Blisters are pockets of skin filled with fluid. Friction from skin, socks, or shoes can cause blisters between the toes. Blisters are also a symptom of some skin conditions.

Blisters are essentially fluid-filled sacs in the superficial layers of skin that result from heat and friction of, say, a shoe – a runner – rubbing up against the skin and causing irritation.

Blisters can be prevented by staying well hydrated, making sure that you’re wearing well-fitted shoes that are breathable, that have enough room in them to wiggle your toes, but not so much that your heel pops out. Making sure that you have clean, dry socks, and generally comfortable socks and shoes. In treating this condition, often seeing a local massage therapist for muscle tension, a local personal trainer for muscle strength and a physiotherapist for release and conditioning is a good option.  

Just before thinking about treatment, one question that you might ask yourself is whether or not you’re wearing the right shoe, whether it fits your foot well, and whether you’ve given it a chance to be broken in.

In terms of treatment, if you do have a blister, it’s really important to disinfect the area with soap and water, to apply an antibiotic ointment, as well as an adhesive bandage over the site, and make sure that it’s not touching the actual blister but the healthy skin around it.

It’s also really important not to cut the blister or the skin away, as this can lead to infection, but rather to just let it heal on its own. And to make sure that the bandages are replaced daily, and kept clean. And last, it is really important to look for signs of infection. Seeing a local Local Podiatrists can help with any increased redness, swelling, pain, pus, or fever that might accompany this blister.

If you have concerns such as these, or any further questions regarding blisters, please don’t hesitate to contact your local family physician or your shoe specialist.

Presenter: Dr. Larissa Roux, Sports Medicine Physician, Vancouver, BC

Now Health Network Local Practitioners: Local Pedorthist