Blister In The Sun

Lube Job

Blisters are the result of too much friction. To avoid some

of that friction and prevent a blister, liberally rub Vaseline over your feet

for less friction-and therefore less chance of developing a friction blister.

Quit cotton.

Many cotton sweat socks don't offer the best protection

against blisters. In fact, sports podiatrists say that manmade acrylic socks

are best for preventing blisters. Cotton fiber becomes abrasive with repeated

use, and it also compresses and loses its shape 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 your blister-vulnerable foot doesn't need.

Silk

Wearing a silk undersock can help prevent foot blisters and

relieve the pain once you get them, since silk is less damaging to the skin

than other fabrics.

Powder

Rubbing baby powder on your feet before any

blister-promoting activity is another good preventer. Some say you should make

powdering 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 the shoes several times a day, but only for 30 minutes--at least for the

first few days. So carry an extra pair of broken-in shoes in your handbag and

trade off a few times during the day.

Moleskin

Moleskin is the best preventive measure for the

blister-prone, and it's also great for relieving pain once the blister forms.

Cut the moleskin into a doughnut shape and place it over the blister (or the

area where you're prone to get it. The surrounding moleskin will absorb the

shock and friction that cause or aggravate blisters.

Heel Lift

Blisters on the back of your foot? Add a heel lift to

alleviate the rubbing.

Insole

To avoid blisters on the heel and other parts of the foot,

many doctors recommend a Spenco insole. These store-bought inserts cut down on

friction to prevent new blisters and help ease the pain of existing ones. Remember if you perspire too much,

you're more prone to getting blisters.

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 warm water and

soak your feet for about five minutes at the end of the day. Then dry,

thoroughly.

Gel

Triple antibiotic ointments can eliminate bacterial

contamination after two applications. After applying the antibiotic, you should

cover the area with a gauze pad--but change that covering each time it gets wet

to avoid contamination.

And finally…the right way to pop blisters.

Some doctors say that leaving a blister alone will reduce

the risk of secondary infection. Others say that if a blister hurts, you should

prick it with a pin to drain the water or blood that builds up under the

"roof" of the skin. Draining it, they say, will ease the pain. Since blisters usually hurt, most folks

vote to pop--but often do it wrong and risk infection. So here's the proper

procedure. Never remove the top layer of skin. After pushing the fluid

to one end of the "bubble," prick the blister on the side containing

the fluid, using a pin that's been sterilized with alcohol, a lighted match or

boiling water. The pin should prick the blister horizontally, just above the

skin.