How is best to deal with blisters when running a marathon?

Question

I am running the NYC Marathon next month. Its my first marathon and my training is now getting pretty intense. I have developed a re-occuring blister on my 2nd toe as it rubs against the middle one when I run. What is the best way to firstly let this heal quickly and secondly to stop it irritating me on the race day?

Answer 1

For fast healing,do the following:

Small, intact blisters that don't cause discomfort usually need no treatment. To protect from infection, keep the blister's own skin or roof, then cover with a small adhesive bandage.

Intact larger or painful blisters or with small tears should be drained without removing the roof. Clean the blister with rubbing alcohol or antibiotic soap and water then puncture it with a sterile pin Drain the fluid gently then apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin with polymyxin B or bacitracin alone. Cover the blister with a bandage and change the dressing daily or more frequently if it becomes wet, soiled, or loose. Blisters with small tears should be treated the same as mentioned.

Blisters with larger tears should be "unroofed" carefully with fine scissors, and the base should be cleansed thoroughly with soap and water or an antibacterial cleanser. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandages as described above.

To stop irritating it to you on the race day:

Be sure to wear fit and comfortable shoes, and wear layered socks - special double-layered socks can minimize shearing forces. Socks made from polypropylene or other new synthetic socks are recomended. Use padded insoles to decrease friction in a specific area. Using foot drying agents may also help.A thin layer of petroleum jelly can also be applied to the feet to decrease friction. Applying cloth tape over the area before marathon is also a good remedy.

Answer 2

I agree with the other answers, in that, you need to get some good, wide, fitting shoes broken in and get some cotton diabetic socks. The kind I like are : http://www.amazon.com/s.html/002-1673768-8761668?ie=UTF8&me=A1C3U2V2RUMVDE&brand=Ames%20Walker , I like the 185 or 130 style.

You may want to rub or spray your feet with antiperspirant (not deodorant) before you put on your socks. This will help keep down the sweat on your feet and it has a bit of an antifungal quality if it has zinc in it.
To get the blister to heal, clean it with benadine solution (this will keep it from getting infected and dry it) and use either rolled bandage or just fit the pad of a bandaid in between the toes while you are not running. Make sure while you are not running that the shoes you are wearing also are wide enough. When possible, go in flip flops this week to allow the blister to dry and heal. After you have cleaned it with benadine (should be in the disinfectant section of any store, ask a pharmacist's assistant if you cannot find it), make sure the skin flap is neatly trimmed off with a sharp cuticles scissors or something like them.
You may want to buy some of those very expensive (about $5/pair) rubber/silicone toe covers in the foot section of most stores. They look like spongy ring wraps. If you use them more than once, make sure you wash and dry them at night, maybe with a little benadine.
Benadine is red and will dye anything you happen to spill it on. It is an Iodine solution that doesn't sting, but smells. So it turns paper blueish, due to the starch content.
Good Luck. You are getting so much advise, how can you lose!

Answer 3

Unroofed Blister

Answer 4

ya gotta get that toe healed FIRST ! If it's not healed by race day then you may be in for a tough time. Avoid wearing a shoe or sock or applying creams (perhaps a bit of triple antibiotic after you clean the entire foot.) and keep that foot washed. If the area has dried out enough and it's not too tender , I'd say sock the foot and give it a test run a day or so prior to the race but at this time without any cream. You may want to put some corn starch or a similar powder to absorb any moisture. If all goes well on the practice run , go to a shoe guy and make certain you are wearing an appropriate shoe for your foot (some folk have one foot slightly different than the other). On race day , you might consider an anti chaffing medication such as Jock Itch. Might sound absurd but if it'll work down there...it'll work a bit lower. A raw blister inside a sweaty shoe is a good way to find an infected toe. My question is why are you gonna run anyway. I only run if somebody is chasing me......

Answer 5

WAY TO GO, AND GOOD LUCK ON THE WIN. I walk 2-3 miles a day if not every other day and I tend to get only when I walk this re-occurring callus/blister as well. You may want to get your feet pampered, soaked treated ect... And place a band-aide on this spot when running so that it will be safely covered. Also go to your nearest footlocker mention this to sales person who should recommend the right Shoe for feet/toes. Take care. P.S. I wish you had a Number and marathon could be seen on TV, I WOULD WATCH AND CHEER YOU ON.

Answer 6

What you need is 2nd skin. It is a gel-like pad that you put over the blister and it helps decrease pain and irritation. You should also have someone take a look at your shoes. There is obviously something there that is causing the problem. By fixing the shoe problem, you fix the blister problem. Good luck!

Answer 7

I've had a lot of success with 'Blister Block' from Band-aid brand products. Link is below. Good Luck in the marathon!

Answer 8

make sure your shoe size is correct (i'm sure you have already). vaseline on the areas that rub always works good, small amounts. nylon socks work for the areas to the outside. the quickest i found to heal a blister is to clean the are well and slit the blister, drain. clean again with peroxide, dry and cover with neosporin. his is not the best way, but the quickest.
good luck. i hope you place.

Answer 9

Use a product made by Curad. They are blister covers that have medication in them to prevent infection. Work Great! They also work later/after the race.

Answer 10

Use a medicated powder and try to keep ur feet in open air for quite a good time it shud definately heal the blister faster but it shud b powdered and even while u r running use the antiperspirant powder along with this medicated powder and I really think u should consult a good doctor but if u can't then this shud suffice.

Answer 11

I suggest taking care of your feet, since that is the only pair you have. You should see a Podiatrist, and see what he will tell you. I decided to give up walking , the blisters were so painful, and now ride a bike and do water aerobics,and feel much better.