The first step in preventing blisters is to learn exactly what a blister is and how they form.
Medically, a blister is a cavity under the epidermis filled with fluid. Due to friction, heat, cold, or certain diseases, the skin is damaged and a blister forms between the upper layers of your skin.
Different types of blisters
Pressure blisters
Pressure blisters or friction blisters are the common everyday blisters that most people have experienced. They are caused by friction and are often not very serious, but can be annoying for avid hikers, runners, or athletes. If you keep walking and it worsens, a blood blister can even develop. There is also a risk of infection.
Blood blisters
Blood blisters are blisters that not only damage the underlying skin tissue but also hit a blood vessel, causing the blister to fill with blood. Blood blisters can be very painful and there is little you can do about them. Puncturing them is discouraged due to the high risk of infection.
Burn / cold
Extremely low or high temperatures can also cause blisters. Burns or frostbite also damage the skin, after which the body tries to repair the damaged areas.
Diseases
There are also many diseases, infections, and other conditions that can cause blisters. Think of various types of eczema, herpes, or impetigo.
How does a blister form?
A blister is actually your body's way of repairing itself. Friction on the skin damages the skin and underlying tissue. This causes fluid to leak out and form the blister. A natural cushion that helps the cells underneath to heal.
A vicious circle
Blister formation is a process that starts with a minimal amount of friction. Repeated friction worsens the condition, causing the foot to become warmer and produce more moisture. It goes from bad to worse.
This is also why blisters sometimes only appear after a long time but then quickly worsen. The culprits, besides friction, are the heat it generates and the extra moisture produced by that heat. This worsens the friction and makes your skin more vulnerable. It is a vicious circle that quickly gets out of hand if you do not take action.
Friction
A blister always starts with friction. A tiny shift in the shoe is often not a problem in daily life, but if you repeat it many times during a walk, enough friction will build up to cause a blister. Friction can have many different causes and is difficult to prevent.
Heat
A result of all that friction on your skin is your feet warming up. Due to the friction, your feet get warm, swell, and sweat more. This not only feels uncomfortable but also promotes blister formation.
Moisture
The extra sweating is a direct result of your feet warming up. The extra moisture softens your skin and worsens blister formation. Where you might have had only one blister before, there can quickly be more if you keep walking with warm, moist feet.
Pressure points
Pressure or friction blisters develop fastest at so-called pressure points. These are the spots that endure the most friction. The heel, forefoot, and small toes are well-known examples. This is also why hiking socks are often extra padded in these areas.
Extra cushioning and protection for your feet.
