Every athlete is familiar with the sensation. Some point on your foot begins to feel sore and uncomfortable, until the spot is burning in pain and you have a hard time continuing your activities. Blisters have a way of making sure you notice them forming on your feet. The worse they get, the harder it is to walk. You skin doesn’t have to control your life, however. You can protect your feet and eliminate the sores so you can return to your activities pain-free.

What Is a Blister and Why Did I Get It?

Painful foot blistersBlisters are raised, fluid-filled bumps in the top layers of skin. They develop when those outer layers absorb damage. The affected area fills with fluid to protect the deeper tissues. The bump can be quite painful to the touch, which can make wearing shoes uncomfortable. Though not dangerous on their own, you shouldn’t try to ignore pain from a blister. The sores open your body to infection, so they do need to be covered right away. If you have a condition that compromises your immune system, like diabetes, this is especially important. You have a much higher chance of these small spots becoming dangerous ulcers without expert care.

These bumps have many possible causes, but the most common is pressure and friction. Your shoes and socks can rub against your skin enough to harm the outer layers. Active people like athletes are particularly prone to these, though any shoes that squeeze and rub your feet can cause problems. Shoes that don’t fit well, along with strenuous activity, create that friction and damage the skin. There are other causes for blisters as well, such as burns, extreme cold, a hard pinch, and spider bites. Some diseases also cause similar skin damage.

How Do I Treat It?

Treating blisters doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is necessary. The most important step you can take to prevent worse damage is to eliminate the friction against that area of skin. You will need to cover the spot with a bandage. If the outer layers are still intact and not too painful, do your best to leave them alone. Gently clean the area and then cover it with a bandage or padding. If the sore has “popped” and drained of fluid already, leave the damaged skin in place. You will need to gently clean the area and cover it. You should also avoid the shoes that caused the original problem until your skin heals if at all possible.

If the sore is extremely painful or seems to be infected, don’t try to handle its care on your own. You will need medication and experienced treatment to keep the infection from getting worse. If you’re diabetic or have another condition that lowers your immune system response, you shouldn’t try to treat any sores on your own. You risk serious complications. Dr. Noah Levine will need to examine the spot to make sure no additional damage has occurred, as well as prevent infection. Even if you aren’t diabetic, consulting with the experts at Absolute Foot Care Specialists can help prevent future problems. Faulty biomechanics put your foot at risk for damage from your shoes, so if you continually get blisters in the same area, you should have that evaluated.

Blisters are uncomfortable, though common, skin conditions. Though they can make it difficult to wear shoes and walk around, they don’t have to keep you from doing the sports and other activities that you love. With a little care, you can protect the damaged skin and allow the sore to heal. You should never just ignore damage to your skin. Instead of allowing the problem to get worse and possibly infected, seek treatment from the experts at Absolute Foot Care Specialists. Call (702) 839-2010 or visit the website contact page to reach us.