Runners and hikers know all too nicely the ache of dreaded foot blisters. These stinging sores could make strolling an agonizing course of.
Blisters are the results of friction out of your foot rubbing in opposition to your boots or footwear. They will also be attributable to chemical publicity and excessive warmth however normally, foot blisters are from extreme rubbing.
Completely different footwear corporations have tried to fight this with ergonomic boots or socks designed to cut back friction, however the reality is except you’re diligent about taping your ft you’ll get them, even if you’re a seasoned hiker.
Blistering may be painful and if left untreated, might pose a path to an infection. It’s vital to be ready with the suitable data and correct gear.
In fact, generally the most effective drugs is a preventative one. For this reason lots of people pre-tape their ft in hopes to mitigate the possibility of getting blisters.
If you happen to’re unfamiliar with the subject, this text will educate you the professionals and cons of taping your ft to keep away from blisters. This subject is quite common amongst climbing fans.
If you happen to’re skilled within the realm of blistered ft, this may very well be an ideal refresher with some new ideas.
Why Do Your Toes Get Blisters?
Primarily blisters are pockets of fluid within the uppermost layer of pores and skin, usually attributable to extreme rubbing.
Hikers and runners will usually see this occur due to the quantity of friction going down of their footwear.
This doesn’t simply occur with dry ft, although. Moisture build-up between your ft and your socks can also be a prevalent wrongdoer.
One other frequent explanation for friction attributable to moisture is if you full river crossings. As your moist ft hold transferring, blisters will begin to present up faster.
It is a little bit of a facet observe, however don’t pop any blisters which have fashioned anyplace except you might be taping them up or it pops naturally.
Since they’re a bubble of liquid they supply an insulating barrier to the broken pores and skin beneath. For this reason they sting a lot if you pop one.
Popping a blister additionally opens an entryway for an infection, because the wound is now opened.
How To Tape Your Toes To Stop Blisters
Pre-taping your ft might help keep away from potential blistering if the method is finished appropriately.
The great factor about taping your ft (apart from stopping blisters) is that the approach is transferable to make use of on any foot dimension or form.
In fact, the footwear you might be utilizing can also be a consider getting blisters as they should be the suitable form and dimension to your particular foot.
Spot Taping And Space Taping
These are two strategies by which you’ll be able to tape up your foot. Spot taping is extra exact and is designed to maintain a particular spot from rubbing up in opposition to one thing.
Space taping is extra frequent if you’re unsure what spots will rub. While you tape an space it protects a bigger a part of your foot however also can make you sweat extra as a result of your pores and skin can’t breathe.
Pre-Taping Your Foot
Making use of tape to your foot isn’t troublesome to do however there are a few steps to finish earlier than making use of it.
Guarantee the realm that you just’re taping is clear and freed from particles (this is applicable to all elements of the foot). This will likely imply cleansing your foot or going over it with rubbing alcohol and letting it dry.
If you wish to be safe remember to apply an adhesive promoter product earlier than utilizing the precise tape.
Pre-Taping Your Toes
This course of may be finished in two methods, one the place you wrap the person toe in tape and one other the place you apply it between the toes, the place rubbing could occur.
If you happen to’re wrapping the toe in tape attempt to not tape it too tight or you’ll be able to have circulation issues all through the day. You’ll need to use low-friction tape in order that the neighboring toes don’t rub up in opposition to the tape and trigger blisters.
Taping The Aspect Of Your Heel
One other frequent hotspot for pre-taping is the facet of your heel. This a part of the foot experiences loads of friction in opposition to your footwear.
Most individuals will use space taping on this half because it supplies a pleasant layer of safety in opposition to friction.
Benefits
Pre-taping your ft is usually finished when you’re liable to getting blisters, no matter any efforts you try at prevention.
Getting blisters on the path which might be attributable to sweat makes it troublesome to stick the tape to the foot. When pre-taping, the pores and skin is quite a bit drier which makes the tape stick quite a bit higher.
Your taping job can be safer in case you do it forward of time. The adhesion will change into stronger by the subsequent day which supplies it much less of an opportunity to come back off whilst you’re being lively.
The adhesion can be even larger in case you utilized an adhesive enhancer to the realm earlier than taping the foot.
If you happen to’re a runner or hiker, taping up your ft on the go can take up treasured time. Taping up your ft earlier than the exercise can spare you the downtime wanted to correctly tape up your foot.
If you happen to do it incorrectly the primary time you’ll need to spend extra time doing it a second time.
Disadvantages
There may be all the time the possibility of the tape coming undone through the exercise which might trigger undesirable friction.
One other downside may very well be that it’s harder to examine if there’s a blister from the tape with out taking it off, this might require you to use new tape.
Greatest Tapes For The Job
3M is a tape manufacturing firm they usually appear to have the most effective merchandise for a wide range of conditions. Here’s a record of a few of the greatest varieties of tape to get to your ft.
| Tape | Dry Pores and skin Adhesion | Moist Pores and skin Adhesion | Thickness Of Tape | Flexibility of Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Micropore Tape | Good | Poor | Skinny | Rigid |
| Leukotape P. | Good | Poor | Skinny | Semi-Versatile |
| Elastikon Tape | Good (Can fray) | Poor | Thick | Versatile |
| Duct Tape | Good (Can fray on the edges) | It is going to work however could slip off | Thick | Versatile |
If You Know Your Physique, You Know The place To Tape
Doing the taping forward of time permits you to work out all the hotspots in your foot. A hotspot is the place your foot can be rubbing in opposition to your present greater than different elements.
The way in which your foot can rub can be completely different most of the time, which is why it’s good to observe beforehand.
It’s a good suggestion to duct tape your ft earlier than an exercise you probably have new footwear.
You can begin with the same old spots it’s a must to tape after which modify as you go for a hike. Carry further tape with you so as to patch up your ft on the path.
As your physique adjusts to the extent of exercise you’ll be doing, your ft are going to swell up. This will trigger a circulation downside, which may result in damage.
Realizing how your ft will act is vital earlier than pre-taping as you’ll be able to modify the size of the tape to accommodate the swelling in your ft.
Emergency Blister Kits
Most individuals have a primary help package that they hold with them and these are full of loads of generic gadgets that may deal with all kinds of illnesses on the route.
Other than this, it is best to have a bit inside your medkit or a small separate one which handles blisters.
Generally, blisters occur on the ft due to strolling or working. They will additionally type in your arms from doing the identical movement a number of instances.
This happens in issues like chainsawing, firewood processing, and shoveling. Having a blister package ensures you’ll be able to deal with them shortly, and the gadgets in a blister package can be utilized along with your present first-aid setup.
Here’s a record of things that it is best to have in your blister package for emergency use.
- 1 pair of gloves (nitrile works simply tremendous)
- Sterile cotton swabs
- Iodine wipes
- Antibiotic cream
- Sterile Cutiplast dressing
- Oval sterile dressings
- Toe sleeves
- Adhesive enhancer
- Your favourite blister tape
Ultimate Ideas
Blisters are probably the most painful wounds that you may have, particularly if they’re continually rubbing up in opposition to one thing. Preventative measures comparable to pre-taping your foot may be an vital software within the combat in opposition to avoiding blistering ft.
