Be it the hikers, walkers, or campers, anyone who has ever hit the trails has known something in common – blisters. Long tracks and off roads can cause anything from a shoe bite to a blain, and all sorts of adventurers are well aware of that.

Now if you think it is your shoes, you might want to think otherwise. Even with the most comfortable pair of shoes, a lot of times, your feet cannot cope up with extended walks or hikes. The best way to tackle this sore problem and have a pain-free outdoor experience is to understand what causes the blisters and how you can avoid them.

 

Blisters: Why do they happen?

While you are on a walk down a path, there are three things that come into play when it comes to the health of your feet.  Strain, heat, and moisture. The epidermis, that is the skin of your feet, gets a lot of friction and irritation caused by the constant movement of your shoes. If the footwear has a poor fit, this can become more aggravated. As a result, the heels and toes can form painful blisters.

Some other reasons for foot blisters are wrinkled socks and seams, excessive sweating, wet feet, and leather shoes worn for the first time on a long trail, without breaking them in.

Seemingly Harmless Blisters Can Pose Risks

If you give your feet adequate rest, the blisters slowly heal on their own. A severely bruised blister, however, can prove to be too difficult to ignore. At times, blisters can become messy too and that is when you’d need to see your physician. If you see pus or blood accumulating inside the blister, you must not puncture it. It should be taken care of by a doctor only.  It is generally advised that if you have got a bad bruise, it is time to call off the hiking trip and go home. It is also best to avoid wearing the boots so that the blister does not become worse.

Effective Treatment of Blisters

It is important not to use any hot pack on the blisters. Once you are back home, you can use an ice pack or anything frozen wrapped in a cloth to gently apply on the blister. This allays the pain and helps solidify any serous fluid that has formed inside. A blister pad can come handy when the wounded area is exposed to pressure, such as the heels. Alternatively, a plaster can also be applied. Sometimes, blisters burst away on their own. You do not have to be worried. After draining the fluid, you can apply the blister pad after washing your hands cleanly. A hydrocolloid dressing can be used to cover the burst blisters.

Express Ways to Avoid Blisters on a Long Walking Trip

Socks can get sweaty and hence become coarse and hurt your feet. So, always keep an extra pair of clean socks with you and change the old ones when they seem soiled enough. If your feet sweat a lot, you can use talcum powder for absorbing the extra sweat and minimizing the friction between your heels and the shoes.

 

Also, carry blister pads with you and always apply them on dry skin, when needed. And last but not the least, always give your feet time to rest and breathe by taking off your shoes and using timely breaks.

With these things in mind and the right hiking gear and clothing, your adventure trails would not only be more comfortable, but fun too.