Blisters
Blisters are a
condition that can lead to infection if not properly treated.
They're not only extremely painful, they also can affect your running form
and may seriously disrupt your training for a few days. A blister that
becomes infected may take several weeks to heal. There're several
reasons runners get blisters.
- Wearing new shoes.
- Wearing shoes that don't
fit well.
- Coming back from a lay-off
of more than a few weeks.
- Beginning a new type of
training, like speed-work for instance.
- Feet that sweat a lot.
- Running without socks.
Friction causes blisters.
Blisters can occur anywhere on your foot, but
they're most likely to develop on the ball of your foot or your toes. Because they can become infected if they're opened and exposed to
germs, you should avoid "popping" blisters.
Unless a blister begins to tear, it's best left alone. If you're
experiencing pain, try covering it with a soft
blister pad. Because the
pads are shaped like a doughnut, they help take pressure off the
blister itself. Blisters can take a long time to heal; don't be
discouraged if it takes as long as a week to ten days.
If a blister starts to tear, you should carefully open it to protect
the new skin underneath from germs. Here's how:
- Carefully and completely
cleanse the area with soap and warm water,
then follow up with an antiseptic liquid
- Sterilize a small scissors
by passing them through an open flame or
immersing them in alcohol. Use the sterilized scissors to gently cut
away the top part of the torn blister.
- Gently apply more
antiseptic liquid and an antiseptic cream to the
soft, new skin.
- Cover the new tissue with
the piece of blister you've cut off.
- Cover the entire area with
a sterile dressing.
- If the blister becomes more
painful, or starts to get red and warm
around the edges, see a doctor as soon as you can.
Avoiding blisters is easy if
you follow the following tips.
- Before you put on your
socks, rub petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the
areas that blister frequently.
- Dust the insides of both
your socks and your shoes with talcum or
foot powder.
- Wear blister-free socks, or
two pair of socks provided they don't
wrinkle.
- Make sure you don't have
wrinkles in your socks; they should fit
snugly around your foot.
- Wear shoes that fit
properly.
- Always wear socks when you
run.
- If you get any
"hot" spots, make sure you cover them with Vaseline or
moleskin so they won't develop into a blister.
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