Leave it to a blister (or a few) to put a serious damper on your serene neighborhood stroll or endorphin-boosting hike. These annoying bumps are caused by repeated rubbing and friction against your skin, which creates “a separation in the layers of the skin that fills with fluid,” Gabriella Vasile, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Réforme Dermatology and Aesthetics in Charleston, South Carolina, tells SELF. While no one’s ever happy when a blister joins the party, they do actually serve a purpose (beyond letting you know you chose the wrong shoes): They protect the skin underneath, preventing an open wound from forming that could become infected.
But that doesn’t mean we have to like them—ouch! We asked dermatologists to share their top tips for choosing blister products that really help block and treat these painful spots. We’re talking bandages that stand up to sweat, socks that prevent chafing, and soothing (non-sticky!) ointments that can soothe those angry buggers. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know while shopping for blister-busting remedies and drop advice from experts on how to use them.
The best way to prevent blisters is by not wearing tight, uncomfortable clothing and shoes that can cause friction, Dr. Vasile says. If you know your shoes tend to rub you the wrong way—but they’re just too cute to relegate to the back of your closet—you can try preemptively applying a petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to your skin so that the offending clothing slides instead of chafes, Dr. Vasile says.
It might sound counterintuitive, but keeping the area dry by applying a powder can also help, especially if you’re sweating a lot, because moist skin is softer and more prone to separation. Another method from Dr. Vasile: Add some sort of padding or bandage to physically create a barrier over the skin (find our favorites below).
How to treat blisters
Once you have a blister, avoid wearing the same clothes or shoes again until it heals, so you don’t cause any further damage. And don’t pop it! Most blisters will heal on their own in a few days, but popping one will lead to an open sore. “We don’t want anything turning into an infection,” Dr. Vasile says, which can look like redness, pain, or swelling. “If that does happen, we definitely recommend contacting your dermatologist and getting seen,” she adds.
If your blister breaks, keep the area clean by washing it with an antibacterial or other gentle soap, Dr. Vasile advises. Then, apply a protective or wound-healing treatment, like an ointment or petroleum jelly, and cover it with a bandage.
Best Bandages: Band-Aid Brand Hydro Seal Adhesive Bandages
Band-Aid
Brand Hydro Seal Adhesive Bandages
Pros
Adds cushioning
Protects wounds while absorbing excess fluid
Stays on well
Waterproof
Cons
Some Amazon reviewers had issues comfortably removing it
These bandages can prevent a blister by adding a barrier to friction-prone areas, but they’ll also help an existing one stay covered (and hopefully infection-free). “It has a slight cushion effect that doesn’t add too much pressure that could trigger blister pain,” one SELF editor says. “What made me love this product more than any other bandage is that it STAYS ON. No matter how much your shoe rubs on the back of your heel, that sucker doesn’t move.” Plus, she swears her blisters heal faster when she wears one of these.
Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, points out that these Band-Aids are waterproof hydrocolloid bandages (like many pimple patches), which means they’ll absorb any fluid that might come out of the blister and can help it heal faster.
Best Tape: Nexcare Blister Prevention Tape
Nexcare
Blister Prevention Tape
Pros
Easy to use anywhere on the body
Adds cushioning
Waterproof
Cons
Some Amazon reviewers say it comes off after hours of wear
Take it from a former ballerina- turned- SELF writer—this adhesive foam tape is the real deal.: “I used to wrap my fourth and fifth toes in it before putting on pointe shoes to keep them from rubbing against each other and the shoes, and it was pretty effective for that purpose. Which is to say, it can definitely hold up in less severe environments than standing on your toes in a box of wood,” she says. “It’s sticky, but not so sticky that it hurts when you peel it off. It’s also stretchy, flexible, and tearable, making it easy to fit it to your toe or foot shape.”
You can also lean on this tape to thwart calluses and blisters on your palms from weightlifting or other activities that are hard on your hands. Another bonus: It’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around or peeling off, even when you start to sweat.
Best Socks: Balega Hidden Comfort Performance No Show Athletic Running Socks
Balega
Hidden Comfort Performance No Show Athletic Running Socks
Pros
Shouldn’t slip down
Very durable
Seamless toes
Comes in a bunch of colors
Cons
Some Amazon reviewers say they’re too thick
Keeping your feet from getting sweaty on a long run or walk is part of the battle when it comes to fending off blisters. These socks are made of a proprietary “Drynamix” material that contains a moisture-wicking yarn, so they’ll draw sweat away from your foot. Plus, they have mesh vents to keep things breezy. “You would think, after running for four hours, that [these socks] would be dripping in sweat, but they’re not,” Jay Spector, DPM, Atlanta-based sport podiatrist, former president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and marathon runner, previously told SELF.
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