by Jill Schuman |
May 04, 2017
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You never get blisters! You’ve worn those boots a hundred times! You didn’t even walk that far! But nevertheless, there’s a blister threatening to ruin your hike. Blisters and their precursors, known as hotspots, can occur to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Even if you’re not prone to them, they can still occur under the right circumstances. See what causes blisters and learn how you can prevent them on your next hike, run, or walk!
- Blisters, if you didn’t know, are created when the outer layer of skin separates from the inner layers. The body responds by filling that “pocket” with lymph fluid. The most common cause of this is friction: generally from footwear that doesn’t fit properly. Shoes that are too big or even too small can cause friction. When you’re buying your next pair of hiking, walking, or running shoes be sure to visit a shop that specializes in fit.
- Moisture is another usual suspect when it comes to blisters. Wet skin is significantly more prone to the damage caused by friction, so you should do everything in your power to reduce the moisture around your feet. First, wear socks made of a moisture-wicking fabric such as wool or synthetic materials (no cotton!). Second, you can use lambswool (like eNZees Foot Soother) to further reduce the amount of sweat on your feet. Third, be aware of the temperature and humidity levels. People that live in dry environments (like Colorado!) could develop blisters if they go for a hike in the rainforest.
- It’s race day and your adrenaline is pumping. You’re set to hit a new PR and suddenly you begin to feel a blister under your big toe. What’s up? Running or walking at a faster pace than normal can create blisters even when you don’t normally get them.
- Cold feet can ruin both your wedding day and your hike. Cold weather can cause something known as chilblains - damage to the skin’s capillaries – which in some cases can lead to blisters. If you’re out headed in cold weather, make sure you’re wearing warm boots and socks to protect your feet.
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by Jill Schuman |
October 29, 2016
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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.
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