Large blisters on feet Blisters on the feet can be not only painful but debilitating, so follow these steps for treatment. The best solution is to prevent blisters from forming in the first place, but if that isn't possible, here is how you can treat and feel the blisters on your feet.


Steps
Early Treatment of Pre-Blister Hot Spots

1. Know that blisters often develop when faced with friction, heat, dirt (which creates friction) and moisture. These effects often happen when hiking especially with inappropriate hiking socks or boots.
2. Follow the steps used to prevent blisters.
3. Remove the hiking boot or uncomfortable shoes that might be causing the warm spot which will soon become a blister. Try to let your feet cool down and dry out.
4. If you keep walking, cover the area with moleskin, bandages or even duct tape. Anything to reduce the heat and friction on the area which might become a blister.

Treating a Formed Foot Blister

1. Clean around the area of the blister with warm water and soap. Consider adding anti-bacterial ointment.
2. Decide if you want to let the blister heal by itself or whether you want to drain it. As a general rule of thumb, if the blister is not making walking painful, then you should let it heal by itself.
3. Drain the blister if it is impractical to let it heal otherwise:
   • Sterilize a needle with alcohol and boiling water.
   • (Insert the needle at the side and base of the blister and allow all the liquid to drain. , and carefully insert at the edge of the blister and allow it to drain.
   • Do not remove the loose skin that covers a blister, as this opens it to infection.
   • Cover the blistered area with a plaster, mole skin or other protective cover. Try to avoid placing the cover on any forming new skin which will initially be tender.e
4. Allow the blister to heal in the open air as much as possible.
5. If you continue the exercise which caused the blister apply a donut shaped piece of mole skin to the area. The donut hole should be the area with the healing blister skin. Leaving it uncovered will allow it to heal, while the moleskin around it will prevent other friction.
6. Check daily or each time you stop hiking. Continue keeping it clean.

Tips

• When using the needle to drain the blister, a sterilized thread can be pulled through the entry AND exit of the needle and left there over night. The thread will prevent closing and provides a "wick" for the fluid. Proven useful lots of times in the Army.
• Don't pick at it too much to avoid infection.
• Try not to disattach the skin that covers the blister. It offers natural protection for the raw skin underneath.

Warnings

• If a blister has excessive amounts of pus draining from it, starts to smell, or becomes red, the blister is probably infected. See a doctor.
• Do not use a match to sterilize the instrument that you will use to pierce the blister --fire will oxidize any coatings on the metal and leave black, sooty particulate that can cause an infection.