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johnsmcjohn
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13 Aug 2011, 4:07 am

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have had to walk more in the last week than I have in the last 10 years. My feet have blisters the size of quarters and are throbbing with pain. Any tips to make the journey more tolerable?(and no, I can't get a car(yet) and I can't go to the doctor. No insurance and I can't afford the deductible at the community clinic.) Thanks. Walk on.



auntblabby
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13 Aug 2011, 4:57 am

by all means necessary let your feet heal first before you do any more walking. sometimes it is unavoidable that the world must wait. thoroughly wash your feet, trim the loose skin from the blisters as best you can with a pair of cuticle scissors, apply bacitracin ointment to the blister, bandage up with nonstick bandaids, keep off of feet as much as possible. unless you're diabetic, it should heal up within a few days. when feet are healed up, wear shoes with adequate padding that are not too small for your feet. there are generic versions of dr. scholl's foot pads which are somewhat cheaper and just as comfortable, they are a must. wear thick socks also. keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.



johnsmcjohn
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13 Aug 2011, 6:09 am

Should I pop the blisters or let them be?



auntblabby
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13 Aug 2011, 6:40 am

it has been my own experience, that a blister that is unpopped doesn't stay that way for long, when one is on one's feet and moving about. i found that if i left my blister undrained and hanging there, any movement or friction on my feet would cause the ballooned-out tissue of the blister to tear and bleed, so that is why when i got blisters, if they were large i'd drain them with a cuticle scissor [sterilize the scissor tips first with 90% alcohol, dry promptly] then cut away the torn tissue before it could catch on anything and tear. but blisters of your size are a judgement call, as to whether or not to cut away that much tissue. i have done so for myself, then used bacitracin and a large non-stick bandage/petrolatum gauze to cover it, and then i rested my feet for a few days. you may want to just lance the base and drain the fluid out, leaving the roof intact in the theory that it will protect the damaged tissue underneath, but i've also heard that the blister roof left intact is a breeding ground for bacteria, that the tissue needs to be exposed to drain fluids. your call. either way, the blistered tissue needs to be clean and bandaged with bacitracin and rested. some people use moleskin, they cut a hole in the moleskin so the blistered area rests in the moleskin and the adhesive sticks to the skin around the wound, stabilizing it so it can heal more quickly. check the area daily for signs of infection such as redness/streaking.



qvasi
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13 Aug 2011, 6:49 am

johnsmcjohn wrote:
Should I pop the blisters or let them be?


You should not puncture the blisters; unless you really have to move, and they're to big to move without doing it.
Puncturing blisters opens up your skin to infections and further irritation, but in a critical situation being able to walk may be more important than a possible infection. But since you obviously have internet access, you're probably not lost in the jungle, and you're probably better off resting some days until it's better; or get medical attention if it gets infected.

Infections *can* be deadly if not treated, but it is usually easily treated and I think free medical services will treat it even without insurance, because it would be considered first aid (but I'm from Norway where medical care is free* anyway, so I don't really know...).

(* hospitals are completely free, doctors have a small symbolic fee some 100 NOK (or about 20 USD), but for some reason dental care is not...)



nick007
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13 Aug 2011, 12:29 pm

This is probably obvious but I would suggest getting some good comfortable shoes & insoles for em that are designed for lots of walking


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FearOfMusic
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13 Aug 2011, 4:07 pm

Don't pop them, I would just tape them up or something. To look on the bright side though, when the blisters start to heal your feet will be tougher and more able to handle large amounts of walking. Try also wearing thicker socks or switch between different pairs of shoes on different days.


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curlyfry
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13 Aug 2011, 6:18 pm

Shoes designed for walking are not meant for everyones feet. I had some but couldn't tell the difference from my cheap ones. I have wide feet and am flat footed also and have only been happy with doc martins. If you don't have thick socks or can't afford them just wear two pairs. I have to do that when I have to wear cowboy boots but no blisters.