Blisters on your feet can make walking feel miserable. They also put you at risk of infection if you do not deal with them properly. To ease your pain and prevent infection, follow these steps to treat your blisters and prevent any additional ones from forming.
Step 1: Pop the blister with a sterilized needle.
If you don't pop the blister yourself, chances are it will pop inside your shoe. Then, you won't have any control over how it pops or what the delicate skin inside the blister is exposed to after it pops. When you pop it yourself, you have this control.
To pop your blister, start by dipping a sewing needle into rubbing alcohol. Hold the needle until it dries completely. Then, insert it gently into the center of the blister to make a tiny hold. Pull the needle back out, and then gently press on the blister to drain all of the liquid.
Step 2: Clean and cover the blister.
Apply an antibacterial ointment, like Neosporin, to the blistered area. Then, cover it with a Band Aid. In the days that follow, make sure you remove the Band Aid, clean the area gently with soap and water, reapply the Neosporin, and put on a new Band Aid once per day. Once the blister is no longer painful (this should take about 4 or 5 days) you can stop this process.
Step 3: Sanitize and powder your shoes.
This will help keep future blisters from forming, and it will also protect your existing blister once you stop putting a Band Aid on it. Spray your shoes with an antibacterial spray made for shoes, following the instructions on the package. Once the shoes dry, sprinkle baby powder or talc powder inside the shoes. This will reduce friction and also keep moisture levels down, both of which help prevent blisters.
Step 4: Choose the right socks.
You need socks that wick moisture away from your feet. Socks made from athletic materials are often the best choice. Make sure they are thin enough that they don't make your shoes too tight. Dress socks often perpetuate blister formation since they're made from non-breathing nylon. You might have to wear athletic socks with your dress clothes for a while until your blisters are gone.
If your blisters ever become red and inflamed, or if they begin releasing pus, these are signs of infection. Contact a podiatrist such as Dr. Maurice Levy. You may need antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading and becoming worse.
