How to Prevent and Treat Blisters Acquired from Running

Running is an amazing workout. It’s free, fun and it can help you burn a lot of calories. But when your shoes and socks rub you the wrong way, running will be less fun because you’ll get blisters. Here are some tips to prevent and treat blisters due to running.

What is a Blister?

A blister is a common injury among runners that looks like a bump filled with liquid. Caused by friction, this injury separates the epidermis from the dermis. In fact, it can get really painful sometimes – enough to stop you from completing your run.

Worried about blisters? Here are the tips to prevent and treat blisters.

How to Prevent Blisters

Pick the Right Pair of Socks  – Choose the right pair of socks to avoid developing painful blisters. Never use socks made of cotton! Cotton doesn’t let the moisture move away from your feet. Instead use nylon socks because they can minimize the moisture on your feet.  Most running specialty stores carry socks that are made specifically for runners to avoid blisters.

Wear Double-Layer Socks – If you’re wearing a pair of socks and you’re still getting blisters, try doubling it up. As obvious as it is, wearing two pairs of socks instead of one can reduce the friction you’ll get from running.  Choose socks that are thin so you can wear them double without making the shoe fit too tight.

Wear Shoes that Fit you Right – Before running, make sure that you are equipped with the right footwear. Ill fitting shoes can contribute to friction. Therefore, you’ll be more prone to blisters. So make sure you’re wearing the right size. And if you want, you can a slightly bigger size to give more room to your toes.
Apply Powders and Creams – Use blister-preventing foot powders to control the moisture and smoothen the surface on your feet. You can also apply foot cream to lessen the friction.

How to Treat Blisters

Clean the Blister – Before cleaning, wash your hands first to avoid infection. After that, clean the blister using water and soap.

Puncture – Puncture the blister on the spot near its edge. Use a sterilized needle for this. Also, avoid sterilizing your needle with flame. Heating it will produce carbon properties that can cause more harm to the injury. Instead, use alcohol and a swab.

Drain the Liquid – After popping the blister, drain the liquid inside it using clean cotton or gauze.

Apply Medication – Once the fluid is drained, apply medication to accelerate the healing process. Antiseptic cream or antibiotic ointment work best when treating blisters.

Cover It with a Tight Bandage – If the blister is huge, dress it up with sterilized gauze. But if it’s small, a Band-Aid should be enough. Make sure it’s covered nice and tight to protect it against infection.

Remove the Dressing after 2-3 Days – In 2-3 days, take off the dressing and cut off the dead skin with a pair of sterilized medical scissors. Then clean it again using water and soap. After that, apply medication and cover it again until it’s healed.

With these tips you can prevent and treat blisters easily. Never worry about it again. Don’t let it stop you from reaching your running goals.

Keep on running!