Painful Blisters On Your Feet

Excessive pressure and rubbing from your footwear can cause painful blisters to develop on your feet. Your inflamed skin responds to the pressure caused by poorly fitting shoes and repetitive motions from exercise, work, and sports by secreting fluid under the surface layers to help soothe the inflammation. You can avoid many instances of blister formation by wearing shoes that fit correctly with orthotics and treating hotspots before they worsen.

PREVENT AND TREAT BLISTERS

To help prevent rubbing and formation of blisters:

  • Proper fitted shoes: Poorly fitting shoes that are too tight or too worn often cause friction and rubbing, leading to blisters. A computerized gait analysis will determine if you have any pronation problems. Wearing shoes with a wide toe box will help prevent rubbing and blister formation on deformities like hammertoes and bunions.

  • Protect “hot spots” with pads and custom molded orthotic inserts: Check your feet for red, inflamed skin and use moleskin pads to isolate these hot spots from further rubbing. Orthotic inserts can also shift pressure away from problem areas.

To treat an existing blister:

  • Pre-clean and sterilize: Disinfect the blistered skin with a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

  • Carefully drain the fluid: Sterilize a pin or needle and carefully insert it into the edge of the blister. Remove the needle and then carefully press and slowly drain the fluid out of the blister, trying not to damage the skin.

  • Sterilize and cover the area: Sterilize again and cover the area with a sterile bandage or Band-Aid.

If you are experiencing painful problems with blister formation on your feet, see our trusted podiatrists for the proper care. Contact Valley Stream Podiatry, located in Valley Stream, NY. With access to leading edge technologies, Dr. Andrew Shapiro, Dr. Michael Barkin and Dr. Sajni Shah can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, sports injuries, hammertoe, bunions, ingrown or fungal toenails, and plantar warts. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today.

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