Blisters -ow!! - Health + Injury

Hels

31/08/2002 at 15:46

I have just come back from a 'long' run, took off my trainers to find 4 huge blisters across the tops of my toes. I now can't get my shoes on nevermind walk or run! Anyone have any good ideas of how to deal with blisters so that I can keep training - plasters don't work!! I am meant to be running the robin hood half marathon in two weeks and am not up to scratch with my training as it is, so can NOT afford to take time out now or I probably won't even make it round!

Scotty.

31/08/2002 at 16:57

Hels,

What I have done in the past is drain them (sterile needle if possible), usually in the evening, then they are pretty much recovered and dry by morning. Before putting on your running shoes, wrap Micropore surgical tape around the affected toes. This is a good plaster substitute (basically thin, sticky 'hypoallergenic' paper). Cover the surgical tape with vaseline around the blistered area. For me this never fails and I still do this by way of blister prevention on long runs. A good amount of talc between the toes is a bonus as well.

If you are not already doing so; try double layered socks.

Do your shoes feel a bit loose in the heel area ? This could be the cause of the problem. If the blisters are being caused by your foot sliding forward in the shoe you may benefit from tightening your laces to ensure that your feet are pushed back snuggly against the heel.

Assuming your shoes are a good fit you will find through trial and error what remedies suit you.

Best of luck with the Half.

Scotty

Hels

31/08/2002 at 19:21

cheers - will definately give it a go once i've found someone brave enough to drain my blister!!! Not something I really fancy myself, but I guess i'd be willing to try if it helps.

Kiwi Helz

29/09/2003 at 08:50

Freaky... I tried to log on as 'Hels' when I joined this forum, but someone already had my name - and now I am inflicted with the same injury as 'Hels'!!! I've got blisters right ont he end of each little toe... painful to say the least, AND a week before my 10k in Cambridge...

David Harrison

16/10/2003 at 10:10

I suffered with blisters on my toes for a long time, but then I found Body Glide, a product from the USA that stays put unlike petroleum jelly and even plasters. I have been blister free now for about two months and just completed the Chicago Marathon without even a hint of a blister, so it really works.

Allyson Robb

11/01/2004 at 17:03

I have been running for a short while now, but have recently increased my distance and am now suffering with blisters on the tips of my toes and down the left side of my right foot. David, interested to know where you buy bodyglide - I'll try anything as I don't want to scupper my runs? Any other tips would be appreciated!!

Xerxes

11/01/2004 at 17:06

Hels/Helz Bells!

billy no mates

11/01/2004 at 20:19

I was about to post regarding blisters as I have one recurring on my left outer heel. Is it wise to apply surgical spirits to the affected area once the blister has been drained? I was under the impression that this toughens the skin up.

Northernbaldy

12/01/2004 at 12:32

I've used surgical spirit in the past even after the blisters have burst.

Somebody suggested to me cleaning my feet once a week with surgical spirit to not only toughen them up but also clean away any bacteria that may cause athletes foot. It has worked for me.

I have also found in the past Compeed plasters really good for blisters as well

Changing my socks from Thorlo to thin Hilly socks to keep my feet coolers on the basis that keeping them cooler must be better than wicking away moisture when they got hot.

PhilP

14/01/2004 at 23:07

I agree much what Northernbaldy says. Surgical spirit works. I used it daily for a couple of weeks - just rubbing the areas gently for a few minutes each day with some cotton wool - and it virtually removed on-going toe blisters. Wouldn't do it to open wounds though - blisters need to heal a bit.
Then use loads of vaseline, good socks and Comspeed when I do get one.

david ash 3

15/01/2004 at 09:38

Hello this is my first time on a forum but i have got to the stage with my blisters that i will try anything. I am training for the London marathon and have had a re occuring blister on both arches of my feet. They have progressively got worse and i really don't know how to keep running. Having read the tips already Body glide sounds good, where can i get some please. Slow Dave

tinkerbelle

01/03/2004 at 20:20

i have been suffering the last couple of weeks with blisters and did the bury 20 yesterday and a beauty of a blood filled blister on the inside of the little toe on my left foot, do i burst it or what.
blister plasters work on the large areas of the foot but not toes. tape does work but where can i get this body glide stuff.
with lfm onlt 7 weeks away and more races coming up i am getting very demotivated.

Jewels

02/03/2004 at 10:05

Try Hilly Marathon Fresh Mono Skin socks. They arent the double layered ones, but they have a lovely line of thicker padding along the tops of the toes, which have helped keep my toes happy.
As for your perma-blister problem on your arches Slow Dave, what shoes do you wear? Me and my running friends all have had this problem with Asics designed for over-pronation. Its gone since my feet got used to them (painful up till then though) and I love the shoes apart from this. The above socks also helped with this. And I have recently discovered X-socks ( www.x-socks.com ), not sure how much of the hyped-up technology they claim to have is true, but they are comfortable, keep your feet cool and grip and pad in all the right places.

Hope your sore feet start to feel better soon!

Laura Holmes 2

03/03/2004 at 10:00

I am glad someone else has the same issue with the Asics! I was starting to think I'd been recommended the wrong shoes! I bought a new pair about 2 weeks ago, along with a pair of blister proof socks and after my run I had two fine shining blisters; the first time since I started running in September!! I've run in my trainers about 3 times since then and the blisters keep reoccurring in the same places. I am desperate to burst them but have heard it's not the best thing, although I will have a go with the surgical spirit definitely. Will check out the x-socks and hope my feet can see it through on sunday for the silverstone half!!

david ash 3

03/03/2004 at 16:47

Message for Laura Holmes, just to let you know that i persevered with the asics trainers and found that they have become a very comfortable shoe. My tip would be to put loads of vaseline on the area that has a blister just before you run, and they should not rub too much. Hopefully this will work as i have also got the half at silverstone. Good luck

jimimac

04/03/2004 at 02:42

Bodyglide is the biz. Have not had a blister since using it in 2 marathons and 6 1/2 marathons. Web address is www.way-side.demon.co. Don`t know how to put the web address in as a link. Perhaps some forumite may help me.

jimimac

04/03/2004 at 02:44

Sorry---- www.way-side.demon.co.uk
Forgot about the uk

Matt.

04/03/2004 at 11:34

Jewels, How long did it take for your feet to get used the Asics shoes? I bought my first pair of Asics six weeks ago and I now have a large blister under the arch of both feet. I've been using Compeed which do the trick, but I have done over 100 miles in them now and one blister only developed a couple of weeks ago. I was planning to run the London Marathon in them, but if the blisters continue I might have to think again!

Neal.

05/03/2004 at 17:29

Compeed Plasters = God! I ran 17 miles with a blister after patching it up with a compeed before I went out...no probs!

Jewels

05/03/2004 at 18:39

I cant remember how long exactly it took to get used to the Asics Matt, but it was a few months. I was using compeed and covering it with strapping tape to stop slippage (I always lose compeed off my feet after a couple of hours running). I have recently found the Sorbathane equivilant to Compeed to be fantastic too, and slightly more sticky around the edges. I think the key to it all is to look at the socks you are wearing. I wear different socks depending on the running shoes I am wearing...it really does make a difference to blisters. I guess because the shoes grip my feet differently depending on the terrain they are designed to cover, so it makes sense that this would alter the places I needed the sock to grip in. Its all trial and error.
If you are still getting blisters from the shoes with a couple of months to go until London I would consider wearing different shoes. If you get a new blister at the beginning of the marathon its going to hurt. I had a rubbing ankle support on to do just 12 miles last weekend, and by the end of the race it looked as though I had rubbed away half my heel...not pretty and very sore. Wouldn't fancy that experience over 26 miles!
Best of luck!