Nefir

I consider myself to be a pretty good rollerblader. I skate in Central Park pretty much every weekend, and then spend the rest of the week recovering from really bad blisters on my ankles (by bad I mean about 1 inch in diameter, fluid-filled, and very painful).

Its something about the shape of my foot - I've gone through at least 4 pairs of skates because my ankles eventually rub a hole through the soft parts of the boot, and I make sure that I strap up VERY tight too. My latest skates are as small as they can go without being "too small to fit", but the problem still exists.

I always wear two-layer skate socks when I skate, but it doesn't help. I've tried everything sock-related - fat socks, thin socks, two pairs of socks at once. No dice. I can't use any sort of adhesive things because the sweat will cause them to detach and slide around, causing even more discomfort and irritation.

Does anyone have any advice for avoiding this sort of foot damage? I'm getting to the point where my foot pain threshold becomes the bottleneck, instead of the level of my fitness. I really want to skate MORE, but I can't because of this...

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amonkie

I'm not a good or frequent blader, but I have had the same issue as you due to lack of proper technique. I was basically doing whatever it took just to stay upright. By doing so, I was not allowing the blades and their fit to help in my movement. Maybe having someone take a look at your style, and giving you pointers might be a way to stop blisters?

With the blisters you already have, however, DO NOT POP! I know they're just screaming to be let out, but if you infect the area, you're gonna be many times worse off. Maybe something to try would be a corn pad or something where you normally get the blisters, that might be able to give you a little extra cushion.

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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

maleficent

DOn't pop the blisters - they'll only get infected.




How are your arches? From what you are describing, your feet are turning in... do they do this in shoes as well? Sneakers or dress shoes you will see one edge of the heel being worn down more than the other.

You might want to check with an orthopedist ( some of the better shoe stores have them in the stores) and see if there's any kind of insert you can get to turn your feet out a little...

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maleficent

Cotton wool - -(cotton balls, that are 100 percent cotton, wrapped around an ace bandage or waterproof bandage might help with the temporary pain.

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zenmaster10665

try an insole from a sneaker. I used to get terrible blisters on the arch of my feet...i still did even with an insert, ski socks and another pair of socks underneath...it seems that a little into the season, when I am doing the most distance (18K 3-4 times/wk) these blisters just turn into calluses and dont hurt so much anymore...defintely try an insole as it may raise your foot a bit in the arch....it helped me a bit, at least.

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Nefir

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the tips!

I do make sure that my feet are normally perpendicular to the ground, but when I really go all-out, I put alot of force into pushing away with my legs, especially uphill. This technique creates long strides, and causes movement within the boot (one leg pushes back far, and the pushing foot ends up being quite un-perpendicular while its braced against the ground). This could be it.

Next time I'll try to change the way I push away, and use some sort of insole. The people I usually skate with always say my technique is really good, especially uphill... but maybe they are just being nice

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You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

ubertuber

I get the blisters on my arches, which are rather high. I do pre-emptive padding under my sock - to reduce the friction on those spots if not the pressure. This seems to help.

Where do you go in the Park?? Sometimes I do the big loop...

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BuDDaH

Hey, lets hook up really soonish sometimes, I skate the park and skate sometimes on the weekend with the other skaters in the Mall near Sheep's Meadow.. (Been doing that since I was 12..)

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ubertuber

The crazy dancing guys?? That's awesome - I like to go watch them sometimes. There is this guy that does slow motion tricks on a bicycle. He's pretty cool.

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Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

Nefir

I've never tried the disco thing on rollerblades. I dance like Elaine from Seinfeld, and when long metal frames and extra-hard wheels are involved, this will be a major health hazard for everyone around. And their sister.

I'm just really good at one thing - going forward really fast without falling down, dodging tourists, and sharply stopping when needed. Ok thats three things. Unfortunately none of them involve skating backwards, and doing all those funky dancy things.

One of these days I've gotta try it

I do the big loop every time. Can you say... TFP Central Park Roller Derby?

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You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

ubertuber

It would be more like a roller-destruction derby if I was there - I never said I was good. Still, I'd be up for it.

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Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

jizzmasterp

I am the blister master. First apply industrial strength duct tape to the blister prone area. Then rub an anti-perspirant stick on the rest of your foot. Use polypropylene liner socks. You won't have anymore blisters, pretty much guaranteed.

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Nefir

Duct tape? Anti-perspirant? Jinkies! This is just crazy enough to work!

I never thought blister remedies could be so exciting

I really hope my foot gets better by this weekend, so I can actually try some of this out.

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You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

maleficent

how do you get off the duct tape? baby oil?

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Sp0rAdiC

I second the duct tape suggestion, it works great. I put a strip on the back of my ankles before I go hiking or anything, and it always works. After I'm done I just rip it off with one quick swipe. Stings for a few seconds, but much better than having a blister.

CoachAlan

I third the duct tape. I saw it on EcoChallenge, and those people are blister experts.

Further, on a particularly arduous three-day hike, I got significant blisters on the FIRST DAY. I applied duct tape and I have no doubt that it totally saved my feet. However, if you put the tape over a place that is already blistered, it's guaranteed that at least one layer of skin is coming off with the tape.

Oh, and one last thing... Because of the perspiration on your skin, there's a slim possiblilty it may slide a bit. To make sure this doesn't happen, wrap the duct tape completely around the affected area and adhere it to itself. Duct tape sticks to itself very well.

"If you can't duct it, fuck it!"

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MSD

If you don't want to use duct tape, get some Dr. Scholls moleskin and put it on the spot that rubs. Works great for the balls of my feet when I wear dress shoes with a thicker heel than sneakers (this is annoying, why do mens' dres shoes have thick heels?)

Nefir

Today I performed a very scientific test (read "slapped on everything people have suggested so far, and then some, all at the same time"). Phase One test results are in.

The results were reassuring, though further testing and fine-tuning will be needed. The duct tape I used was not quite up to "industrial" standards, it seems. By the time I was done, some of it had shifted, and caused a small blister on my right foot. The left foot, however, (which is still recovering from a very bad blister from last week) was just lovely.

Tomorrow I will attempt Phase Two - I have procured some REAL industrial-strength duct tape, and will see how this affects existing blisters.

EDIT: Oh yea, as soon as I reach a state where I can skate for any decent length of time without having to limp home, we should definitely do some sort of TFP rollerblading get together. Actually I'm up for it regardless

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You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

amonkie

Glad to see you're taking some advice to heart! Looking forward to your next report

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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

Nefir

Success! I have completed 13 miles without any serious damage (usually it gets bloody by 13, so this is a huuuge improvement). The duct tape is really working (and it was rainy and slippery, so my technique was every much off). Can't wait to try 18.5 miles, in normal conditions...

Consider this thread a success. Thank you, everyone, for your help

__________________
You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

CoachAlan

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

Chalk another one up for duct tape!

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"If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!"
- Mark Twain

Jimp

Duct tape isn't very good especially if you already have a blister. I play roller hockey and have learned that 3M medical tape is really good. It comes off easy and works like a charm.

jizzmasterp

The Duct Tape must be industrial. The regular household stuff won't stick. If you already have an open blister, there are special blister bandages by Band-Aid (Advanced Healing Blister) that work. Note: leave this special bandage on for a few days and do not apply any duct tape to it as you will ruin the bandage when you attempt to remove the tape. The bandage is waterproof in the shower. If you have a sore blister than isnt fresh and isn't open if you get what I mean, just slap on another layer of duct tape. I play hockey about 15 times a month and I go through the duct tape/anit perspirant/liner socks routine every single time I lace up the skates. To get the duct tape off you just take it like a man and pull hard. I have lost some leg hair in the area right above my ankle but it isn't noticeable. Your foot needs to be dry when the duct tape is applied to ensure it sticks.

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st33lr4t

well i tried using duct tape instead of taping my hands when i went to the batting cages today. man i really like the using the duct tape! it held up to over an hour in the cages.

combatmedicjen

Nefir...

I am well trained in the delicate art of blister care and prevention. As an Army medic, I've treated blisters on my fellow soldiers' feet as well as my own. This is what you do:

1. Go to the store and buy some Moleskin. (Dr. Scholls makes really good Moleskin... get the padded stuff if you can find it)

2. Cut out at least three circles about an inch or two larger in diameter than the blister itself.

3. Take the first whole Moleskin circle and cut out a hole the exact size of your blister. It should look like a doughnut when you are done. Remove the backing and apply around the blister.

4. Take the second whole Moleskin circle and cut out a hole slightly smaller than the hole in the previous circle. Remove the backing and apply this directly on top of the first layer of Moleskin (you should only see part of your blister now).

5. Take the third layer and cut yet another slightly smaller hole than the last and apply on top of the other two layers.

6. Once you have applied as many layers as you think you need (I usually do three or four) you may cover the entire area with either a solid circle of Moleskin, a large bandaid, or even some duct tape;-)

You are, in essence, creating a protective "dome" over the top of your blister. This padding will eliminate pressure and friction on the area, greatly decreasing your discomfort.

You can also do this to "problem areas" before you go skating as a preventative measure. In other words, if you know of a specific area that is blister prone, just apply Moleskin to the area per above instructions to prevent a blister from ever forming. And the wonderful thing about Moleskin is that it stays glued on quite well. I've worn the same Moleskin for 2 or 3 days before, during which I marched about 15 miles. It was my saving grace. I can guarantee that every soldier you'll ever meet knows what Moleskin is and has probably used it.

Also, it is acceptable to pop your blisters only if they are excessively fluid-filled to the point of causing major discomfort, and only if you clean it several times daily with an antibacterial soap of some sort, put antibiotic ointment on it, and cover it with a bandaid while wearing shoes. It is definitely best to leave it "unpopped," whenever possible. And if you do pop it, leave the skin intact. This is an important protective covering for the delicate skin underneath.

Try this and let me know how it works. I think you will be very pleased. Good luck!

Nefir

Wow, jen, that is a most informative post! Thank you!

I will definitely investigate moleskin, as duct tape on its own still seems to cause some minor irritation after a while. I'm sooo glad I made this thread...

__________________
You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

wheat

Another thing that might work is putting a sock on, and duct taping over the sock. (I do this for snowboarding, and my feet sweat ALOT in my boots) The socks are pretty well soaked after a day of boarding, but if you tape like you would an ankle brace (around the arch of the foot, around ankle and up a bit) its definatly not coming off...sticks quite well to even a sweat-soaked cotton sock, and doesnt move. another key thing that ive noticed, is to apply the duct tape so it "moves with the rub". so, if your skate rubs up and down, do a strip starting on the bottom of your foot moving up, not going across. after prolonged use, tape with the grain going across the rub will start to roll, which really starts to hurt, and can give blisters very very quickly.

So, thats pretty much what ive found to be the best way to prevent blisters....and if you get good duct tape, it wont come off in the water...the glue seems to get sucked into your skin (just means your skin is sticky for a couple days) Ive used little squares of duct tape on canoe trips when ive had blisters.....with 4 or 5 blisters, it gave me a really weird patchy tan on my foot!

Nefir

Ok here's my own first real contribution to this thread:

I've been experimenting with various solutions, as described in this thread, and I have found one of my own thats pretty good!

You know those "Second Skin" gel patches used for burns? Put one over the affected area, and duct tape it so there's minimal shifting. Whatever friction normally makes a hole in your foot would be absorbed by the soft gel patch.

Only problem I've had so far was when the gel patch shifted, but that can be fixed with better duct taping techniques

__________________
You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy
Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy
Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants
Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance