Blister Causes & Prevention
The most common type of foot blister for most people is the friction blister. They are those pesky pockets of fluid that form on your foot in the upper layers of skin after too much stress and friction with your shoes. They are formed as the top layer of skin tears away from the tissues below, plasma-like fluid leaks from the cells and begins to fill the gap, cushioning the tissue from further damage.
Lern how to prevent a blister
Keep it comfortable
The first way you can help prevent them is by wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
Be prepared
If you're anticipating a long day on your feet or breaking in new shoes, have an anti-blister stick handy.
Take Action
As soon as you feel a blister forming, immediately apply the stick to prevent further friction and irritation.
No one wants blisters to put them off their game. Whilst you might associate blisters with ill-fitting shoes, the truth is you can get blisters on any part of the body that experiences friction.
You know the feeling; you’re walking down the street, showing off your new shoes, feeling pretty good about life when the rubbing starts on the back of your heel. At first, you try to pass it off as something that will pass, but before you know it, you realise you have a blister and the pain is unbearable.
There is no shortage of ways that you could injure yourself in the gym, from the incorrect use of equipment to not properly warming up and everything in between.
Nothing quite undercuts the thrill of a new pair of running shoes like a blister - and yet it’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of your latest trainers and start wearing them immediately, for as long as possible. Before you know it, you’re feeling that all-too-familiar rubbing and soreness.
Selecting appropriate footwear is crucial for ensuring comfort, performance, and overall foot health whatever activity you’re undertaking. Whether you’re running a marathon, hiking in the mountains, or simply walking around town, the right shoes can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explore the factors to consider when choosing footwear for different activities and provide tips for finding the perfect fit.
The day has finally come. It may be a wedding, a reunion, a party or your first day in a new job – but it’s finally here. You’ve been preparing for a long time. You bought a new outfit, hit the gym a few extra times, you’ve even got a fresh haircut. And after shopping for days and days, you even found the perfect pair of shoes. They’re not too dressy, not too casual and they look amazing with your outfit. They’ll put a strut in your step and make you feel like a million dollars. Nothing can stop you in these shoes. So, now you’re all set for the big occasion. What could go wrong?
No matter what sport you’re into, nothing should stop you from hitting your personal goals every week. Unfortunately, something as small as a foot blister can do just that. And it happens a lot, even to top athletes. Whilst not as serious as a broken bone or a sprain, blisters shouldn’t be taken lightly. They can affect your concentration, decrease your performance and cause overuse injuries to your knees and ankles.
A painful blister can completely sideline your running progress, in fact blisters can even interrupt the careers of top athletes. While they aren’t as serious as breaks and sprains, blisters shouldn’t be ignored as they can affect your concentration and performance. The best practice for any athlete is to avoid getting blisters in the first place and your choice of shoe is where the prevention starts.
Taking on a marathon is a major physical commitment, and one that shouldn’t be attempted without a considerable training period beforehand. With most marathon training plans requiring between 12 and 20 weeks of increasing your fitness and endurance, the build-up to a marathon can feel almost as intense as the big event itself.
There’s nothing quite like watching the inspirational achievements of the world’s Olympic athletes to motivate you to get up, get moving and get fit.
Anyone, no matter who they are or how good their life may look, can suffer from diminished mental health.
There’s nothing like hiking in the great outdoors. The beautiful nature, the fresh air, the peace and quiet all make for a wonderful adventure. But not all hiking experiences are the same and the key is in the preparation. This includes setting your route, packing your map, water, food and a few light layers of clothing. If you are very keen, you may even want to try walking around your neighbourhood carrying your backpack for practice. After all this you’ll be ready to hit the track, but what about your feet?
FAQ
Got questions? We’ve got you covered!
Blisters develop as a result of repeated friction and rubbing, often from tight or ill fitting shoes
Blisters are fluid filled lesions that develop in response to repeated friction on the skin. Open blisters can be very painful and take up to 7 days to heal (individual experiences may vary (individual experiences may vary.)
Blisters can take several days to heal. Treatments focus on protecting the blister from further friction. Apply a Compeed plaster to prevent further blistering and provide instant pain relief.
If you're wearing shoes that make you more prone to blisters protect your feet from rubbing and friction with Compeed Blister Plasters. You can also prevent blisters by wearing two pairs of thin socks when exercising. Be sure to read our full blister prevention advice.