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The most effective way to treat is blister is to prevent it from ever developing. There are a number or steps you can take to ward off the evil blister. But if you do develop one of these little nuisances, included below are some tips to treat them effectively.

Blisters occur when the skin on your foot rubs repeatedly against your sock or shoe. This causes the top few layers of skin to separate from the layers below. The area between the top and bottom layers fills with a fluid to keep the irritated areas separated. Just like that you have a blister. But there are ways to prevent this from happening.

BLISTER PREVENTION
It is very important to wear the proper shoes to prevent blisters. If your shoes are too small they will be tight and press uncomfortably against sensitive areas of your feet. If your shoes are too big, your foot will slide around inside the shoe and you'll have a blister in no time.

Take whatever steps you can to keep your feet dry. You may want to apply a foot powder to your feet before engaging in activity. Some athletes even change their socks regularly to keep their feet dry.

If you have an area on your foot that is prone to blisters, try taping that area. This will help keep it secure and dry and keep the skin from becoming irritated.

BLISTER TREATMENT
First and foremost when treating blisters, never pull off the top layer of skin. This is tempting, as blisters are often painful, but that layer will protect the irritated area beneath it from becoming infected. Removing that skin will also prolong the healing process.

There are two schools of thought on blisters: the poppers and the leavers. The poppers believe it is best to drain the blister of fluid. If you do this, sterilize a pin in an open flame and poke a small hole in the blister. Carefully squeeze the blister to drain the fluid. Again, do not remove the top layer of skin. The leavers believe you should not pop blisters. If you opt to leave your blister alone, your best bet is to get off your feet for a while. Remaining active with a blister will only make it worse.

When you do start to develop a blister, address the problem as quickly as you can. First tape up the blister. Some people even apply Vaseline to the affected area to reduce friction. Be sure to change your socks at this point. Never put wet socks back on your feet.

Catching blisters early and treating them properly will keep you on your feet longer and without discomfort. But if you take a few measures to prevent blisters in the first place, hopefully you won't need to treat them any time soon.

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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