Compeed
Blisters

How to Treat Blisters on Your Feet

3 min read
How to Treat Blisters on Your Feet How to Treat Blisters on Your Feet How to Treat Blisters on Your Feet

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.

In most cases they can be easily prevented and, if needed, treated. This section contains everything you need to know about how to treat blisters and how Compeed® can support you.

Although they may be small, they can ruin a special occasion, a holiday, a fitness class or even just a day of running errands. They happen to everyone, and they can take several days to heal, but there are things you can do to prevent them, ease the pain, and make a recovery faster.

The first way you can help prevent them is by wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes. But if you know you are going to have a long day on your feet, or if you’re breaking in new shoes, it’s wise to have an anti-blister stick on hand. Whenever you feel a blister coming on, immediately apply the stick on the spot to prevent further friction from occurring.

There are many myths, for example, many people recommend wearing cotton socks, but the cotton keeps moisture on the skin, which increases the friction, so we suggest specialist synthetic socks with breathable fabric. Another myth is to use foot powder on your feet to keep them dry, and while foot powder does help absorb a lot of perspiration, it’s good to remember that it can also clump together and cause more friction in the area.

Treatment

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If you do get a blister, proper treatment is the key to a quick recovery.

  • Cover with a specialist blister plaster to keep it clean, dry, and protected from further friction and stress. Resist the urge to pop or drain it. Should the blister burst on its own, don’t peel off the dead skin. Once it’s popped, gently wash the affected area with soap and water and cover it with a specialist blister plaster to keep it clean.

A common mistake people make is to take the plaster off at night to let air into the blister. Blisters heal faster in a moist healing environment i.e., when covered with a COMPEED®blister plaster. The plaster should be left on until it starts to peel away – this is an indication that the blister has healed. See your doctor if you experience common symptoms of an infection such as pain, swelling, redness or warmth, red streaks leading away from your blister, or pus coming from it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a blister?

Blisters are fluid filled lesions that develop in response to repeated friction on the skin. Open blisters can be very painful and take several days to heal.

What causes blisters?

Blisters develop as a result of repeated friction and rubbing, often from tight or ill-fitting shoes.

How to treat blisters?

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.

How to prevent blisters?

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.

Why do blister plasters go white?

Blister plasters turning white indicates that they have absorbed excess fluid which aids healing.

Should I pop my blister before putting on the COMPEED® patch?

You do not need to burst the blister to use Compeed®. If it does open, clean it with mild soapy water, soak it in a saltwater foot bath for 10 minutes and cover with a protective plaster such as COMPEED®.

Are COMPEED® blister plasters waterproof?

Yes, COMPEED® plasters are waterproof. Although contact with water may reduce the adhesion, water will only enter through the edges of the patch, not through the outer film. If the adhesion is reduced, remove the plaster carefully by slowly stretching along the skin and replace with a new one.

Can I put COMPEED® on an open blister?

COMPEED® Blister plasters can be used at the stage when the blister is open, creating a wound. COMPEED® will protect from infection, dirt, and water, and creates a moist environment which helps the healing. COMPEED® should be applied after the wound has been cleaned and dried.

Samuelle Yohou
Samuelle Yohou
Medical Manager at HRA Pharma since March 2021, Samuelle Yohou is responsible for ensuring information published on COMPEED’s UK and Ireland websites is accurate and up to date from a medical and regulatory perspective.