It happens to us all at some point and when it does ... it not only hurts like hell but it can also seriously interfere with training and events!! So, here (for those who have been asking) is a little masterclass in how to deal with those pesky blisters. This is based purely on my own experience and so shouldn't be treated as proper, actual, medical advice (although having said that ... it really does work!!)
So ... you have a blister ... and it really really hurts ... what do you do?
The first thing to do is to spend a good hour or two deciding whether you should pop it or not. All the medics out there will advise you not to but, if (like me) you have one that is so big it wont allow you to put a shoe on, I would suggest you find a fine needle, sterilise it and make a tiny hole at the very edge and allow it to drain. WARNING: This stings like you wouldn't believe but dig deep and deal with it!!!
Now, at this point you will need a Spenco 2nd Skin Blister Kit. You can't buy it in any shop but you can get it on Amazon and it has EVERYTHING you need to get your feet back to being happy again.
Take one of the gel squares and place it over the blister then cover the whole area with the fabric knit. Change it every day but allow it to get some air from time to time too.
When the top layer of skin has become thin and papery (and only if it has come away from the skin underneath) carefully cut it away and then continue to cover with gel squares and fabric knit until it has healed.
Now that you have had a blister there ... you are likely to get a blister there again so this is when you need to use the white foam pads. Simply stick them wherever you need to and train away. They are super sticky so stay on pretty well but if you need extra stick (or if you are going to be training/competing for a long time) you can cover the pad with some super sticky fabric knit. I have completed marathons with this stuff stuck to my feet and it hasn't budged!!!
WARNING: DO NOT use the sticky foam pads on any blister that hasn't healed. It will rip the skin off and leave your foot in a much worse state than it was in before!!!
Covering (and I mean REALLY covering) your feet in Vaseline is a great blister preventative too but if you don't like the feel of it, give BODYGLIDE a try. I also have it on very good authority that SKINSTRONG is amazing!!! Also remember to stick anything to your feet first before putting on the slippery stuff!!
So there you go! Follow these rules and you can overcome the most horrendous blisters in record time. This is my blister now, just 2 weeks after I got it and 2 days after a half marathon!!!
Hope this helps. Xx
