You have a blister on your heel and wonder: What helps against it and how do I get rid of it quickly? Here is everything you need to know!
This year, the vacation for many is a little different. Instead of lying by the sea, very many spend their days off actively in the mountains. What there is not long in coming: A blister on the heel.
That can be quite painful. I speak from experience.
But the good thing is: you can do something about it, and you can do it before the blister develops and even if you already have a blister on your heel.
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Nice weather today, isn't it? Off to the mountain. The cool air is really good for you.
But already after the first 30 minutes you notice that your shoes rub. From step to step it becomes more uncomfortable and even starts to burn.
The blister on the heel says hello and can no longer be stopped.
Why a blister appears on the heel
No matter where a blister appears on the foot, the process is always the same. Blisters occur when a skin area is subjected to too much stress and is not used to it.
Shoes that we have not worn often are often to blame. Especially very newly bought hiking boots like to leave blisters on heels or toes.
If shoes or socks rub against the heel for a long time, the top layer of skin separates from the bottom layer.
A small cavity now forms at this exact location, into which tissue fluid flows.
The skin bulges and you have the salad.
This is how high your calorie consumption really is when hiking!
The deeper the blister, the more painful it is and at the same time it takes much longer to heal.
And why exactly at the heel? Well, this is where a lot of hiking shoes fit very tightly. From our everyday footwear, we are not accustomed to such a tight fit of the shoes.
By the way, the blister can also develop on only one side. So I often have problems on the left heel, while everything fits on the right.
But what advantage does the blister actually have? In the place where you now have a blister, a callus will soon form. This is a piece of very hard skin that protects you against future stress.
So you won't always get a blister on your heel. After a few hiking tours, the body should have adjusted to this.
How to properly treat a blister on the heel
The skin layer over the blister is very thin and sensitive. It tears very quickly. But what is better: open the bladder or leave it alone?
During the hike
If you are still walking and feel a blister developing, take a break immediately. First see if a slipped sock could be responsible.
Is the skin on the heel already red? Then stick a blister plaster on the affected area.
Remember one thing: never go hiking without a blister patch.
I recommend you Compeed plaster*. I've already tested a few blister plasters and many of them come off very quickly, which is particularly annoying if you want to carry on walking. At Shopapotheke you can get a mix pack of three different sizes. So Blister plaster for heel*, toes and other areas. They are practically packed, light, small and fit in any rucksack. And they will make your hike much more comfortable.
Blister plasters are equipped with a special gel pad, it protects the affected area from pressure and the pain disappears almost completely.
And: The gel of the plaster allows the wound to heal particularly quickly. The reason for this is the moist environment that is created between the gel pad and the skin.
Do not tear or prick the blister on the heel when you are still on the road. It will otherwise become inflamed!
You are just starting with hiking? Here's what you need to watch out for!
Care for the open bladder at home
You had a blister plaster with you? Very well. Then leave it on the blister for at least 3 days.
You did not have one at hand and have a Open bubble? With an open blister, the tissue water leaks out. You have an open wound. It can now happen very quickly that germs get into the wound and the blister becomes inflamed.
Therefore, it is now important that you clean the bladder. Apply a disinfecting cream.
Then tape the blister with a blister plaster. Alternatively, you can also use a firm and breathable plaster.
To pop a bubble or not
You should only prick blisters that are superficial. From deep-seated blisters on the heel or toes you must keep your hands off!
Before you open the blister, you can apply an ice pack. This will relieve the swelling, redness and pain for a while.
Basically, blisters do not need to be punctured. They disappear on their own. New skin forms under the affected area and the tissue fluid is broken down.
However, it can speed up the healing process if you spread the blister. But: Be very careful with it, otherwise you risk bad inflammations!
- Wash your hands thoroughly. Take a needle and disinfect it.
- Prick with the needle two no holes in the bubble
- Squeeze bubble very gently to allow all the water to drain out.
- Allow the skin to dry before proceeding.
- Apply a wound cream. Important: Thin! Wait at least 10 minutes.
- Tape the blister with a blister plaster.
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How often you need to take care of the blister on the heel
Now that the patch is on, you're probably wondering if you need to change it, and if so, how often?
It depends on what kind of patch you use. Is it a special blister plaster, a normal plaster? And then there is the question: Is it a closed blister or an open one?
If you have used a normal plaster, you must change it at the latest when there is blister fluid, water or dirt on the plaster. You should also change the patch after showering. So 2x per day can be quite possible. Conventional plasters are not suitable for open blisters.
If you decide to use a blister patch, the process is a bit easier. You don't have to change it until it starts to come loose. Or when so much blister fluid forms that it reaches the edge of the patch.
If you have applied a blister patch to a closed blister, leave it in place until it comes off on its own.
When you should go to the doctor with the bladder
It may be that the closed bladder has already become inflamed. You will notice that the fluid is cloudy and smells unpleasant.
In such a case, you should leave it alone and go to your family doctor. Also, if an open bladder has become very inflamed, it is a case for the doctor.
You should be especially careful if you have diabetes. Wounds heal worse in diabetics and diabetes can cause nerve damage.
How you can prevent a blister on the foot
In the best case, the bubble does not develop at all. Then you don't have to worry about it later. Here are a few tips that can help you prevent it.
Make sure your shoes fit well. No matter whether it is hiking boots, pumps or sneakers. Hiking shoes should not be too tight, because otherwise you will get blisters on your toes when going downhill.
Make sure you have good socks. Buy 1-2 pairs of hiking socks. The difference is enormous. It is important that the socks do not wrinkle, either at the feet or at the ankle. Go for sports or hiking socks that have no seams at the toes. This will prevent pressure points.
New shoes are the main trigger for a blister on the heel. Break them in first on smaller tours before you start a big tour with them. This way your feet get used to them.
Treat new shoes at the typical pressure points inside with a deer tallow pencil, this lowers the friction. Alternatively, it also makes a little Vaseline*.
If you are prone to heel blisters, you can tape the area with a blister plaster or tape in advance. This creates an additional protective layer on your skin.
Our conclusion
Act immediately if you notice that a blister is forming on your heel. If you treat the affected area with a special blister plaster, you will probably arrive at your destination without a blister. Remember, this is a wound that you should take care of to prevent inflammation.
All the best for you!
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