The City Walker's Guide to Blister Prevention
Whether you’re taking the dog for a stroll around the park or walking to work, there’s nothing that can ruin your daily constitutional like an ill-timed blister. But blisters don’t have to be a fact of life! Follow these simple steps for preventing blisters and enjoy your walk!
- Find shoes that fit!
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many blisters could be prevented simply by wearing shoes that fit. If your shoes are too short, you can easily develop hot-spots on your toes where they are rubbing the front of your shoe. Or, if your shoes are too big or too wide, blisters can form on your heels or under your toes because your feet are moving around too much inside the shoe. When you buy your next pair of shoes, do so from an experienced footwear specialist who can help you find the perfect fit for your foot.
- Invest in good socks
Socks are easy to skimp on or are quite often just an after thought. But when it comes to blister prevention, good socks are one of the key ingredients. Avoid cotton and invest in a few nice pairs of wool or synthetic socks. Wool and synthetic materials wick the moisture away from your skin, reducing that blister-causing friction. We particularly like FITS and Smartwool.
- Moisturize that dry skin
Believe it or not, dry skin is more prone to blisters. Pamper your feet with a pedicure and don’t forget to apply lotion. You can also use eNZees Foot Soother on a daily basis to soothe dry skin. The lanolin found naturally in our wool moisturizes dry skin and can help with corns and calluses.
- Use eNZees Foot Soother!
Carry a MINI in your purse or day-bag in case of emergency. When you begin to develop a hot-spot, simply wrap the wool around your toes or apply to the back of your heel to reduce the friction between your shoe, sock, and skin. The wool will weave into the fibers of your sock, holding it in place. No need for tape or scissors! Simply pull it out like Velcro when you’re done.