Treating Blisters?

[Johnny]

What do you use for already formed blisters? Some suggest moleskin but usage really depends whether blister is already formed or not. What do you do?

[Gondor]

I usually use moleskin or if a blister is already formed I would add gauze or cotton pad beneath it after I clean the blister with alcohol.

[Jobiwan]

Prevention is probably the best way to avoid treatment. Good socks & shoes shouldn't give you a blister although it may happen from time to time. Treating a "hot spot" before the blister forms is recommended. This can be done with moleskin, blister kits and even duct tape. The last blister I got was on my hand from using a staff instead of trekking poles.

[Grandpa]

I prefer to clean area with alcohol swap and cover with fabric athletic tape. Some use duct tape but I find it hard to keep wrinkles out of the duct tape and the wrinkles just aggravate the area. I also have found that the thicker moleskin puts more pressure from a previously well fitting shoe/boot.

I also teach the kids to stop as soon as they feel a "hot" spot developing. The stop time to head a blister off before it occurs is much less than the time spent tending it after.

[Michael]

Whenever I feel the sort of rubbing that I know will form a blister, I stop and prevent it before it starts. I either do moleskin, or I put on a bandage with duct tape over it.

Further prevention in the form of properly fitting shoes and good socks is also wonderful.

[carmen]

Always went the gauze & cotton route. What is moleskin? So far we have been lucky this year and yet to get one but with all the yard work we still have left I doubt our luck will last the entire summer.

[SweetSassyLady]

I would prefer to prevent one. But if it happens, I will usually clean it well, pierce it on the outside ring of the blister to evacuate the fluid and leave the skin intact. Then I place a bandage of some sort, depending upon how big and where the blister is, and try to protect it as much as possible.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by carmen

What is moleskin?

It's an adhesive pad made from a tough but soft material. You stick it to spots on your foot that are being rubbed, and it acts as a secondary, extra tough layer of skin to prevent a little rubbing from turning into blisters. It comes in pads and rolls, and you can cut it to fit the size of the tender spot.

[steves]

A good sport tape as soon as I feel the hot spot,then keep on cruising has kept me from a blister for many years. I do wear good socks and boots but every so often the need arises so I always keep a roll in all my packs.

[limbs]

On the show Third Rock From The Sun, the character Marry put aloe on the character Sally's blister. Now, I know you can't believe everything you see on T.V., but would that really help?