With the official start of summer on its way, people in Jacksonville and across the country will be starting their favorite outdoor activities. Whether you are a runner or play other sports, you should take steps to make sure your feet don't blister.
A blister is a fluid filled sac in the upper layer of skin. While they can be caused by chemicals or burns, our most common encounters with blisters are probably from those caused by friction. They are more common in warm conditions and when your skin is wet. Thus, blisters on the feet are preventable by doing the following:
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Make sure they've been broken in
- Don't walk long distances in dress shoes
- Wear absorbent socks to keep your feet dry
- Bandage or tape problem areas
Of course, when you do get blisters, take these steps:
- Remove whatever is causing the irritation. This can be accomplished with bandages or better fitting shoes.
- Blisters will heal on their own if left alone, so you probably will not need medical attention.
- Don't pop your blister! This skin covering your blister is a natural barrier to infection.
If your blister is painful, you can find instructions on how to drain it here, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.
Occasionally, a blister will become infected. Other times, infections will cause blisters. In either case, your podiatrist will have you on a course of antibiotics.
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