once had to get antibiotics to treat it back when I was in the army.

I am also a proponent of dry socks. If I know I have to climb a pass and then descend, I will change socks at the top. My feet will get sweaty while climbing and then rub on the descent giving me blisters. I also bought some polypropylene liner socks from Fox River and they do a great job wicking sweat from your feet and keep them dry.