Blisters can knock you out of an activity for a while but you can treat them so they're not too severe and don't recur. These types of blisters (caused by a sport or regular activity) must be treated differently than 'one-off' blisters.


Steps

1. Keep them clean. Rubbing methylated spirits on your blisters is good to disinfect them but is extremely painful on open blisters.
2. Don't use moisturiser or hand creams as they'll soften the skin, making it worse next time. Pumice stone won't help either.
3. Try using tape or a bandage that will not move against the skin. Using plasters on the blister during the activity can often be ineffective or make it worse by rubbing more.

Tips

• Once the activity is over and you don't want the callouses anymore, you can pick them off slowly or use a pumice stone.
• Urine is a less painful (though arguably less appealing) rubbing method alternative. However, this may be all you have if you are back country.
• If you are a dancer and your blister is caused by the rubbing between your foot and dance shoe, be sure to treat as quickly as possible. You do not want to have your blister re-opened.

Warnings

• Keep your wounds clean - wash with Dettol or similar disinfectant mixture made for personal application.
• If a blister has excessive amounts of fluid draining from it, starts to smell, or becomes red, see a doctor immediately.