Hello, I'm the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/

Here's your outdoor tip on friction blisters.

Blisters can be uncomfortable and annoying, but in most cases they are not serious enough to require extensive medical attention. Unexplained blistering on your skin may require you to go to the doctor, but most blisters you develop in the outdoors will be caused by shoes rubbing against a part of your foot. In this case the blister produces vesicles when friction between your skin and shoes causes layers of skin to separate and fill with fluid.

If you know the cause of your blister, you can treat it by using porous bandages to keep it covered and protected while absorbing the moisture and allowing the wound to breathe. The fluids will eventually escape back under the skin and disappear. The skin over the fluid protects it from infection and you should try to keep it intact. You should only consider puncturing a blister if it is causing extreme pain when you walk or use your hands if that is the location of the blister. Never puncture a blister if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that might cause a problem.

The steps in removing a blister are:

1. Wash your hands and the wound with soap and water

2. Use alcohol to swab the blister

3. Sterilize a needle with alcohol

4. Puncture the blister at several spots near the blister’s edge.

5. Leave the skin in place after allowing the fluid to drain

6. Cover with a bandage

7. Cut away the dead skin after several days

8. Apply bandage again until healed

9. See a medical professional if you see redness, signs of infection or have continued pain

Blisters frequently occur when something rubs against your skin for a continued period of time—most often on your hands or feet. To prevent blisters place a protective covering over the area being rubbed. Special socks or gloves are available that have padding in areas where blisters may most often be created. It is possible to attach moleskin on the inside of your shoe where it might rub.

Friction blisters are usually not life-threatening, and will disappear once the friction causing them stops. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes if you are going to be walking for a long time and use cushioned socks to reduce friction. If you feel a blister forming, stop and protect this area with a bandage.

Some people use Super Glue to treat blisters. Squeeze the glue into a pierced area and it will have a comparable effect to Liquid Skin or a similar product—although this may not be a method approved by your doctor.

Vaseline might work, but there are anti-chafing products available to use also.

Moleskin can be placed in the blister hole. You must be sure the moleskin is in the hole or it can cause further damage. It must also be secure so it does not move and cause additional injury.

Most frequently blisters are more annoying than anything. Do not ignore them, however. Protect your body parts from continual friction that creates blisters and can irritate them with continual movement. Always go to a medical professional if you have continued pain and signs of infection.

This is the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/

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References-Additional Reading

Blisters-First Aid
http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-blisters/basics/art-20056691

What’s causing my blisters?
http://www.healthline.com/health/blisters

How to stop blisters from getting worse once you have them
http://www.2toms.com/knowledge/how-to-stop-blisters-from-getting-worse-once-you-have-them/

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