Jobs that cause blisters and how to deal with them

Some roles seriously stress your feet, especially with long hours, heat and tight shoes at play.

These include:

• Nurses and healthcare workers: constant movement makes blisters inevitable

• Retail staff and baristas: standing still traps moisture and rubs your heels and toes

• Construction workers: stiff, heavy boots protect, but cause heel blisters

• Warehouse and delivery workers: long walks on hard floors wear skin down fast

• Hospitality staff: tight or formal shoes rub in all the wrong places during a busy shift

• Factory and manufacturing staff: steel-toe boots protect, but hit painful pressure points

Standing for long periods may seem harmless, but it puts pressure on your heels and the balls of your feet, especially if your shoes don’t fit right.

To prevent blisters from standing all day:

• Add extra cushioning: use padded insoles or gel inserts to spread weight evenly

• Moisture matters: keep feet dry with breathable socks and antiperspirant sprays made for your feet

• Switch it up: change positions or shift your weight regularly

• Cover hot spots early: if you feel rubbing, pop on a Compeed® blister plaster. It cushions and protects before the blister worsens

Tip: If your job involves standing on hard floors (like in healthcare or retail), a small foot roll or stretch every hour boosts circulation and eases pressure.

Heavy-duty work boots protect your feet, but their stiff leather rubs against heels, ankles, and toes, causing painful blisters.

• New boots: not broken in yet, they irritate the heel

• Thick socks or sweaty feet: moisture softens skin, increasing friction

• Loose fit: your heel lifts as you walk, rubbing the same spot repeatedly

• Poor insoles: flat insoles create pressure points, especially during long shifts

• Break boots in gradually: wear them for short periods before full shifts

• Choose moisture-wicking socks: avoid cotton, pick synthetics or double-layer socks

• Add heel grips or liners: they reduce friction and slippage

• Use a Compeed® blister plaster to protect and cushion the heel inside the boots

Fun fact: Compeed® plasters stay on in heavy boots or sweaty conditions, so you don’t have to stop mid-shift to fix them.

Heel blisters are by far the most common. That stiff leather edge or loose heel cup is to blame.

• Prevent before you start: use a Compeed® plaster before putting on boots

• If a blister forms: keep it clean and covered to protect and speed healing

• Adjust laces right: not too loose, not too tight, just enough for a secure fit

• Try lacing tricks: a ‘heel lock’ keeps your foot stable and locked in place.

So, how do these tiny plasters make such a big difference?