Foot blisters are something that is all too common and known by essentially anyone who wears shoes. If you’ve ever worn shoes for a long period of time or partaken in an activity that was harsh on your feet, then odds are you’ve had a blister at one point or another. Given how common they are, we wanted to take some time to talk about their causes and how to prevent them.
What Causes Blisters?
Blisters are small pockets of fluids that form on areas of your body. These bubbles can vary in shape in size and can occur for a variety of reasons like skin burns, infections, insect bites, or trauma. Blisters commonly develop on your feet and can greatly interfere with daily activities given how uncomfortable they can be.
If you have blisters on your feet, friction is most likely the culprit. Walking or standing for several hours a day puts pressure on areas of your feet like the heels, toes, and soles. The longer you’re on your feet, the greater at risk you are for blisters.
Of course, not everyone who is on their feet for multiple hours a day doesn’t develop blisters. In fact, the cause may be from having poor-fitting shoes. Shoes that fit too tightly or too loosely can rub up against the skin and cause friction, which results in pockets of fluid under the skin.
Home Remedies for Blisters
It is extremely tempting for some to pick at their blisters and potentially even remove them, but you want to avoid doing this for a variety of reasons. An open blister can lead to an infection and create even more problems than the original blister itself. If you leave the blister alone it will eventually harden and disappear in a painless fashion. However, if your blister is large in size you can consider safely draining the fluids for some relief.
How to Prevent Blisters on your Feet
Preventing blisters on your feet first starts with addressing the underlying problems which are improper footwear. If you notice that you get blisters due to friction, you should ensure you buy shoes specifically for each activity during the day and that they are the correct size. If you notice you’re getting blisters on certain areas of your feet you should then consider getting special insoles to help your shoes fit better.
If you’re an athlete or someone who gets blisters due to excess moisture, you can use foot powder to reduce sweating. You can also purchase moisture-wicking socks to help prevent excess sweating on your feet.
Blisters can be a pain both figuratively and literally, so it’s best to address to issue head-on and right away to prevent any unnecessary injury and damage to your feet. If you’re concerned about your blisters, you can contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our Podiatrists.