PUBLISHED 02/13/2008
1. A blister may not sound as debilitating as, say, plantar fasciitis, but one painful, fluid-filled bubble can easily derail your run. Fortunately, caring for blisters is much easier than dealing with an internal foot injury. "With blisters, it's pressure, heat, and friction," says Richard Bouché, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the Sports Medicine Clinic, in Seattle. "Eliminate these three and you eliminate blisters."
2. Not surprisingly, Bouché says that ill-fitting shoes--both in size and width--are the number one cause of blisters. But just as important for sweaty feet are socks made from materials other than cotton, which tends to retain moisture. Some runners who sweat profusely might have success applying antiperspirants to their feet before a run or using powders specially designed to keep dry.
3. If a blister forms, forgo moleskin; it's likely to tear the bubble when you remove it, Bouché says. But if the boil gets large enough that you can see the fluid inside, he recommends draining the blister using a sterile lancet and then applying an antibiotic ointment. Once a blister is popped, it's best to protect the area with a gel-centered adhesive that will alleviate pain when you're on your feet.
