How to Treat Blister?

So, you've got a blister. Now what? Doctors recommend you try to keep the blister intact. This means no popping -- no matter how tempting it may be. Remember, the blister is there to protect your skin. It guards your injured skin from coming into contact with bacteria and becoming infected. Cover it with a small bandage. If the blister is too big for a standard-sized bandage, cover it with a porous, nonstick gauze that will allow the blister to breathe.

Sometimes, though, a blister may be quite painful and even prohibit you from wearing any shoes at all. If you do need to drain the blister -- and this should be your last resort -- here's how to do it safely. (Please note: If you have poor circulation or diabetes, consult a doctor before self-treating a blister.)

To relieve a painful blister, you should drain the fluid but leave the skin intact. This isn't for the squeamish, we might add.

1.First, wash your hands and the blister with warm water and soap.
2.Swab the blister and area with iodine or rubbing alcohol.
3.Sterilize a clean and sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol.
4.Gently puncture the blister in a few spots near the blister edge. Let the fluid drain (applying very gentle pressure if necessary) and do not remove the overlying skin.
5.Immediately apply an antibiotic ointment to the area and cover with a bandage or gauze.
6.After several days, you can cut away the dead skin using sterilized scissors and tweezers.
7.Apply more ointment and a bandage or gauze.
8.Always call your doctor if you see signs of infection around a blister -- redness, pus, warm skin or increasing pain.

If you're already suffering from a blister, use a bandage or moleskin to protect it. Many brands carry bandages sized and shaped especially for high heeled and strappy shoes. Likewise, if you have a "problem area" that always seems to blister, nip it in the bud and place a moleskin or bandage on the area you're worried about.

Moisture is also big culprit in the formation of blisters. You can keep your feet dry by using powder or, in extreme cases, an anti-perspirant.

If, for whatever reason, you think blisters are unavoidable, try some of these measures. Take a page from runners and hikers. Use petroleum jelly or a similar lubricant wherever you think a blister is likely to form or has already formed. The lubrication will prevent further painful friction.

If your feet are sliding forward in your shoes, causing the shoe to rub against your heel as you walk, try some insoles or heel cushions. These keep your feet firmly in your shoes, eliminating rubbing and friction. Another thing to remember -- nobody's feet are the exact same size. One may be slightly bigger or wider than the other, leading to one normal foot and one blistered foot. Grippy insoles and heel cushions can help alleviate this problem for the ill-fitting foot.