Blisters

[Zev1963]

Hello everyone. I posted the following on C25K, as that has always felt like home to me! But MissUnderstanding suggested I repost it here............

I've been running since 2014. Currently running 16km on sunday, 9km tuesday, 9km thursday. I have three pairs of running shoes, and use one pair for each of the 3 running days.

Until a couple of weeks ago, I have never had blisters from running, even when I was doing 25km long runs on sundays.

Now I have a blood blister on the inside edge of my right foot, in line with the ball of my big toe.

Does anyone have advice on whether it is best to pierce it, or to leave it full.

Any other advice regarding running blisters?

Many thanks in advance for any of your thoughts

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Hi Zev! I remember you from days on the C25K forum as we were around at the same time.

How great to see you here and to know that you're still running 🙂

Sorry about your blisters. I have only ever had one and at the time I did a lot of googling and the consensus seemed to be not to pierce them, to leave them alone. I wore a compeed plaster on mine and the liquid dispersed after a few days and then the skin hardened.

Do you know why you got the blister, which particular shoes did the damage?

I know linda9389 suffers from blisters so I’m sure she has more advice for you.

It’s really good to see you again and I hope you hang around here now you’ve found us!

[Zev1963 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Hi IrishPrincess Yes, we started around the same time. Nice to see that you are still running Thanks for the info. I see that my local pharmacie has Compeed plasters, so I'll give them a try. I'm not sure which shoes have caused the blister. In fact I now have one blister on top of the first one. It's not too painful, I can still run, it's about 10cm diameter. Thanks again for the advice. I will continue to read the posts here on this group now that I've discovered it. Happy running

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Zev1963]

Blisters and lost toe nails are a recurrent theme for runners. Some seem to escape them while others seem to get them no matter what.

I’ve had some horrendous blisters. My last marathon (or the one before) resulted in my feet looking like raw meat I put it down to a shoe that was wicking wet in at the toe during a wet marathon Had I worn a more water resistant shoe I’d have been ok. In dry conditions the shoe I wore would have been fine.

I have gone a full size up in my shoes, wear SMartwool socks, and Vaseline my feet well. If it’s wintry and wet, or just wet, I’ll wear a weatherised shoe. Compeed plasters are a good buy if you do get badly blistered feet. Epsom salts is another good addition to your bath, or a footbath, if showering is more your thing I never interfere with a blister other than putting a plaster on it

Anything over 10k I’m putting Vaseline on my feet 🙂

It’s a subject on my mind at the moment 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Zev1963]

Ouch, that sounds sore.

I use Compeed on sore areas that haven’t yet become a blister and they are brilliant for protecting the skin where an ordinary plaster doesn’t work. Moleskin is also very good for those tender spots.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Ouch. You have all my sympathy!

As IP says, I do indeed suffer! I get blood blisters on the inside of both feet, at the widest part of my foot. They started when I first got to about 14k and are at times worse than other. I have never deliberately burst them. When they are super sensitive, I use compeed plasters and run on. But Compeed don't prevent the blisters, or fix them, they merely give a buffer for a while.

I have tried various makes and models of shoes; wide shoes, none wide shoes; anti blister socks, double socks; leukotape, rocktape ... all to no avail! A long run will start a massive blister.

After a break for injury at one point, I got to about 20k before they blistered again but I have yet to run a Half marathon without burning blister pain! I have now accepted it is my lot!!! I no longer use compeed (unless I have a massively sore blister which I need to cushion), but for EVERY run, however short, I do apply a piece of Rocktape (kinesiology tape) over the spot and I run with Rockay antiblister socks (not sure they make any difference, but they still have life in them).

Like I say, you have my sympathy. I hope it's a one off ... but if not, know you are not alone!!!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Ah just where I got a blister on my longest ever run - I posted about it the other day as I was wondering if it was the distance I was doing or my shoes at fault.... had some good advice there if you can find it.... as for a blood blister I don't know but think I'd be inclined to leave it alone.... not burst it.... Hope it heals fast for you!

[Zev1963 10 Miles in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Hello CowLadyRunning. Thank you for your reply and advice. The consensus seems to be not to pierce it, but to apply a Compeed plaster to help it heal. I have continued to run, and it has not got any worse. I bought the Compeed plasters yesterday evening so I will try one before running this evening Thanks again

[Zev1963 10 Miles]

UPDATE ! - Hello everyone I applied a Compeed plaster before my run yesterday evening. I cleaned the foot with alcohol before applying the plaster. I'm impressed. It's like a new top layer of shiny and durable skin. Unlike normal plasters it sticks strongly and cleanly to my foot, and yet does not try to stick to my sock. (Normal plasters stuck to my sock in preference and pulled off my foot, leaving me with a rolled up sticky lump on the side of my foot! Even after a nice soak in the bath this morning, the compede plaster is still nicely applied to my foot in the right place. Perfecto Many thanks for your helpful replies, much appreciated.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Zev1963]

Great update Zev! Those Compeed plasters are amazing.