From The Straits Times    |

Image: Guzel Andrianova/123rf.com

Sometimes, the joys of buying a new pair of shoes can be so easily forgotten when you remember that you will have to deal with the pain of a newly-formed blister for the coming weeks.

Most women are resigned to the fact that blisters have become a part of owning a pair of shoes that you love, but we at The Weekly believe otherwise.

With the help of these easy tips, say goodbye to your days of limping around in agony or having to carry another pair of flats in your bag just in case your shoes start to bite back. Happy feet days are here to stay!

Foot Glide Anti-Blister Stick, $17.90, from Guardian.

#1 Use an anti-blister stick

One of the easiest ways would be to rely on blister-preventing lubricants. 

Simply swipe it all over your feet before your shoes go on and the idea is that the lubricant will remove the friction that would normally cause these painful blisters. It’s a little messy if you’re a first-time user, but with enough practice, you’ll be a pro at identifying blister-prone areas to target. 

 

#2 Break them in slowly

Breaking a pair of shoes in is a well-known part of buying new footwear. But while most women would often rush into wearing (and enduring) their new heels for a week or two, we recommend taking your time to ease into them. 

To start, spend no more than a few hours a day wearing them indoors. You can wear them at home while watching the evening news, or walk around the office in them for a couple of hours before changing out of them. This abbreviated form of breaking shoes in will allow your skin to get used to the shoes, and for the shoes to start moulding to fit your foot.

 

Foot Petals Technogel Tip Toes, $12.90, from www.redmart.com.

#3 Keep foot petals on hand

Have a part of your shoe rubbing you the wrong way? Foot petals might help. 

Identify the areas that are causing the most friction between your foot and the shoe, then stick some foot petals into the area to prevent excessive rubbing that leads to blistering. 

Don’t forget to trim the petals down if they’re too large! There’s no point having nice shoes if these petals are going to peek out.

 

Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion, $21.90, from Bath & Body Works.

#4 Make sure you moisturise! 

This might sound counter-intuitive to preventing blisters, but hear us out. 

Moisturising your feet every night after a shower can actually help you to build strong skin that can withstand more friction without breaking. 

Also, before you reach for the pumice to sand away calluses, consider keeping them and applying moisturiser over them as well. Calluses are the skin’s natural shield against painful blistersk, but keeping it too dry will result in cracking and cause further pain. 

 

Dr Scholl’s Massaging Gel Extra Support Insoles from drscholls.com.

#5 Wear insoles with your shoes

Blisters can also occur when your feet are constantly sliding inside your shoes due to slippery insoles. While straps can only do so much to hold your feet in place, a pair of insoles help keep further friction at bay. 

Plus, they also help in providing extra comfort and support so it’s a triple win! 

 

#6 Pack a box of cushioned band-aids with you

Cushioned band-aids are a last-ditch attempt at avoiding the painful bumps. The cushioning creates a barrier between your skin and the shoe, but as the stickiness wears off when it comes into contact with sweat, it would be wise to keep a couple more band-air plasters in your bag. We’ll admit, while unsightly, it does most of the work in staving off blisters. 

 

#7 Make sure your feet are clean before popping 

If you’re done everything to prevent it but a blister still pops up, then you’re only left with the choice of bearing with the pain or popping it. 

Before popping, clean your hands and feet with sterilising soap and warm water. Then, sterilise a needle with some heat or rubbing alcohol,and make a small puncture at the edge of the blister.

Use a cotton gauze to soak up the fluid, before applying antibacterial ointment and covering with a plaster. Word of caution: Popping your blister should only be done if you’re unable to walk or if it’s causing too much pain. Otherwise, they tend to go away in a few days. 

 

#8 Buy the right shoe size

Sometimes, prevention is the best method. This also means that you have to try on the shoe properly in-store before making the purchase. 

Different brands can run differently in terms of cutting and sizing, so never assume your purchase will fit like the one before – even if you’re buying from the same brand. Take some time to try sides of the shoes and walk around the store to see how they fit. It helps you identify potential blister areas, which aid in your decision-making process as well. 

This story originally appeared in The Singapore Women’s Weekly. 

 

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