Blisters Happen....

OK... plain and simple.... Blisters Happen!

I know, you’re thinking, “I’m not gonna get blisters” or “They have medical at all the pits so I don’t need to pack my own stuff”, well… guess again! You WILL get at least one blister between training and the event! It’s just the way it is! YOU need to be prepared to take care of your feet. (Emphasis on YOU!... even though there are medical personnel on event, you are responsible for you! Learn how to protect your feet and leave the hard cases for the doctors!) Blister packs are very easy to make and you probably have everything you need already in your medicine cabinet.

BLISTER PACK

1. Bandaids – The fabric ones are the best. Make sure they have the good adhesive!

2. Neosporin – The “secret” healer of 3-Day blisters.

3. Moleskin – you may not have this in your medicine cabinet but it’s worth the stroll down the footcare aisle at Walgreens or CVS. Buy the thinner kind.

4. Baby powder – the travel size is perfect. Dry feet = happy feet!

Here are a few other options you may find helpful.

1. Travel size first aid kit – They are 99 cents at Target. The plastic case is worth the price of admission. It can hold everything you need. Plus it comes with some bandaids and antiseptic wipes.

2. Manicure or sewing kit scissors – these are perfect for cutting moleskins as needed.

3. Toe sleeves – Another little wonder that has saved several toes… including mine! Another find in the footcare aisle.

4. Blister bandaids – these are a bit more specialized and are available at pit stops or Walgreens again. Use the Travel First Aid Kit to hold the bandaids, toe sleeves, antiseptic wipes, moleskin and scissors… yes, they will fit. Everything for the Blister Pack will fit nicely in a Quart sized Ziplock bag.

Use the FREEZER type… they are thicker. Now, that you have all the stuff for the Blister Pack, let me share the “3-Day Way to Protect Blisters.”

1. Never POP, lance or drain a blister! NEVER! Why? This is the body’s way of protecting the problem area.

2. Gently clean the top of the blister.

3. Apply Neosporin to the top and cover with a bandaid.

4. If the spot still rubs once you put your shoe back on, add mole skin over the top of the bandaid. If you use moleskin just be aware that you need to leave it on until it’s ready to come off. You may pull skin off… ouch!

5. If you have a large blister or one under your toenail, go to medical. They will lance it and bandage it. 

A prepared walker is a happy walker!  And happy feet make for happy walkers!  My team always giggled at me because of everything I would keep in my fanny pack, including my blister pack... but the things in my fanny pack have saved us all, either on event or during training!  :)

Next week:  Fanny packs!  :)