As temperatures warm, many of us resume springtime activities like hiking, jogging and running. The downside is blisters, which form when friction between our feet and shoes causes the skin’s top layer to split and fluid to accumulate.
The key to preventing blisters is to reduce friction. Unfortunately, most first-aid books encourage you to lubricate feet with petroleum jelly, but as the name implies, it’s not an eco-friendly product.
Organic consumers can opt for nonpetroleum-based products like Body Glide Skin Lubricant or Brave Soldier Friction Zone.
Once a blister forms, there’s no better dressing than your own skin, “so you should not peel off the top layer of a blister,” says Brian B. Adams, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Cincinnati.
If the top layer does come off, cover the blister with a natural product like Badger Foot Balm or Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment and a sterile bandage.
Blisters normally do not become infected, Dr. Adams says. But redness, increased pain, warm skin and the presence of pus indicate an infection, which requires medical attention.
Blister Prevention
- Wear organic, moisture-wicking socks, such as Maggie’s Functional Organics Sports Socks or Fox River Organic Socks for men and women.
- Buy shoes that fit. Break them in before undertaking a long run or hike.
- Lubricate feet to prevent chafing. (See product recommendations, above.)
- Apply blister blocks to blister-prone areas. Check out Band-Aid Blister Block.
[...] Are Important. If you go bare, your foot may slide, causing blisters. Wear a thin cotton sock, which will absorb sweat. Avoid nylon, which causes excessive [...]
Foot blisters can form whenever you have a hard or rough surface rubbing repeatedly against one spot on your foot. This is typically caused by new or ill-fitting shoes. Foot blisters are painful and can make walking extremely difficult. Since they are on your feet, which are near the ground and the many sources of dirt and grime there, foot blisters are also more susceptible to infection than other types of blisters.