5 Ways To Avoid Blisters (and the Best Way To Treat Them)

There’s nothing quite like a pair of new kicks … and unfortunately, there’s also nothing quite like the dread of breaking them in.

Blisters, painful and fluid-filled, can be the scourge of new shoe wearers. But they’re just one of your body’s many ways of trying to look out for you. They form to protect irritated skin.

But is there any way to prevent them from cropping up? And what can you do about them once they make an appearance? Foot specialist Georgeanne Botek, DPM, explains how to prevent blisters on your feet and what to do if you already have them.

How to prevent blisters on your feet

While blisters can have many causes, the most common reason is friction — the force of two surfaces rubbing against each other. In this case, the surfaces are your shoes and your skin. The repeated friction of walking causes your top layer of skin to weaken and start to separate from the layers beneath it.

There are other types of blisters, too, like those caused by minor burns, blood blisters from pinching or crushing injuries to your skin and those from medical conditions. But in this case, we’re specifically talking about shoe-induced blisters on your toes and feet.

“The best way to deal with blisters is to avoid them in the first place,” Dr. Botek says. She offers five ways to keep blisters at bay.

1. Wear shoes that fit

There are lots of reasons to wear properly fitted shoes, and here’s another one to add to the list. Wearing shoes that are too big or too small can encourage extra friction, which means an extra chance of blisters.

“Any shoe that doesn’t fit well can result in skin irritation,” Dr. Botek warns. Plus, your feet can change in width or size as you age, so be sure your shoes change in size to accommodate them.

2. Choose the right shoes for the activities you’re doing

If you’ve ever shopped for sneakers and wondered why there are so many kinds, consider this: Different types of shoes are made for different activities, and wearing the wrong ones can put you at risk for serious injuries — and, yes, blisters.

If you’re taking part in an athletic activity that calls for specialized footwear (like boxing, cycling, hiking and running), wearing the right shoes helps keep your feet safe.

And the same is true for walking. Whether you’re walking to work or wandering around a new city on vacation, try walking shoes rather than slip-on sneakers and unsupportive sandals.

3. Break in new shoes ahead of time

You’re itching to wear those new shoes out in the world, but patience is a virtue. And it can go a long way in preventing blisters.

“Break shoes in slowly before you wear them for long periods of time,” Dr. Botek advises. “This is true for dress shoes, high-heeled shoes and boots, as well as for any shoes that you’ll wear for athletic activities like running, accelerating, quick stopping and jumping.”

Ease into your new shoes by wearing them indoors in short spurts. Put a bandage or a bit of petroleum jelly (like Vaseline®) on any spots where they’re rubbing or irritating your skin.

4. Keep feet dry

“If you tend to have sweaty feet, you’re going to be more prone to blisters,” Dr. Botek says. She suggests applying a drying agent to your feet before you work out, play sports or do anything else that might make you sweat.

Drying agents that can help with sweaty feet include:

• Aluminum chloride.
• Corn starch.
• Talc-free foot powder.

“You can even apply a drying agent the night before to help prevent overly sweaty feet throughout the day,” she adds.

5. Wear socks with your shoes

Wearing socks helps keep your feet dry and reduces friction, which keeps blisters from forming. But choosing the right type of socks is key.

• Wear moisture-wicking socks. “Choose breathable socks that hold their shape and wick the moisture from your skin,” Dr. Botek recommends, “especially for athletic activities where you’re likely to sweat.” Synthetic socks are often preferred over all-cotton, which can trap moisture and make things sweatier.
• Watch your seams. You could develop blisters if the seams of your socks rub your skin at an uncomfortable angle. If you experience this problem, look for seamless socks, like those specially designed for runners.
• Bring an extra pair. Stash another pair in your bag or your car, just in case you get sweaty and need to make a quick change.

Bonus tip: Prevent blisters on your hands

Your feet aren’t the only spot where blisters can develop. To keep your hands and fingers blister-free, Dr. Botek recommends wearing gloves for activities like raking, shoveling, moving heavy objects and lifting weights.

“Wash your hands frequently and use a towel to be sure that your hands are dry, which will help you prevent blisters,” she says. “Even playing video games or other repetitive motions for extended periods of time can give you blisters, too, so just be aware of the onset of redness, drainage or sweating and pain.”

How to treat foot blisters

Ugh, bad news: You’re reading this after you’ve already gotten a blister. Now what?

“You can take care of most blisters that occur because of friction or minor burns yourself,” Dr. Botek says.

They typically go away on their own within a week or two — but in the meantime, here are the best ways to care for it so that you can heal ASAP.

If it doesn’t hurt, don’t pop it

The most common type of blister you get from shoes is called a sterile blister — the kind filled with a clear, watery liquid called serum (or, sometimes, with clear plasma).

“Typically, new skin forms underneath the skin, and that fluid will absorb back into your skin,” Dr. Botek explains. “So, as long as it’s not painful, the general rule is not to pop it.”

Think of a blister as your body’s own form of bandage: It’s there to keep your skin safe! So, try to keep your hands off and let your body do its thing. (Plus, popping it can raise your risk of infection.)

If you must pop it, do so very carefully

If your sterile blister is painful, Dr. Botek recommends opening one of the edges of the blister — not the center — and leaving the outer layer intact. Follow best practices for popping a blister safely and sterilely.

“After you open it, keep the area as clean as possible to prevent infections,” Dr. Botek states. “Topical ointments like iodine or other over-the-counter topical antibiotic products can help keep it clean while it’s healing.”

Keep the blister covered and change the bandage regularly.

Know the signs of an infection

If you pop a blister and the liquid that drains is clear, that’s the sign of a sterile blister. Liquid that’s white or milky yellow is a sign of infection.

“You don’t necessarily need oral antibiotics at that point,” Dr. Botek clarifies, “but you should be more diligent in wound care, using over-the-counter antimicrobial topical wound gels and monitoring it closely in case it does need medical treatment.”

When to see a doctor

If a blister becomes an infection and gets worse instead of improving, it’s time to seek medical treatment.

“If the blister worsens or if the drainage persists even after you’ve drained the blister, seek out a physician’s care,” Dr. Botek advises. Other signs of infection include:

• Swelling and redness.
• Tenderness or pain.
• Warm skin around the wound.
• A bad smell.
• Pus.

If your wound doesn’t seem to be healing and you notice red or purplish streaks on your skin, seek emergency care immediately. This is a sign of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that can quickly become life-threatening.

Blisters and diabetes: Take extra caution

In people with diabetes, even a small blister can lead to a more serious wound, especially if you have risk factors like:

• Loss of feeling.
• Poor circulation.
• Unmanaged blood glucose.

“If you have a blister and any of these conditions, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider more urgently,” Dr. Botek emphasizes.