Breaking News

Brian's half marathon training has come to a screeching halt.  ESPN is reporting that Brian has a blister and may be sidelined until April.

I was able to obtain a picture of this gruesome injury.  
The following picture may not be appropriate for some viewers.  Viewer discretion is advised.

Foot blisters are very common to ATHLETES and people who wear socks everyday. They develop when socks stick to the sweaty skin of the feet. When the feet and socks then rub against each other on the interior walls of the shoes, the outer layers of the feet’s skin separate from their inner layers, and the space between these layers are filled with lymph fluid. This is how foot blisters (running) form.

Foot blisters usually heal on their own. The blister fluid is reabsorbed and disappears. However, there are cases when the blisters pop (by themselves), causing them to become infected. Once redness, red lines, or yellow liquid develops around the blister, medical attention is required.

What are the symptoms of foot blisters

A person developing blisters on foot normally notices some redness over the infected skin, usually on the instep, the back of the heel, or the toes. In time, the redness turns into a balloon-like area filled with fluid.

What causes blisters on foot?

Three things cause foot blisters: moisture, heat and friction. Athletes – especially those who take part in very lengthy sporting events that require walking or running (such as marathons) – are prone to developing blisters.
New shoes that have not yet been broken into and ill-fitting footwear tends to cause blisters, too. Blisters may also be caused by allergic reactions, fungal infections of the skin, burns, and exce
ssive foot perspiration.

Tests and diagnosis

During a consultation, the doctor may ask several questions to make sure that your blisters are under control and to rule out the possibility of Staphylococcal skin syndrome, chicken pox, or erythema multiforme.
Be prepared to answer questions about the history of the blisters (when it started) and its characteristics (size, location, color of liquid), among others. In some cases when the doctor suspects that the cause of the blisters is other than simple athletic activity, more intensive rash examination may be required.

Care for foot blisters

See a doctor to determine if your blister is caused by simple skin rubbing and is not a symptom of a bigger disease.
Most blisters can be self-medicated. Athletes usually apply skin dressing or plaster and tape over the affected area. Covering the blisters with petroleum jelly helps relieve pain. This treatment is temporary, however. Once the petroleum jelly thaws out, you may feel pain again.
Patients are advised to refrain from ‘popping’ their foot blisters especially when it has blood in it, as doing so may infect it even more. Health professionals are more qualified to hygienically create a small hole at the blister’s edge with sterilized needles. They can effectively drain the fluid without removing the skin covering the wound. This layer of skin is very important in healing – it serves as a protective layer for the inner layers and help prevent further infection.
Always clean the area with a sterilizing cloth or wipe. Make it a point to cover the blister wound with a blister plaster. Some people apply tape for added security.