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Preventing and treating blisters

What is a blister?

Blisters first show up as red and sensitive patches on the skin and can later be developed into a bump filled with clear fluid between the outer layers of skin. It is the body’s protective reaction to pressure or injury.

What causes blisters?

Blisters are caused by friction and intense rubbing against the skin, usually due to friction from socks or shoes which rubs away the top layer of the skin. Blisters on feet commonly occur when you use new or tight shoes, or sandals or high heels without socks. The risk of getting a friction blister increases when your feet are warm and swollen, for example during training, walking or warm weather.

Should you pop a blister?

No. The blister bubble can burst because of rubbing or pressure or be drained from fluid naturally. However, it is recommended to keep the blister bubble intact and not to puncture it intentionally. If the blister is punctured, the risk of getting an infected blister will increase which will delay the healing.

How long do blisters last?

Usually, blisters heal on their own within a week. They can cause pain, especially if you irritate the chafed skin. Hence, it could be wise to cover it with a blister plaster for protection.

How to get rid of blisters?

To prevent or treat already existing blisters you can use a blister plaster. Did you know that there are two different types of blister plasters? Salvequick offers both types of blister plasters that can be used for different purposes. So, how do blister plasters work?

Salvequick’s Blister Prevention in hydrocolloid should be used before the blister has occurred. It protects against pressure and friction and prevents blisters from forming.

Salvequick’s Blister Rescue should be used once you have developed a blister to protect it. The blister plaster has a hydrogel wound pad with lower adhesion which makes it easy to remove without harming the foot blister.

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How to get rid of blisters on feet: Blister Rescue

If you get a blister you should try to minimize pressure and friction and avoid shoes that rub on the blister. Use Salvequick’s Blister Rescue with hydrogel wound pads to protect the blister and to get pressure relief. After you have put on the blister plaster, avoid wearing the shoes or doing the activity that caused the blister until it heals. This advice is especially important for those wondering how to cure blisters on feet fast. Salvequick’s Blister Rescue blister plasters are available in different formats depending on the size of the blister and the location of it:

  • Blister on toe: If you suffer from a blister on your toe you should use a blister plaster that is especially designed for toes such as Salvequick’s Blister Rescue Toes.
  • Blister on heel: If you have blisters on back of heel you can use Salvequick’s Blister Rescue Heels or Blister Rescue XL depending on the size of the blister.

How to prevent blisters on feet: Blister Prevention

Blisters are a result of friction of rubbing on the skin and pressure, and in addition moist skin tends to get blisters more easily. Therefore, the best way to prevent blisters from occurring is to reduce and eliminate potential sources of friction and pressure and keep the feet dry. Also be aware of that the risk of getting blisters increase when the feet are warm and swollen.

1. Use hydrocolloid blister plasters for prevention

Salvequick’s Blister Prevention blister plasters in hydrocolloid helps to protect the skin from friction and relieve from pressure. The sooner you apply a blister plaster, the more effectively you can prevent a blister on foot. Use the plaster on the area where the skin may be exposed to friction. Salvequick’s Blister Prevention blister plasters are available both for toes and heels.

2. Break in new shoes

The best way to avoid getting blisters from your new shoes, is to wear the shoes around the house a few days before you start using the shoes for prolonged times. Take off the shoes before you start to feel pain. In this way you will soften up the shoes and discover exposed areas where the shoes are rubbing on your feet. Use socks when you break in new shoes to protect your skin from friction.

3. Keep the feet dry and clean

If you are going to walk long distances, it is important to use comfortable shoes and to change socks often to keep your feet dry and clean. Double socks can help to reduce friction between your shoes and feet. Use a thin, slick liner sock underneath and then a thicker sock, in for example wool, on top. Make sure that the socks do not wrinkle or make your shoes too tight. Furthermore, you should change socks frequently so that they do not get damp, especially if you have sweaty feet. Do not use cotton socks since they more easily get moist.

How do blisters form?

No blister

To avoid getting a blister you can apply Salvequick’s Blister Prevention to protect your skin.

Hot spot

This stage is brief. When you have a hot spot, it doesn’t last long until the blister starts to form. When you feel a bit of a sting, it’s the tear under the skin’s surface which will start developing into a blister. To prevent it from happening you quickly need to stop the pressure and rubbing on the skin. You can protect the hot spot by covering it with a traditional hydrocolloid blister plaster that relieves from pressure and friction, for example Salvequick’s Blister Prevention.

Roof intact

When the blister is developed it forms a blister pocket filled with fluid between the upper layers of skin. Its’ purpose is to protect and cushion the skin layers below from further damage from pressure and friction, and in addition it helps the wound to heal faster. When a blister has occurred, you should try to minimize pressure and friction. You can protect the blister with a blister plaster especially designed for the protection of existing blisters, for example Salvequick’s Blister Rescue blister plaster.

Roof torn

In this stage it’s important to clean the wound thoroughly and make sure to keep the open blister protected with a blister plaster. This since bacteria easily can enter the open wound and cause an infection. It’s recommended to use a blister plaster with a hydrogel wound pad that protects the blister and easily can be removed without harming it, for example Salvequick’s Blister Rescue. Do not peel off the dead skin on the top of the blister. This skin will fall off naturally once new skin has developed.

Deroofed

The blister becomes deroofed if the skin on the top of the blister is rubbed off or peeled off. If you don’t treat the blister in the former stages and the rubbing on the blister continues, it will result in a deroofed blister. Deroofed blisters are usually more painful and susceptible to infections and take longer time to heal. Ensure you clean the wound thoroughly to avoid infection and put on a blister plaster that is especially designed for existing blisters and has a hydrogel wound pad, for example Blister Rescue.

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