Blisters crop up when there鈥檚 friction between your skin and your shoe. They鈥檙e especially common among runners, but all types of athletes are susceptible. Here鈥檚 how to treat your blisters and return to training.
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If the blister is in a spot where it will likely tear (like the bottom of your foot)鈥
Pop it. Wash your hands, use a sterilized needle to drain the blister by poking a hole to one side, and compress the blister to push out the fluid. If the liquid isn鈥檛 clear or you see red streaks (a sign of infection), see your doctor. Do not tear off the loose, dead skin, which can lead to an infection. Finally, clean the area with antibacterial soap, cushion with a , which you can make by cutting the center out of a small piece of , and cover with a bandage. At this point, it鈥檚 usually OK to run. If the blister becomes irritated again, wait a couple days for it to harden and become less sensitive.
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If you don鈥檛 think the blister will tear on its own鈥
Don鈥檛 pop it. Breaking the skin will increase the chance of infection. Instead of popping the blister, protect the area with either a or a donut pad. This will reduce additional friction so you won鈥檛 agitate the area further.
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If you don鈥檛 see a blister鈥
Reduce your risk of getting one. To avoid blisters, keep your feet dry with . Sweat can turn skin soft and white, like when you鈥檝e been in the tub too long. Add in heat and friction from movement, and you鈥檝e got the perfect environment for a blister. Also, choose a shoe that fits properly. If it rubs in the store, it鈥檚 going to rub on the road.
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