Sometimes, no matter what you do, a season doesn’t pass without you getting a least one blister. It may be the new pair of shoes you bought for an Alaskan cruise. Or maybe the cause was the cushioned socks that bunched up in your
running or tennis shoes. Whatever the reason, and so often it happens because we get lazy or to busy to take a minute and check the problem,  so that now we have a full blown blister.

If you have a red, sore area where you think a blister might be developing, cover it with a bandage immediately and keep the bandage on as you wear shoes over the next several days. If you develop an actual blister, treat it as soon as you can before a fluid builds up inside. The good news is that you can treat the blister yourself with a few simple steps. (If, however, you are diabetic or have circulation problems, it is always a good idea to see your physician first. )

Take these steps to treat your blister.
1.    Wash your hands well.
2.    Clean the blister are with iodine or alcohol.
3.    Puncture the blister with a needle that you have sterilized by soaking it in alcohol.
4.    Leave the top on the blister. Do not pull off that layer because that will open the raw area to infection.
5.    Apply a topical antiseptic to the blister and the surrounding skin.
6.    Cover the blister with a bandage or piece of sterile gauze taped into place and keep it covered for several days.
7.    If your blister does not heal or is painful make an appointment with a doctor.

To prevent blisters keep your feet dry and powdered and consider inserting a pad in your shoe where the rub took place or giving your shoes away.

If you have any tricks for preventing blisters when you travel, please share them with us. On trips outside the US I always take a package of moleskin. It came in very handy on one trip when my husband’s new walking shoes rubbed the back of his feet raw!

To your success at healthy aging,

Ruthan Brodsky