Blister Care

BLISTERS are the most common and debilitating backcountry ailments. More backpacking trips end prematurely because of blisters than from any other cause. Blisters usually develop from friction between the boot and the foot during walking. First a red, sore area called a "hot spot" appears. If the rubbing continues, the outer layer of the skin separates from the deeper layer and fluid fills into the space, producing a blister.

PREVENTION

Eliminate as many contributing factors as possible:

* Make sure that shoes fit properly. A shoe that is too tight causes pressure sores; one that is too loose leads to friction blisters.
* Break in new boots gradually before your trip.
* Wear a thin liner sock under a heavier one. Friction will occur between the socks instead of between the boot and the foot.
* Put Vasiline on foot before slipping on a thin nylon undersock.
* Avoid prolonged wetness. It breaks down the skin, predisposing it to blisters. Dry feet regularly and use foot powder.
* Apply moleskin or molefoam to sensitive areas where blisters commonly occur before a hot spot develops.

Hot Spots

Hot spots are sore, red areas of irritation that, if allowed to progress, develop into blisters.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The skin is red and painful at the site, a blister (bubble) is not yet present.

TREATMENT

1. Take a rectangular piece of moleskin or molefoam, which is thicker and somewhat more protective than moleskin, and cut an circular shaped hole in the center the size of the hot spot. It look like a doughnut

2.center the pad over the hotspot making sure the sticky stuff doesn't touch the irritated skin.

3.Tape the foam down to strenghten its hold around area.

Blisters

If the activity which produced the hot spot continues, irritation will lead to a full-blown blister.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

A bubble or pocket of fluid develops over the irritated area. The bubble can be small or quite large, and will eventually break and release clear protective fluid. There is pain and redness at the site. lf the blister becomes infected, it will become more painful, swollen and red and pus will be present at the sight.

TREATMENT OF SMALL OR INTACT BLISTERS

1 .If the blister is small, and still intact, do not puncture or drain it.
2. Place a piece of moleskin or molefoam, with a doughnut cut out slightly larger than the blister, over the site. It should be thick enough to keep the shoe from rubbing against the blister. This may require several layers. Applying tincture of benzoin to the skin around the blister before applying the molefoam will help hold it in place. Secure the pad with tape.

TREATMENT OF LARGE OR RUPTURED BLISTERS

1 .If the bubble is intact, puncture the blister with a clean needle or safety pin at it's base and massage out the fluid. The fluid contains inflammatory juices that can delay healing.
2. Use a small scissors to trim away the loose skin forming the roof of the ruptured blister.
3. Clean the area with an antiseptic towelette or soap and water.
4. Apply an antibiotic ointment or aloe vera gel, and cover with a non-adherent sterile dressing or a gauze pad. Spenco 2nd Skin, or other blister dressings.
5. Place a piece of molefoam, with a hole cut out of it slightly larger than the blister, around the site. Secure everything with tape or a piece of nonwoven adhesive knit dressing. Change the dressing daily or every other day. Applying tincture of benzoin to the skin around the blister before applying the molefoam will help hold it in place.
6. Inspect the wound daily for any sign of infection, such as redness around the wound, swelling, increased pain, or cloudy fluid collecting under the dressing. If infection occurs, remove the dressing to allow drainage. Consult a physician as soon as possible.

Another method is consider if you are far from help without supplies. Or must continue walking.

Drain fluid from blister with a sterilized pin or knife (you can sterilize instruments with alcohol or flame or by boiling several min) and inject a small amount of superglue or tinture of benzoin into the pocket, press the loose skin back down on wound and cover site with tape. This will hurt like heII for a few minutes but will get you going again.

Another way to let a blister drain slowly is to run a sterilized needle and thread through blister leavin the thread running thruogh the blister to act as a wick.

By McGyver