Blister Prevention and Care
- Know what causes blisters: Pressure, heat and moisture are all culprits.
- Prevent blisters from forming: Get good-fitting boots; wear a thin liner sock under your hiking socks and take care of any hot spots right away, covering them with a padded blister bandage, Moleskin or tape.
In this post
What causes blisters while hiking?
Pressure, heat, and moisture are the leading culprits that cause blisters to form on your feet while hiking. By learning to minimize these catalysts, you’ll be able to keep your dogs feeling good and charging down the trail.
Do hiking socks prevent blisters?
Wear Well-Designed Hiking Socks
Your socks should protect your feet from the inside of the boot and should help prevent blisters (by preventing friction). Good hiking socks will wick moisture, fit snug, dry quickly, and have hidden seams.
What is the best blister prevention?
How to prevent and treat blisters
- Protect your feet. To prevent blisters on your feet, wear nylon or moisture-wicking socks.
- Wear the right clothing.
- Consider soft bandages.
- Apply powder or petroleum jelly to problem areas.
- Stop your activity immediately if you experience pain or discomfort, or if your skin turns red.
Can Vaseline prevent blisters?
Use Vaseline
Many blisters are caused by friction, whether that be skin on skin or fabric on skin. By applying a generous amount of Vaseline to any problem areas of the foot (or other part of the body), you will reduce the friction and therefore reduce your risk of developing blisters.
Will wearing 2 pairs of socks prevent blisters?
Wear double layers.
Double-layer socks can prevent blisters by reducing friction and wicking away moisture. 4 Some double layer socks, such as WrightSocks, even come with a no-blister guarantee. You can also wear two pairs of socks, which is a common tactic for hikers.
Should you wear 2 pairs of socks when hiking?
However, wearing two socks can help. The inner sock helps reduce friction with your foot. There is still friction occurring – it is just between the two pairs of socks and not your skin and the sock. The inner sock also helps wick away moisture from the foot.
Are thick or thin socks better for blisters?
A sock that is too thin can also contribute to forming blisters. Look for a medium thickness or light padding. Double-Layer Socks: Double-layer socks prevent blisters by wicking moisture from the inner layer to the outer layer and decreasing friction.
How do you tape your feet before hiking?
Lay the tape down smoothly on the skin, taking care to not get any folds. Wrap the two ends across each other so tape is sticking to tape. Cut off the excess. Tape your feet and toes around the prominent spots where blisters usually occur (big toe, little toe, heel).
Should you pop blisters from hiking?
A common mistake is to remove the overlying skin of the blister. This exposes the underlying skin to possible infection & causes increased pain because raw nerve endings can be exposed. Leave the blister alone! Do not pop, drain, open, or trim your blister—this is the most common cause of infection.
Why do hikers put Vaseline on their feet?
Consider a Quality Lubricant
If you’re prone to chafing, rub your feet and between your toes with Vaseline, A&D or Aquaphor before putting your socks on to help deter hot spots from forming. “One thing every marathoner will tell you is to use Vaseline, whether you’re running or hiking,” Dr. Dobrusin said.
What kind of socks do you need for hiking?
Tightly woven socks with heavy padding provide more and better insulation, warmth, and comfort in winter. Socks with light/medium cushioning are perfect for summer. Merino/synthetic blends and all-synthetic hiking socks work best for hiking and backpacking.
Are sock liners good for hiking?
Yes, sock liners do really work. Whether you choose to wear them alone or with a thicker pair of socks, sock liners are great for hiking in any weather. In hot weather, your feet sweat more. Wearing sock liners helps keep your feet dry and cool, even if it seems counter-intuitive.
Should you cover a blister or let it breathe?
Treating blisters
If the blister does burst, don’t peel off the dead skin. Instead, allow the fluid inside the blister to drain and cover the area with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.
Why do people wear wool socks when hiking?
Wool: Wool is the most popular hiking sock material and the one that our footwear specialists recommend above all others. It regulates temperature well to keep your feet from getting sweaty and it provides cushioning.
Do wool socks prevent blisters?
Socks and Liners
A poor quality sock, such as cotton, will trap heat and moisture against your foot, causing a blister. Wearing a wool sock such as Merino wool and a sock liner, will wick moisture away from your foot, allowing your foot to breath as the heat escapes away.
What socks are best for avoiding blisters?
Avoid cotton socks as these tend to hold moisture next to your skin, which combined with friction causes blisters. Instead, choose a moisture wicking pair of polyester or wool socks like Bridgedale or Smartwool.
What makes a sock anti blister?
BLISTER FREE GUARANTEE
The ‘sock within a sock’ design was introduced to the UK by 1000 Mile over 20 years ago with the very first Original sock. The inner layer stays with the foot as the outer layer moves with the shoe, thus eliminating friction on the skin and protecting your feet from blisters.
What tape prevents blisters?
If you always develop blisters when running or hiking, you can use ZINC OXIDE TAPE or KINESIOLOGY TAPE as a blister tape to prevent blisters from forming. Both tapes work by preventing your shoe or sock from rubbing directly against the skin. ZINC OXIDE TAPE is softer to the touch, so is more comfortable to wear.
Does Vaseline help foot blisters?
Plain petroleum jelly is a favorite among dermatologists for the treatment of wounds. Although the blister itself will act as a covering for the wound, if it happens to break, a person can cover the area with Vaseline and a bandage. This may promote healing of the area.
Can KT tape help prevent blisters?
KT Performance+® Blister Prevention Tape from KT Tape® is the pinnacle in athlete blister prevention care. These premium synthetic non-woven fabric strips are designed to help prevent athlete-related abrasion injuries, such as blisters, chafing, and hot spots*, during the rigors of athletic training and competition.