Blisters are one of the most common foot ailments –and most people have experienced a blister at one point or another.
Often, blisters are caused perhaps by wearing shoes that don’t fit right –or rub. Other times, a piece of debris could become lodged in a shoe, causing irritation. When this happens, and the skin becomes damaged, a blister –or, a small pocket of fluid can form in the upper layers of skin. While blisters can form anywhere, they most often form on the heel or side of the foot where shoes often rub, causing discomfort or pain.
Prevention
When it comes to blisters, your best defense is prevention.
- Proper Shoes and Lacing
Start your defense against blisters by having shoes that fit properly and are not too tight or too loose. You should also ensure that your shoes are laced up properly to prevent them from slipping on your feet.
- Socks
Having dry socks is important, especially if you are active and your feet sweat a lot. Having moist socks can soften your skin, making your feet more susceptible to blisters. Materials that don’t hold moisture well –such as wool can help to keep your feet dry –helping to prevent blisters.
- Cushions
Insoles can help to create extra cushion for your toes and help prevent the friction between the base of your shoe and foot.
- Care
If you are lucky you might spot a blister before it forms. This area is known as a hot-spot –and should take the same steps to treat a hot-spot as you do to treat a blister.
Treatment
Treatment for a hot-spot or a blister is fairly straightforward.
- Reduce the Pressure
Reduce the pressure from the spot by removing whatever footwear you had been wearing. You should try to avoid wearing the same pair of shoes until the blister has been healed.
- Dress Your Blister
When wearing shoes, you should be sure to use an absorbent pad to cushion it, that won’t stick to the wound.
- Monitor It
From there, you should monitor the spot and try to prevent the blister from tearing. Tearing your blister prematurely can cause additional pain and lead to infection. Most blisters will go away on their own within a few days.
For foot treatment in Houston, Texas contact Dr. Lamarra of Shepherd Square Podiatry today.