Shoe Blisters - Pockets of fluids formed in the upper layer of your skin and often caused by a combination of moisture, friction and pressure and when sweat clogs the pores of your feet.

Annoying and painful, blisters are often caused by friction between your socks or shoes rubbing against your skin. Walking, running or standing for several hours through the day puts loads of pressure on the heels, soles, and toes. The longer you are on your feet during the day, the greater your risk for feet blisters. Most blisters have a clear fluid filling (serum), but are at times filled with yellowish discharge (pus) or with blood (blood blisters). The pressure from the fluid stimulates the nerves under your skin and causes the pain. 

CAUSE AND BECAUSE

Shoe Blisters can be caused due to below mentioned reasons:

• Ill-fitting footwear
• Wrinkle in sock
• Friction or irritation
• Uneven pressure distribution below one’s feet
• Heat or sun burn
• Fungal infection
• Excessive Heat and moisture  

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

You can take care of most blisters that occur due to friction yourself. Typically, there is a new layer of skin that is formed underneath the skin, and the fluid filled in the bubble will absorb back into your skin if let to rest.

Listed below are few pointers that could help you in prevention of Shoe blisters:

• Your choice of footwear should be perfectly fitting but with adequate breathing space inside. The foot should feel comfortable in them without any pressure or friction. Shoes that are tight will form blisters under the toe nails or on the tip of the toes.

• Use comfortable and supportive insoles available at most footwear stores and pharmacies. They provide more comfort, support and better overall fit. These removable replacement insoles are made of Neoprene (foam rubber), memory foam, gel filled pads, etc.

• The socks you wear should be well fitted and adequately ventilated in order to expel moisture and perspiration. Few double layered; antifungal or moisture wicking socks also prevent friction burns and blisters.

• Don’t wear the same pair of shoes for several days. Changing over to a different shoe will prevent blisters by ensuring that your feet aren’t always getting rubbed in the same area.

• Keep dirt out of your socks and shoes. Making sure to clear the shoes and socks off sand or any other foreign particle will prevent friction as you walk. Be wary of clearing even small stones stuck in the grooves at the bottom of your shoes. 

• Go for an anti-shoebite gel solution so that the rubbing motion between your skin, socks and shoe is significantly reduced. Formulated products such as SkinEasi comfoot give prolonged protection by adding a protective layer to your skin, helping in creating a sliding motion rather than rubbing. While walking, the effect of formulated lubes will last for 4-5 hours and will need another application post that. 

• Lace up your shoes properly to avoid friction, slippage and irritation to the toe. Your feet tend to swell up as you run, walk, workout or towards end of the day and your shoe lace may need some adjusting to accommodate the situation.

• Remove sweaty socks after your walking/ running/ workout session and clean your feet with alcohol wipes. Rinse thoroughly with water and clean dry with towel.

TREAT IT RIGHT

• Most blisters tend to heal on their own within a week or two. Avoid resuming the activity that caused the blister until healed.

• Covering your blister with specifically created blister patches or with bandage can provide the required protection

• Avoid popping and draining the blister with a needle or any other sharp object, as this could lead to serious complications or infection.

While it's rare for a shoe blister to get infected, it's important to keep a close watch. Get medical help if the problem persists or following symptoms surface:  excessive redness, exuberating pain, pus or red streaks traveling to the nearest lymph node.