THE TENDER TRAP
Painful blisters can ruin the day but they can be avoided. Here’s the way toward happier wandering.
You’re all kitted up, map in hand, rucksack shouldered and eager for a ling day in the fresh air. But no sooner have you covered the first mile when a tender spot on your foot begins to make its presence felt. A mile later and your limping.
Blisters are the bane of every walker. Most of us have suffered the odd one or two, and they can be sheer agony. If you’ve been lucky so far then there’s always the possibility that those new boots might induce one of those niggling sore spots.
Rather than just knowing how to treat a blister it’s better really to think in terms of prevention rather than cure. Many blisters are easily avoided.
First consider your boots. If they are too tight then they will rub against your skin. Too loose, then your feet will slip back and forwards resulting in friction certain to lead to a blister. Likewise a boot that is too narrow or too wide can encourage blisters. The golden rule is to take your time when trying on new boots in the shop. If they don’t fit then they won’t on the fells. And don’t forget to try them on with your rambling socks. Depending on the suppleness of the leather some breaking-in of new boots may be required to enable them to mould to the contours of the feet. Wear them around the house and on short, local walks, but most lightweight leather or fabric boots require minimal breaking in. Buying the heaviest pair of boots is asking for trouble when your goal is the grassy slopes of a nearby hill rather than the Himalayas. Do make sure that your heel is snugly in the boot and that your toes can move slightly forward to help when going downhill.
What socks do you wear for your country walks? 100 per cent nylon ones are abrasive, sticky when hot and next to useless when soaked. Look for a mainly woollen sock with flat-linked seams around the toes. It is important that socks, like boots, should be the correct size. If socks are too tight they cause pressure and interfere with circulation. If too loose they wrinkle and may cause blisters.
Many new walkers have soft skin on their feet which can be toughened up by applying a little surgical spirit. And don’t attempt too many miles initially. Gradually build up distances until your stamina and your feet can cope.
If you end up with a blister and want to continue walking in some degree of comfort then it’s essential to take action as soon as you feel the discomfort. A small blister can be left alone or covered with moleskin or Spenco Adhesive Knit as it is sterile as long as the skin isn’t broken. Large, painful blisters should be carefully treated. Sterilise a needle in hot water. Wash the blister with antiseptic liquid, then make a small incision to allow the fluid out. Don’t remove the top, it will fall off when it’s ready. Use cotton wool to absorb the contents of the blister. There should be no pain involved since blistered skin is not connected to nerve endings. When the draining is complete clean the sore spot with antiseptic. Don’t be tempted to put ointment on the sore as blisters need to dry out. Cover it, not with a plaster but with a gauze patch and tape the edges down. At night remove this dressing to allow air in. When healed up protect the damaged area, especially on your next country stroll!
Apart from clean, well-fitting socks and correctly sized footwear, what else can be done to reduce the risk of falling foul of a blister?
After washing and frying feet apply some powder – Scholl’s Foot Powder is excellent. This reduces friction and therefore protects against blistering. On hot days a drop of powder inside your socks will help too. Runners often apply a small amount of Vaseline before training and racing and this may work for you as well. Never walk in worn socks, or darned ones.
Keep your boots supple by occasionally treating with Liquid Nikwax both inside and out. Boots that become stiff and hard will obviously take it out on the thing nearest them – and that’s your tender feet, so spend some time keeping your boots up to scratch.
Blistering can easily occur on any knobbly part which is likely to rub against your boot. Hammer toes are likely to blister on top or at the tip if the toe box is not deep enough so be careful to look for this when buying new ones. Cover any potential areas of blistering, you’ll soon identify the danger areas, with moleskin or Spenco Adhesive Knit before a walk.
If blisters on the arch or ball of the foot are common then remove the existing insole from your boots and replace with a Spenco or Sorbothane model which reduces friction.
A useful buy is the Spenco Blister Kit which contains an assortment of things for preventing, protecting and treating more blisters than you’re likely to suffer in a lifetime.
Blister Beaters