Blisters - Don't get rubbed the wrong way

Blisters are caused when there is friction between your skin and some rough surface which causes the top two layers of skin to seperate and the space between them get filled with fluid. Most occur on the feet, the result of ill-fitting shoes or a sudden increase in activity level. They can also appear on the hands after a gripping encounter with a bat, racket, tool or anything else you can get a handle on.

Prevention of Blisters

There is no comfort in blisters. They hurt, annoy and keep you from doing what you do. The best course of action is to prevent them by keeping your skin free of friction.

• Step into the right shoes : While buying a pair of shoes, keep the following points in mind. The shoes should neither be too tight or too loose. There should be atleast a finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Make sure the toe box is high enough for you to wriggle your toes. To protect your heel, make sure the rear of the shoe is cut neither too high nor too low.
• Do the 'last' thing first : Every manufacturer has a template from which they design the shoes. This is called a last. Flip the shoe and draw an imaginary line down the middle. If there is an equal amount of shoe on both sides, it's a straight last. If it is unequal, it is either inflair or outflair. The shape of the last should match the shape of your foot.
• Break them in slowly : Although new shoes should feel comfortable right out of the box, don't wear them for long stretches of time. Instead, wear them an hour or two the first day and increase gradually from there.
• Cover the area : As a precaution with the new shoes, wear a moleskin patch on the area that's vulnerable to blisters. The idea is to transfer friction and pressure to the moleskin rather than your skin.
• Wear the right socks : For athletics, wear dual layer socks. In these socks, the two layers are made of different materials. the part against the skin shunts moisture to the outer layer. This keeps the skin cooler and reduces the friction.
• Get a grip : The same principle applies to prevent blisters on the hands: avoid friction. If you're taking up bowling, biking or a racquet sport, or you're about to use hand tools, wear protective gloves.
• Ease into it gradually : The best way to start a blistering activity is to toughen your skin slowly and gradually. Build up a callus. That is the body's response to repeated friction and pressure. The skin builds up thickness to protect itself.
  

Cure of Blisters
Once you get a blister, three things are essential: maintain comfort, promote healing and prevent infection. Here are some specifics.

• Burst the bubble : The best thing to do is to poke a hole and drain it yourself within the first couple of hours. It will reduce the pressure and let you get back to activity quicker. Popping the blister leaves you vulnerable to infection so it has to be done the right way. Put alcohol on the blister to kill any bacteria that is on it. Heat a pin or needle over a flame and poke a hole on the blister to let the fluid drain. Pierce it a couple of times between the edge and the middle, where the blister is raised by fluid, and be careful not to pierce healthy flesh. Don't remove the roof of the blister - if it is open, dust and dirt can get in. Apply antiseptic and cover it with sterile bandage.
• Get to the source : To prevent a recurrence, check your shoes and socks for points of friction.
• Check your mechanics : If you keep getting blisters, you might have a biomechanical problem. Here is a simple test. Stand normally and start walking in place. Then let your feet stop. Look at the angle of your feet to the line you're walking. If your foot is turned more than 15 degrees, you may have a problem. In which case, it is advisable to see a foot specialist.