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A blister can turn the greatest hike into a nightmare. Blisters are the most common foot ailment suffered while hiking. Even a short hike can seem like an eternity if a blister has formed on your foot. Blisters develop anywhere on the foot or body where there is irritating friction. Shoes, clothing and skin rubbing against skin creates friction. Sweating skin is more prone to blisters than dry skin. It is better to prevent blisters than it is to treat blisters once they develop. There is nothing like a painful blister or two to ruin your sporting activities.
Things You’ll Need:
Well-fitting shoes
Moisture-wicking socks
Athletic tape
Foot powder
Moisture-wicking clothing
Body powder
Body oil
Instructions:
Prevent Blisters on the Feet
Step 1
Wear shoes that fit well. Shoes that are too tight squeeze and rub skin on the foot, causing blisters. Shoes that are too big move around on the foot, creating blister-causing friction.
Step 2
Break in new shoes. Stiff new shoes are blister-causing culprits. A hike, bike, walk or run is not the time to break in shoes. Break in new shoes by wearing them for short periods each day for a week before using them for sports activities.
Step 3
Wear socks made of synthetic materials to keep the feet from sweating. Shop at athletic supply stores for socks made of moisture-wicking materials. Moisture-wicking socks pull moisture away from the skin, keeping the feet dry.
Step 4
Tape blister-prone areas with bandages, athletic tape or zinc oxide tape to create a barrier between the foot and shoe. Place tape on the skin so that it sits smooth without any wrinkles. Wrinkles in the tape will only aggravate the skin more and increase the likelihood of blisters.
Step 5
Use a athletic foot spray or foot powder to keep the feet dry.
Prevent Blisters on the Body
Step 1
Wear clothing made of synthetic moisture-wicking materials to keep the skin dry.
Step 2
Choose clothing that is snug but not too tight. Tight clothing irritates and rubs the skin. Loose clothing moves around and creates friction that leads to blisters. Look for clothing that does not have thick seams that could rub on the skin.
Step 3
Apply body powder on the skin to keep skin dry. Or, if you prefer, apply a body oil or petroleum jelly to the skin so that the skin glides smoothly against itself and clothing, without irritating friction.
Origionally written by Rose KiviN.A.C. News
(Sunday, August 9, 2020)
Hello everyone,
It's Sunday again, and time for Volume 10 of Adventure Weekly. Although I am writing this before the Primrose Hike, we have a great group, 10 people strong, and the weather forecast couldn't be more perfect! So I am going to go out on a limb here and say it was an awesome hike. The next two hikes, Crawford Lake Loop Hike and The Limehouse Loop Hike, still have many open spots and both locations are absolutely beautiful. I love crawling down the ladders and through the crevices at Limehouse. So be sure to register for those hikes soon! Our backpacking trips are getting closer. The 2 Day Dyers Bay Trip is now full with 8 guests. But there are still more than 5 spots left on The Walter's Falls 3 Day Trip. We will be utilizing primitive camp sites, meaning it's a whole new level of being outdoors you won't want to miss! The long weekend was very busy, running guided hiking tours of the Niagara Glen, I was booked solid. But everything is slowing down now, and so I will get back to planning events. There will be a 3 week period in the month of September with no day hikes. The two backpacking trips, and the climbing adventure with Nature Girl Expeditions have my weekends full. But we will get right back to it in October, November and December. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Hope to see you soon, Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club