Feet blisters: The day after Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — It’s the day after. The long walks under the tropical sun yesterday must already be taking its toll by now. Sunburn, feet blisters… ouch, the feet blisters! The usual realization is, “If I only knew it could result to this!”

Yes, feet blisters are really such a hassle. How could one even get to the bathroom to remedy an equally distressing sunburn in the shower? Or how could one move about to find a remedy for the feet blisters itself?

Perhaps everybody is familiar with blisters and may have had it at one time or another. A blister is a small pocket of fluid that forms on an area of the body. This bubble-like formation can vary in size and can occur for different reasons.

Sunburn can cause a blister, and so can infection with fungus or bacteria, an insect bite, or trauma. Other causes include allergic reaction, chemical exposure (especially to cosmetics or detergents), chickenpox, herpes, and dyshidrotic eczema. Depending on its location, a blister can interfere with normal, everyday tasks. For example, if a person has a blister on his feet, he may have difficulty walkingor standing for long periods of time.

Feet blisters are quite common. It is usually caused by friction. Walking or standing for several hours a day puts pressure on the heels, soles, and toes. The longer one is on his feet during the day, the greater his risk for feet blisters.

Of course, not everyone who walks or stands for long periods develops blisters. On many instances, these fluid-filled bubbles result from poorly fitted shoes. Shoes that fit too tightly or too loosely can rub against the skin. This causes friction, and as a result, fluid builds up underneath the upper layer of skin.

Excessive moisture or perspiration can also trigger these skin bubbles. This is common during warm seasons among athletes, particularly runners. Tiny blisters form when sweat clogs the pores in the feet.

Fortunately, several simple treatments can relieve blister discomfort and lower the risk of repeated blisters. Incidentally, Eric Metcalf shares several ideas, at the website www.everydayhealth.com, for dealing with feet blisters:

Time to Pop

There are times when it’s okay to pop painful blisters to drain the fluid, help them heal, and help the feet feel better.

"If it's a small blister, you can disinfect the area and just pop it and let the fluid drain out. Just disinfect a needle or a pin and pop the blister," says Alan K. Mauser, a podiatrist. "Or you can leave it intact and let the body reabsorb it. If they are very large blisters or if there is evidence of infection, you want to open the blister up and cleanse the area and treat it with a topical antibiotic."

To properly pop and care for a blister: Use soap and water to thoroughly clean hands and the blister. Then, clean off the blister with a little bit of rubbing alcohol or some iodine.Gently rub the blister to see if it will pop. If it does not, consider soaking the blister in warm water for 30 minutes and gently rub again.Rub a little antibiotic ointment on the area, then put a bandage over it.

When Not to Pop

The look of the sore, as well as the individual and cause, can determine the seriousness of a blister.For a person with diabetes who has a blister on the foot, that situation could lead to a foot ulcer, even an infection, explains Timothy C. Ford, DPM, director of the podiatric residency program at Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's HealthCare. If the blister is large enough to cause difficulty walking, the affected person should have it drained by a doctor.

“You want to make sure there's no infection going on and that it's not actually an ulceration that's down to the bone or something like that," adds Dr. Mauser. You needto see the doctor if it's "large or red, or really painful."

If you experience severe redness, swelling, soreness, pus, or even pain at the site of your blister, have it checked out by a doctor. It's probably gotten infected, and may need treatment with antibiotics to clear it up.

Quick Fixes, Long-Term Care

While a blister heals, it's likely to still be sore. To keep oneself comfortable until the pain subsides, some padding may be put on the spot.

To prevent a blister from forming up again, one shall make sure his shoes fit properly and are comfortable. A thick sock that provides extra padding in areas where blisters are common can also help keep the feet blister-free.

But if the blisters won’t stay away, surgery is an option. "If it's a recurrent thing and there is a bony prominence or deformity, you can fix or remove it through surgery," says Mauser.

Paying one’s feet the attention they deserve, choosing the right shoes and socks can help keep feet healthy and blister-free. But if once a blister is there, it must be kept clean and dry – and medical attention shall be sought at the first sign of infection.