To pop or not to pop..

[laj1987]

I've just finished W6 (this morning - yay!!) and amidst the happy smiley moments I'm in absolute agony *sighs*. My foot has started to rub in my running trainers and I have a blister on my foot, just at my arches. Added to that I walked a couple of miles tonight wearing my sensible walking shoes, which I've worn for ages and then tonight blisters on each heel. My heel blisters have popped and are sore but a couple of plasters should solve them however what should I do with the one on the base of my foot, I want to keep running!!!

[shelleymcb Graduate]

dont pop them. ouch!! they will sort of dispurse back into the skin if you are able to leave them alone. I never pop blisters ~ they are always so painful afterwards.

do you have any of those "happy feet" silicone insole type things. they are great & may ease the pressure on that part of the foot if you are able to position them in your trainers.

good luck.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to shelleymcb]

I have some happy feet somewhere, off to hunt for them now. It will be typical now I want them I won't be able to find them, I can guarantee it!!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

I highly recommend Compeed blister plasters. Don't pop tho!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yeh don't pop them, wash, pat dry and dab copious amount of surgical spirit on with cotton wool pad which will cleanse and help harden the skin (nips for a tille while though). Compede skin plasters are great and should stay on for about 4-5 days which will give them time to heal a bit. Make sure you foot is very dry before you apply these for best results.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks - I've never heard about the surgical spirit thing but I will be trying it. Ironic over the years I've spent a fortune on foot softening creams and now I want them to harden up. Lol

[BTX4 Graduate]

Yep another vote for compeed here

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to BTX4]

I forgot about compeed! How could I forget? I have used it before too and swore by it as it eases pressure so quickly.

[Alaiyo Graduate]

Don't pop! (Infection will be even less pleasant, honest.)

I don't know if you have something called "mole skin" in the UK. (It's easy to find in the first-aid sections of stores in North America.) It is a pretty thick, leathery substance with strong adhesive on one side, and suede-fuzz on the other. Here's the best way I ever found to use it (and it works AWESOME for blisters, corns, etc.) Start with a clean, dry foot.

1) Cut two small pieces about 1 cm bigger than the blister.

2) Cut the center out of 1 of the pieces, making a blister-sized donut shape. Take care that the hole is bigger than the blister.

3) Place donut around blister and stick it in place.

4) Place the solid piece over the donut, and stick it in place so it covers the piece below. (Optional, but not usually necessary: you can put a tiny piece of gauze in the hole of the donut so the top piece won't stick to the skin. Unless we are talking about a really huge blister, the hole won't be big enough for the top layer to get all the way down to your foot anyways, which is why this is optional.)

5) Replace every day or two until your foot feels better.

If you do the above, you should have zero pain, even running on it, because the blister should not come in contact with anything, protected by its donut. Consider investing in double-layered running socks. They are excellent at preventing blisters because the two layers rub together, rather than rubbing against your skin.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Alaiyo]

Thanks for this brilliant, detailed answer - I am going to the chemist to ask for some mole skin, I have just come so far I don't want to be defeated by blisters.

[newyorker570 Graduate]

Ditto Alaiyo, good answer.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yep we can get that here in the UK, comes in two different thicknesses too. I use it as a heel grip if my shoes stretch too much and start slipping.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Can we just get it from the chemist? What do I ask for?

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

I get told off for popping mine but I can't help poking and squeezing them until they pop. I them have to be extra careful not to get it infected, sooo, Do as I say and not as I do Do not pop!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Anonymous36]

I'm a popper and it's taking me all my will power to leave it alone. My have to chop my hands off to stop myself though!! I'm going to be good & use everyone's advice and let it heal.

[laj1987 Graduate]

Thanks for your replies everyone - am going to try a multitude of things including surgical spirit, compeed, the mole skin trick and also special running socks.

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to laj1987]

Hi iaj1987, good running socks I have found from Amazon MoreMile come in good choice of sizes, I have little feet and 2-5 fits me to perfection, they also do a man's version. They come in packs or 2 pairs and were half price the last time I checked so bought another 4 pairs cos I know they are good.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'd pop a heel one (sterilise a needle in a flame, insert needle at the edge of the blister and allow it to drain (no squeezing) and cover it ) but not one on the sole of the foot as there's a good chance of those subsiding by themselves, less chance of it getting into a total mess getting rubbed open, and also of it being quite thick skin.

I thought surgical spirit wasn't considered good skin care for rubbing these days?

[cvgough Graduate]

I've used moleskin (Scholl, I think) on blisters on the underside arch of my foot to good effect, combined with copious amounts of micropore tape to make sure it stays in place.