Blisters - Preventing blisters

Blisters caused by a medical condition often cannot be prevented, so the cause will need to be treated by a GP.

Friction

Wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes and clean socks will help prevent blisters.

Blisters are more likely to develop on moist skin. If you have sweaty feet, wearing moisture-absorbing socks or changing your socks twice a day can help prevent them.

If you play sport or exercise regularly, wearing sports socks or thicker wool socks can help keep your feet dry and reduce your risk of getting a blister.

If you're going for a long walk, wear shoes that fit properly, are comfortable and you have worn before. Brand new shoes that aren't broken in may not be comfortable and may rub.

Stop immediately if you feel a hot area on your foot while walking, exercising or playing sport. If possible, tape some padding over the area.

Wear protective gloves when using tools such as shovels or pickaxes, and when doing manual work such as gardening. This will help prevent blisters developing on your hands.

Heat and sunburn

Be careful when dealing with heat such as steam, flames or boiling water. Make sure you use the right safety equipment in working environments that involve heat or chemicals.

Objects that get very hot, such as a stove or a kettle, should also be treated with care to avoid getting blisters caused by burns or scalds.

Use sunscreen when in the sun. Keep your skin covered with clothing to avoid getting blisters from sunburn. You should also wear a sun hat.

Moisturiser, aftersun or calamine lotion can help ease discomfort if you do get sunburnt.

Chemicals

Always wear protective gloves when handling detergents, cleaning products, solvents and other chemicals. Avoid any unnecessary contact with chemicals and be careful when dealing with them.