As previously mentioned, my first efforts at preventing blisters revolved around supermarket plasters, after which I moved onto zinc oxide tape which is much stickier and cheaper but tends to leak glue into the sock and crinkles up so it’s uncomfortable. With regard to your shoes or boots, make sure they’re comfortable and neither too loose nor too tight. To fit them, you have to position the patch exactly on your insole in the location where it rubs, which is easier said than done. We might have the best walking routes in the entire UK, but if you’re midway on a multi-mile trek through the back of beyond and your feet are crippling you, the whole experience will be nothing short of a disaster. Blisters are most commonly caused by friction, but they can also be caused by heat from burns or sunburn, and when the skin warms up after getting frost bite.

When you’re underway on a long hike your feet are continually subjected to shear forces where the sock or shoe moves across the skin at a sideways angle to the soft tissues underneath. Other signs of an infection are pus under the bubble which is often accompanied by a foul smell, and considerable pain and swelling. I’ve used it in the past and I 100% confirm it actually works as I never suffered with a blister whenever I applied it, and if it wasn’t for the fact that my current boots only give me a wee bit of chafing on the heel which I remedy with Compeed patches, I’d still use these sticks every time I go for a walk (I can’t give it a better recommendation than that). It’s that last point that sees me purchasing new boxes of Ballotte heel protectors every month as they’re great to use with running shoes, but note that your feet will get a wee bit sweaty if you wear them all day and if you use them a lot they’ll start tearing after a week or so.

Unlike Compeed patches which are designed to help with blisters you’ve already developed, their anti-blister stick is designed to stop you getting them in the first place. I’d say the material in these plasters is more durable than Compeed patches but they’re also more noticeable, so if you’re a lady wearing open shoes this probably isn’t the product for you. Think of the heel part of a sock that’s made from silicon but with little holes punched in to allow air to circulate. However, if you’re going to cover your feet with socks and walking boots they’re a great anti-blister option and they work out much cheaper than Compeed patches.

Unfortunately, the raw skin under this bubble of fluid can become very sore to the touch, and if the bubble bursts there is a chance it can become infected. This article is intended for entertainment purposes only and you are advised to consult a medical practitioner for all medical queries. Remember that the fluid that fills the blister bubble keeps infection at bay, so popping it yourself will prevent your body’s natural protection and you could introduce bacteria into the wound. Getting blisters on your feet is one of the biggest annoyances you can have while visiting Scotland.It was useful to experience a condition commonly suffered by many people with diabetes, hypothyroidism and psoriasis, and to have the opportunity to investigate some effective relief. Second, the glue doesn’t last as long as Compeed patches and I generally got two days max use out of them before they peeled off, although in the long run these KT Tape plasters still work out as the cheaper option. Shock absorption ✔ A silicone heel protector provides compression protection for your plantar fasciitis, absorbs shock, and supports the heel for heel pain.

When you feel this hot sensation don’t just power on through the pain but instead stop, apply a plaster, adjust your socks and laces, and if your socks are sweaty make sure you change them out for a fresh pair. It looks a bit like a big lip salve and works like a Pritt Stick where you rotate the bottom and the material pops out of the top.

Each patch has a hard-wearing but very smooth coating so your foot doesn’t suffer from shear friction which is the biggest cause of foot blisters. While I very much appreciate the beauty in some objet d’art pulled from a posh clutch and used to paint a mouth at a restaurant table, it’s the prosaic problem-solvers that excite me most. The socks make your skin wrinkle as if you have had an overlong bath, but also keep it moist, flexible and very much on the mend. An alternative option for socks (but one I haven’t tested so can’t comment too much) is to dust your feet with talcum powder and slip on five-finger running socks which cover each toe like a pair of gloves. That being said, they won’t peel off like plasters and they won’t wear off like anti-blister creams and powders, and they also provide cushioning if you tend to put a lot of impact pressure on your heels.