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.
What are blisters?
Friction blisters are small pockets of clear fluid under a layer of skin. Blisters can occur when an area of the skin is damaged by friction – so in this case, if a part of your shoe is repeatedly rubbing on a part of your foot. Blisters usually clear up by themselves, but you should get them checked out if there is any sign of infection – if, for example, the area is hot or painful or there is discoloured pus inside the blister.
What types of shoes cause blisters the most?
“Any shoe that doesn’t fit properly can cause blisters. This is because poorly-fitted shoes, particularly those that are too big can slip around on our feet causing friction. Blisters are nature’s little cushions that protect us from deeper damage to our skin,” says Susannah Davda.
What types of activities should you avoid doing in certain shoes?
“When you haven’t worn a pair of shoes for a while, I would recommend wearing them for a short walk at first, rather than committing to a full day or evening in them. This recommendation also applies to brand new shoes,” Susannah says.
Sweaty feet can be more prone to blisters, so wearing well fitted, moisture-wicking socks can help when you’re running or doing other physical activities. Ill fitted socks and socks with holes can also make blisters more likely, so it’s worth investing in good quality, well-fitting socks to suit your various shoes.
What types of shoes should you pick for walking/running/dancing?
“Comfort is paramount when it comes to our enjoyment of any activity. If your shoes fit, don’t rub, and are comfortable underfoot, they allow you to live your life without distraction. Running and high impact forms of dancing require specialist footwear, so do visit a running shop or dancewear store, or ask them for online advice when shopping for those types of shoes,” Susannah says.
Different people have different feet, so it’s worth looking for features that you personally may find helpful – like shoes for overpronation (when your feet go inwards) or high insteps, for example.
What can you do to try and avoid getting blisters when wearing shoes?
“Avoid buying shoes that don’t fit you perfectly from the start. Also don’t expect to be able to “break in” your shoes. In my experience, you are more likely to have to “break in” your feet, and that can be an uncomfortable or even damaging process,” Susannah says.
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