Foot blisters are common pathology in our active society. Blisters occur due to skin friction or abrasion in the foot or ankle. The body produces fluid beneath the skin and increases in size leading to pain, irritation, and sometimes infection. Blisters can be seen from people wearing ill-fitting shoes, not wearing proper hosiery, athletes prone to over training or “breaking in” new shoes, sweaty feet, allergic reactions, diabetic patients with neuropathic disease, and excessive sandal use. The foot blisters can cause significant symptoms of redness, soreness, large fluid filled “bubbles”, and can lead to more serious problems as ulcerations and infection.
Foot blisters can be prevented and treated by a podiatrist. Keep the feet dry with foot powder and changing socks/ hosiery to reduce moisture. Make sure to “break in” a shoe or custom orthotic to reduce the friction applied from the new device. Smaller blisters may be treated with soaks, topical antibiotic, and bandages. Larger blisters may have to be drained to reduce the fluid pressures and pain in the foot. This may require a visit to a professional podiatrist to reduce risk of infection and ulceration. The podiatrist may prescribe a topical and/or oral antibiotic, soaking regime, custom orthotic to reduce reoccurrence, proper hosiery, and shoe recommendations.
