Skin blister

A skin injury consisting of a local thin-walled vesicle on the skin which results from the accumulation of serous or seropurulent fluid between the epidermis and the skin. It is often caused by a burn or by excessive rubbing of the skin. Blisters are the number one foot ailment in Hiking and they can turn the greatest hike into the most painful one. Blisters can be avoided by proper Foot Training, having the correct Hiking Boots and Hiking Socks, and by early detection of possible problems. In this section, know the causes of Blisters and how to prevent Blisters, and how to treat them.

Causes of blisters

There are various causes of blisters. They may be either heat or moisture. The heat responsible for causing Blisters is mostly caused by the friction between your skin and the inner of your boot. Sand and gravel in your boot can increase friction which is why they also cause Blisters. Moist or wet feet from sweat or water are more susceptible to Blisters as moisture softens your skin.

Prevention of blisters

Preventing Blisters boils down to countering the factors that cause them. In general, keeping your feet cool, dry, and free of sand will do the trick. There are some tips to prevent occurrence of blisters. Firstly, select Hiking Boots with a good fit that do not chafe your feet or have painful pressure points. Choose watertight but breathable boots that give the proper ventilation that will get rid of excess moisture. Look for fully gusseted tongs that keep sand and gravel outside of your boots. For more information on choosing correct Hiking Boots, read our section on Hiking Boots and Buying Hiking Boots.

Other preventions

One should give the feet ample rest. If you feel that your feet might be moist or overheated, it might be wise to make some alterations to your Hiking Rhythm and take a longer Rest where you take off your boots and socks. If you do so, you might want to change socks and dry the ones you had on. Having two pairs of socks used alternately is always a good idea to prevent Blisters. If you decide to cool your feet in a stream or pool then make sure to dry them off well before you put on your socks and boots. When conditions allow it, take off your boots and socks and walk with sandals.

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