Top tips for preventing blisters
Wear gloves -
One of the most surefire ways to prevent a blister developing is to wear gloves when carrying out a strenuous activity. They act as a buffer and protect your skin from friction.
Keep your hands dry -
Wet or sweaty hands are more likely to develop blisters, because the moisture increases the friction between your skin and whatever instrument you are holding.
Cover problem areas - Be sure to cover the problem area every time you begin your activity. Using a cushioned bandage will protect your skin from whatever you're holding.
Apply petroleum jelly -
Another way to reduce friction is to apply a lubricant, such as petroleum jelly. If you don't have petroleum jelly, any thick skin cream will do the trick.
Avoid irritants -
If you're having an allergic reaction to an irritant, such as perfume or bleach, it's much more likely that your skin will blister, particularly if you already have sensitive skin.
Start slow -
It is important to start slowly with a blister-causing activity, such as digging or gymnastics. The more accustomed your skin is to an activity, the less blister-prone it will be.
Stop if you feel pain -
If you notice any pain while doing a blister-causing activity, it is important that you stop right away. At that point you may be able to prevent a blister from developing.
Don't pop it -
If you do get a blister, and unfortunately they are sometimes unavoidable, the best thing to do is to leave it to heal on its own. Usually it will go away after a week or so.
If you have to pop it -
If you do have to pop a blister, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly first. You should also sterilize both the needle and the blister with rubbing alcohol or iodine.
Wear the right shoes - If you find that you suffer from blisters on your feet, it is likely that you're wearing the wrong shoes.
Wear the right socks -
If you are headed out for some serious blister-inducing activity, you may want to double up on socks. The first layer will absorb moisture and the second will provide a cushion.
Moisturize -
When callouses dry out, they can sometimes cause painful cracks in the skin. To avoid this from happening, you should make sure to keep the area moisturized.
Toughen with tannins -
A pro tip from marathon runners and long-distance walkers is to soak your feet in 10% tannic acid. This helps to toughen the skin and make it less blister-prone.