Maybe you didn’t participate in the Ironman Triathlon, but, you’re thinking about Jacey’s Race or the Scenic Half or learning line dancing. Whatever it is that’s pounding your feet can cause blisters. Oh yeah, let’s not forget gardening or hammering fence posts to create havoc with your fingers.

There are lots of medical conditions that can cause blistering. Shingles come to mind. Or they can be caused by spider bites and sunburn, but those aren’t the ones were talking about today. Today we’re looking at your common variety of foot blisters caused by wearing shoes and being active or the friction of using hand tools of some sort.

Blisters are fluid-filled bumps that look like bubbles on the skin, so says WebMD.com, but we already probably knew that. Their website gives a symptom quiz that you can take if you’re concerned that you need medical attention.

Of course, any signs of infection should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, but most often a little tender loving care can get you back to your activities in no time flat.

Let’s start by looking at prevention -- what’s that expression? An ounce is worth a pound of cure? So, work gloves are in order to protect your hands and well-fitting shoes are critical to your feet.

According to Runner’s World, “Choose blister-free socks. Synthetic socks wick moisture away from the skin. Cotton may be lighter, but it retains fluid. Socks with reinforced heels and toes also help reduce friction.” They also recommend wearing two pairs of socks when running, particularly long distances. And make sure your socks fit into your shoes without lots of extra fabric.

As for your shoes, WebMD says that you must be able to wiggle your toes. Since your foot size can vary a half size from morning to afternoon, it’s best to buy shoes at the end of the day. Runner’s World says that “there should be a thumbs width of space between the toes and end of the toe box.”

They also recommend liberally moistening your feet with skin creams and lotions to reduce friction. If you get a blister, don’t wear the shoes or do the activity until it heals. Well, unless you can bandage it or put moleskin on it and continue without pain.

The key to healing is to keep it clean. If the blister is less than an inch across it will usually heal itself. Don’t try to break the blister unless it’s extremely uncomfortable. If it breaks on its own, remember that it can very easily get infected.

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching a blister. If you need to break it, do so with a needle sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Don’t burn the end of the needle to sterilize it that may actually allow carbon into the wound, which isn’t a good thing.

Holding a sterilized gauze or cotton pad at the ready, prick the blister at its edge and then press gently to push out the fluid. Wash the blister and pat it dry. Do not remove the skin unless it tears or gets dirty. Apply an antibiotic ointment liberally and then loosely bandage it. The ointment will prevent the bandage from sticking to it. Change the dressing every day until it heals. Voila!

Watch for any signs of infection which could include increased pain, swelling, redness or warmth around the site. Any drainage of pus, signs of fever or red streaks extending away from blisters are cause to seek immediate medical attention.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or [email protected].