How I can best protect my huge blisters so that tomorrow I can run a 10K in relative comfort?

December 12, 2008 2:47 PM

Yesterday (Thursday) I did a pretty long run (7 miles out and back over pretty large hill in an hour and fifteen minutes). Tomorrow (Saturday) I'm running a 10k race in Santa Monica. Thursday's run wouldn't have been that big of a deal, except for the fact I had to borrow cotton socks (Champion brand from Costco) from my father as I forgot to pack my synthetic running socks. Now that gave quarter sized blisters on the front part of the arch of each foot. They're right behind the "ball". Also, during the run I the blisters popped and outer skin rubbed off. So, both feet have circles where the top layer (layers?) of skin is gone.

I have moleskin, but I'm pretty sure that's for hotspots and blisters that haven't popped. My current plan is to get huge bandaids and slap them over the exposed wounds. That should also keep the area clean.

But, I don't have that much experience in this kind of thing. In the past, I'd just skip the race and spend the next week playing XBox.

So, what would be the best course of action? I want to do well in my race tomorrow, also I don't want to cause an even bigger injury to my feet. I'm willing to "push past the pain" if necessary, but it'd be nice if tomorrow wasn't 6.4 miles of agony.

posted by sideshow to health & fitness (17 comments total)

I don't run, but when I get blisters I use Band Aid's Advanced Healing bandages (this page discusses them and similar products). I cannot say enough good things about them -- frequently my blisters heal up overnight. Even if they don't, the hurting the next day is dramatically reduced.
posted by katemonster at 2:57 PM on December 12, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Duct tape has worked for me. Really. Because it's somewhat slick, slicker than athletic tape, it'll slide in your sock and shoe. For me, that's a lot less painful than having it stick and rub within the shoe (which is how you got blisters in the first place).

I'd definitely try katemonster's advice first, but if that doesn't work for you, try duct tape on race day.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 3:07 PM on December 12, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

soaking your feet in apple vinegar is supposed to help heal skin fastish...
posted by runincircles at 3:08 PM on December 12, 2008

I do run and I'd let them dry. Try to keep them out of socks as much as possible before your next run. Ouch. I just got one myself from not breaking in my shoes before running on them.

Those funky blister Band Aids are really nice, but even if you followed the instructions perfectly, I'm not sure they'd go 10K. If you're willing to stop and remove them if they curl, they might be worth trying. Otherwise I'd trim the dead skin and try to keep them as dry as possible before you put on socks for the run.

Good luck.
posted by Toekneesan at 3:14 PM on December 12, 2008

Ill second the duct tape suggestion, and I wouldn't be worried about doing much to make them worse. I had a 10 mile training run that I had to do on some new blisters, and after a mile or two I didn't even feel them. They healed just fine. Small sample size but I think you'll be fine if you're anything like me.
posted by PFL at 3:20 PM on December 12, 2008

Go for a band-aid over the blister, if you can, then yup... duct tape. It's worked wonders for me in ski boots. Just make sure to round the corners of the duct tape with scissors, so they're less likely to roll up in your sock.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 3:23 PM on December 12, 2008

Using a quality bandage that provides a sterile contact surface is a good idea, but 'seal' it in right before the race with another layer of athletic tape or yeah, even duct tape. When done with the race (right away) remove it all and treat it as you would otherwise. I used to have some blister specific bandages that came with a little blue pad of medication infused gel that you placed over the blister and then covered with another layer. I forget the name, but they were wonderful and not running specific.

On another note, how long have you been running and how long at this distance/duration? An hour long hilly run is intense, but certainly not really a body breaking run. Did you recently change your pace, shoes, distance, or mechanics? I've never worn socks other run of the mill cotton socks and haven't experienced such an immediate case of blisters. Sure maybe my feet are rougher than another person's but running puts a lot of wear and tear on anyone's and it doesn't seem right that you'd get this after one run in new socks (unless there was a seam right at the blister point).
posted by Science! at 3:24 PM on December 12, 2008

Why not put some duct tape over a fancy band aid for actual racing? That way you get the benefits of the bandage without worrying about it curling up and leaving your foot.
posted by MadamM at 3:25 PM on December 12, 2008

yup. band-aids with duct tape over it is easily the way to go.

that's what i used to do in cross country when i had bad blisters. and definitely keep them as dry as possible for the next few days.
posted by Lacking Subtlety at 3:58 PM on December 12, 2008

Manly suggestion: gold bond powder in the shoe to cut down on sweat.
Womanly suggestion: short panty hose under the socks.

Mix 'em together, and it's the best union your feet will ever know.
posted by No New Diamonds Please at 4:10 PM on December 12, 2008

Another vote for duct tape on top of band aids. You can also rub some Body Glide or similar product on the duct tape to further decrease friction.

Duct tape is also great for prevention, should you ever find yourself without your running socks again.
posted by rube goldberg at 4:19 PM on December 12, 2008

the blister bandages with the gel stuff are second skin. Great stuff. My daughter peeled all the skin off of her heel and was able to practice sports with that stuff on. Before it healed enough to use the second skin, we band aided, and then wrapped in sticky gauze and then taped. didn't move.
posted by domino at 4:42 PM on December 12, 2008

I'm also a runner with occasional blister problems, and I can't second katemonster's suggestion enough. Fancy blister bandages are completely worth the money. I've never tried putting duct tape or anything over them -- they usually last for days on their own.
posted by liet at 4:44 PM on December 12, 2008

Crazy glue. Seriously. I'm a sometimes 100+ mile a week guy. The ultra guys use it. It's a good temporary fix.
posted by jimmythefish at 10:05 PM on December 12, 2008

a) never run in anything but synthetic running socks.
b) bandaids with duct tape or the more expensive blister bandages, either will work fine.
c) 14 miles in 1h15m? are you seriously running 5 minute miles? if so i would imagine you should know plenty of other pros who can tell you all these answers.
posted by allkindsoftime at 7:43 AM on December 13, 2008

Dean Karnazes uses Crazy Glue.
posted by cnc at 11:20 AM on December 13, 2008

@allkindsoftime: I think the OP means 3.5 miles there, 3.5 miles back. So 10 minute miles.
I don't actually have anything useful to contribute.
posted by katrielalex at 5:31 PM on December 13, 2008