I can't run properly because I have a massive blister on my right foot. It's located just under the left side of the arch of my right foot. It seems strange that I haven't got one on my left foot. I don't know whether it's the footwear I'm running in or the way I'm running, or maybe I have one leg longer than the other and I 'm putting more pressure on the right foot. I have fairly standard running shoes but I'm not very technical so I wouldn't know what type they are. Can anyone offer an explanation for why I'm getting blisters or what I should be doing to prevent them please?
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- shoes too loose
- feet are not identical so that's why one is worse
- try different socks
- rub surgical spirit on your feet to toughen the skin
- keep feet moisturised (yes, I know, that contradicts the surgical spirit one....I did warn you no-one knew the answers!!)
- put micropore tape around your foot before running, so the tape not your skin gets the friction
- put vaseline / Bodyglide / zinc cream on your feet before running to reduce friction
so....take your pick! sorry I can't be more helpful!
To sort out the current blister, I suggest you drain it (if it has not already popped) using a sterile needle (hold it in a flame for a couple of seconds). Then leave overnight to dry out a bit, and put a Compeed plaster on it. Compeed is some technical stuff that helps healing and helps prevent further blistering. You can get it in any chemist - just make sure you pick the right box, the plasters come in various sizes including "too tiny for a runners blister" :-)
Emma - until the day I wore a pair of those (and I'm not knocking them as such - they just obviously didn't suit my feet; other people say they're the best brand to use) I'd never had a blister and I've not had one since, so don't think that running = blisters. )
Ps: I dont work for Thurlos, though it might sound like i do! : )
I've just about fixed the problem by purcasing some new saucony running shoes, which are excellent, but there's still some friction under my feet due to cheap socks
I suffer from this and always have - I generally run in Brooks Beast, although did try switching to Adidas motion control, but they were terrible.
Things that I find help:
Thorlos are about the only socks for me
I use compeed plasters prior to a race or important long run, but I put them on about 36 hours before the run to let them set, and I always warm them up between my hands for a couple of minutes before putting them on - it helps them stick. If you put them on before a run then they just tend to fall off
I used to put vaseline on my feet, but this rubbed off after a few miles. Compeed have brought out an 'anti-blister' stick which is a bit like a solid deodorant that you rub on your feet and seems to last longer than vaseline. You can get it from a decent sized Boots, it's with the foot stuff
Running on a camber definately makes mine worse, so try to avoid heavily cambered roads/pavements, especially ones with a lot of drives cutting accross the pavement. Basically the camber accentuates the movement of the foot
Whe I do get a blister I have a very sharp cuticle scissors that I use to snip the looses skin open - just a tiny cut of a few millimetres, enough to drain the fluid/blood. Make sure you get it all out, and then just put a small plaster over the snip for a few hours to keep it clean. This will help the skin to harden and speeds up healing.
You have my sympathy, I hate my blisters but have just come to accept them. Every now and then I get a long run without a blister, generally when I can run on a flat surface (Hills are fine, as long as the running surface is level). For the FLM this year I used a couple of compeeds along with the stick thing and only got 1 blister about the size of a 5p.
Finally, when draining a blister always make sure everything is clean by using surgical spirit and wipes. An infected blister can be *very* painful.
My blisters are starting to bug me - have got them under both arches now from a treadmill run last night (wasn't wearing bandages) so will have to fork out for Compeed or special socks.
Have also got a sore from where my Enell was rubbing (think one of the catches was bent out of shape & set it off) so not in the best shape!
Twas Adidas that Christened me with my forum name. Once I'd got a pair of shoes from another maker I was cured. Mostly.
Surgical spirit. Keeps the area clean and avoids infection. Is also said to dry out the skin and harden it up. A bit.
I used wrappings of micropore as a preventive measure.
Never got on with Compeed.
I can now deal with a blister in 24 - 48 hours and be training again. Burst it, with a big enough hole so that it won't reseal. I use small sterilised scissors. Apply elastoplast strip. This acts as a padding and soaks up fluid, yet allowing air in. It works for me.
BTW I have happily worn shoes by Nike, Saucony, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno. I have even been tempted to reconsider Adidas, but not their clod hoppers.
But after a few runs x 3 miles in them...no more blisters!!!!
I can only assume that my foot wasn't used to the support my shoes gave, and they rubbed for a while, but no problems at all since (with blisters anyway...black toe nails now instead....if its not one thing its another!!!!)