What: A blister is simply a separation of tissues in the outer layer of the skin that becomes fluid-filled. Blisters may occur superficially or deeper within the skin, and are the result of repetitive friction on the skin.

Probably Cause:

• Heat and moisture, thought sometimes unavoidable, make the skin more susceptible to blistering.
  
• Improperly fitted shoes, socks with bulky seams or socks made of materials that don't adequately which moisture away from the skin are common causes of blisters.
  
• Thick callouses may cause irritate of the deeper skin, resulting in a blister below the callous/.
  
• Excessive motion of the foot during walking, as may occur in a walkers whose feet roll inward (pronate) excessively with each step, may be an underlying cause of recurrent blisters.

Prevention:

• Make sure you have at least a half-inch of room beyond your longest toe when fitting walking shoes.
  
• Socks that contain materials with special wicking properties (e.g., Coolmax™) tend to reduce the likelihood of blistering. 100% cotton socks are not a good choice as cotton tends to retain a significant amount of moisture and hold it against the skin surface.
  
• Choose socks that are seamless or have flat seams.
  
• Use a pumice stone after bathing or showering to keep thick callouses under control.

Treatment:

• Leave the roof of a blister intact if possible, since an intact roof makes the blister less painful and less susceptible to infection. You may drain the fluid from a blister while leaving the roof in place.
  
• First, clean the blister well with soap and water. Then, sterilize a needle by heating the tip over a flame until it is red, and allowing the needle to cool. Gently puncture the roof the blister near the edge with the sterilized needle.
  
• After draining the blister, apply an antibiotic ointment and bandaid.
  
• Never apply adhesive moleskin or felt directly over a blister, as this may cause it to enlarge.
  
• A doughnut-shaped pad around a blister or a moist dressing, such as, 2nd Skin®, is often helpful. Seek professional care if redness around the blister or cloudy drainage occurs, or if you feel uncomfortable treating the blister yourself.
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