Blisters

[botty]

Very likely to be have been done over and over again, but why not yet again?


I have been going walking now for about 8 years, and during that time always had blister problems. I have tried different boot brands, had boots fitted, tried dual-layer socks, tried socks over base socks, tried different sock material, specialised inner soles, tying my boots tight, loose, moderate.......but all to no avail. We walked 17.5 miles in the Peak District on Saturday and my feet are a bit of a mess; I eve get the start of blisters on flat ground over a few miles.


So, any 'magic' suggestions?

[Owen]

Keep walking, you'll grow harder skin on your feet eventually.

[pauldawes]

You're right about it being an old favourite topic, but I might as well "download" my usual thoughts on subject.


Worth taking changes of socks and small towel if you are prone to blisters. Every couple of hours...or at first sign of any trouble...take boots and socks off, dry feet, change socks. Tape any areas that are reddening with zinc oxide tape. (I save compeed plasters only for the few occasions that I actually get a blister...they are good, give instant relief, and good protection from further damage.)


I tend to only get blisters with new boots these days, and nearly always at back of my heels. Therefore if I do a long walk with new boots (this doesn't happen often nowadays...eithe long walks or new boots!)....then before start of walk I tape up the areas I know are "weak spots", again with zinc oxide tape. (An alternative is to put Lanacane anti-chafing gel on known problem areas.)

[Islandplodder]

I have more or less sorted a blister problem, I took everyone's advice and these are what I ended up with.
Two pairs of socks (ie liner socks under the thick ones) or 1000 mile socks.
Boots blister stick, but Vaseline does just as well, before you put your boots on. There's some stuff called Gewohl cream which lots of people swear by, but I haven't tried it yet as it's expensive and so far blister sticks have worked.
Especially in warm weather, take your boots off when you stop for lunch and give your feet an airing. If you can stick your feet in a stream, better still.
I'm sure you don't need to do all three of these, but after years of pain I haven't had a blister for 4 years, including the Pennine Way and the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail.  So I continue to do all three, and daren't change anything.

[gunwharfman]

It happened to me, so I really sympathise. Mine started the first time I bought a pair of Brasher boots, the blisters then were dreadful. I then bought a new pair, same make, same model but this time the female version. It worked instantly, no more blisters! At the same time I started to use Sorbothane inserts, much more comfort and easier to walk further and still no more blisters.

The last time I had blisters was when I substituted my 'soft' Sorbothanes for my 'hard' Superfeet inserts. The blisters appeared all around the left heel area and under both feet. The heel problem was caused, I think, by the sharpish edge of the cup that my heel fitted into and I then concluded that the underfeet ones were caused by my feet slightly 'sliding around' on the smooth toe area of those inserts. I went back to Sorbothanes and have not had a blister since.

To be honest though, I have been on 'the verge' of getting a blister now and again. Nowadays I just make sure that at every stop, I take my boots off and wash my feet with a 'Wet One' or similar,. I then let them dry properly and always turn my socks inside out for the next stage of my hike. I may do this two, three, sometimes four times a day!

All I can reliably say is that the method that I use works for me. Feet are such funny things!

[gunwharfman]

In my case my feet have never grown 'harder skin', mine are always soft and delicate, just like a baby!

[pauldawes]

In my case my feet have never grown 'harder skin', mine are always soft and delicate, just like a baby!

Sign of an healthy foot...according to my chiropodist.

[botty]

Many thanks for the feedback folks; much appreciated.

[ninthace]

The prevention treatments listed above are all good but if it happens, never ever "soldier on" - it won't go away and it won't get better!


Although I have not had blisters for ages, I still carry Compeed plasters but now I find I tend to give them to other folk.  If you start to feel a hot spot or blister forming stop immediately and stick a Compeed on it.  Also, when applying it, try to dry the foot as much as possible and after applying the plaster, warm it thoroughly with your hand to get a really good fit.  Do not remove it at the end of the day unless it is falling off.  If possible, let it stay on until it wants to come off on its own.  Finally, I have found that "own brand" blister plasters are no where near as good as the original and tend to fall off so avoid them.

[tonyk]

If you have tried changing boots,various foot treatments etc and none of them have resolved the problem then the next thing to examine is foot strike.In the elderly pressure sores  are caused by weight being on an area for a prolonged period.When you walk distances your feet strike,or rather should be placed,on the ground thousands of time,usually in the same place until a blister develops and then you change your gait to try and take pressure off it.It pays to examine foot placement very carefully and make sure you are not using excessive strength when walking and pounding the ground rather than gently placing your feet.

[Owen]

The prevention treatments listed above are all good but if it happens, never ever "soldier on" - it won't go away and it won't get better!

When I said keep walking, I didn't mean don't do anything about it. Yes defiantly do clear and dress your blister, you used to be able to get sticky-back spongy rubber sheets that were great for keeping the pressure off the effected area. But don't stop walking and rest up, worst thing you can do. Sorry should have put that in my earlier post.

[gunwharfman]

I agree, 'own brands' that I've used are useless. The worst of all in my experience are the ones from Boots!

[alewife]

I buy a box of fabric plaster strips (the big ones about 3 inches long) and stick about half of one where I feel any  hotspot before I walk. Might try the vaseline trick. Last boots were no bother, new ones have rubbed my heal but I did have new but cheapie socks on which felt quite loose so may have 'bunched' up.

Clean feet and clean socks definitely helps, and the wetwipe thing is helpful too.

[Murphy]

Before every walk powder your feet with Johnsons baby powder.  I carry it with me on every walk.  Do lots of long distance walking, carrying weight.  Swear by it.....

[Mel]

I find I get blisters in the places where I get hard skin.  I found getting rid of the hard skin prevents the blisters (which sounds like the complete opposite of the reason hard skin develops in the first place    )
 
... but it works for me