Blisters...

[Dementia]

I've read a NUMBER of blister tips (prevention and cure)

like

Moleskin
Solid underarm deodorant on the feet
bodyglide (I still haven't seen this stuff)

obviously you want to wear comfortable shoes, so I'm not talking about footwear. I'm just curious to hear all the tips (no matter how "crazy") for blisters (and the prevention of...

 

[KLAIT]

Have not heard about solid underarm deoderant, but we always use the Spray anit-persperant / deoderant on the feet. Works like a charm..not one blister between us for several trips.

 

[beattyfamily]

I used to get blisters every trip so I've read up on all the tips.

Here's what I learned here on the boards:

Moleskins for those hot spots (I love this).

Anit-persperant spray; must have anit-persperant to work (this didn't work for me though with sneakers).

Duck tape for hot spots (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS).

Vaciline for hot spots (too greasy for me!)

Bodyglide, Blistershield roll on or powder, Avon Blister and chafing balm, the new Monistat product...for prevention of blisters and chafing (I have Bodyglide, Blistershield roll on and the Avon balm and love them all for between my legs and on my feet).

Advice on all kinds of shoes (sneakers and sandals) and how they should fit you (loose, tight fitting etc...)...I have now realized I cannot wear sneaks and socks no matter what and I wear Teva Pretty Rugged Leather.

Some of the shoes people mention are: Tevas, Crocs, Nike Strap Runners, Ecco (I love these too), New Balance sneakers, etc...

Buying of Coolmax socks that prevent moisture which prevents the blisters. (didn't work for me)

Trial and error is what worked for me. Now I wear sandals and I bring moleskins just in case and I use the Bodyglide and the Blistershield and I haven't had a blister in 3 trips.

 

[LisaS]

Now I wear sandals and I bring moleskins just in case and I use the Bodyglide and the Blistershield and I haven't had a blister in 3 trips.

I just bought some Bodyglide for our trip next week. I've never used it before. Do you just apply this once before you head out for the day or do you have to bring it with you and reapply throughout the day? I'm hoping I don't need to bring it with me. Thanks!

 

[beattyfamily]

I just bought some Bodyglide for our trip next week. I've never used it before. Do you just apply this once before you head out for the day or do you have to bring it with you and reapply throughout the day? I'm hoping I don't need to bring it with me. Thanks!

For my feet, no I never re-apply but for between my legs to prevent chafing, sometimes yet. I keep it in my fanny pack or my backpack. It's pretty small and it's worth it. Chafing hurts!

 

[jmminarik]

Buying of Coolmax socks that prevent moisture which prevents the blisters. (didn't work for me)

Trial and error is what worked for me.

Socks made simply with a wicking material such as the Coolmax trademark may not be enough. They don't necessarily wick enough or account for the friction aspect of blisters. We swear by (it's all I wear as a daily sock) the various walking socks made by a company called Thorlo. They have different knitting patterns based on the type of activity (walking, tennis, running, hiking, et al), all supposed to provide extra cushioning and what I call 'sacrifical padding'. This padding rubs away in poorly fitting shoes, not your skin. They're not cheap...$8-12 per pair depending, but they're not cheaply made either.

And of course, trial and error is the only way one will really know. Took us a while to realize no walking shoe manufacturer other than New Balance would do for our fred flintstone wide feet.

-Joe

 

[tlbwriter]

Moleskin, moleskin, moleskin. I cannot tell you how wonderful this stuff is. Pre-cut some squares ahead of time and bring one or two with you into the park in case you get a hot spot. It's amazing how well it works.

 

[tlbwriter]

And of course, trial and error is the only way one will really know. Took us a while to realize no walking shoe manufacturer other than New Balance would do for our fred flintstone wide feet.

A clerk at a local sporting goods store told me New Balance is one of the best brands for wide feet. Unfortunately, mine didn't work well with some other idiosyncracy of my feet, so I had to return them. I think I replaced them with Avias, but I might be remembering wrong.

 

[MomE@Home]

My whole family (5 + my DS's friend) used Blistershield powder & Sportshield liquid on our last trip to WDW (April 10-20 of this year). Not a single one of us got even one blister !!! I used a pedometer and walked a total of 58.21 miles ! I wore my Teva pretty rugged sandals the whole trip. I would roll on the liquid on the areas the sandal straps touched in the morning & it lasted all day. I also brought along travel packs of the liquid but never had to use them. I have to add that I blister very easily because I have goofy feet !
The web site is: http://www.blistershield.com/

 

[oogieboogie]

Instead of sticking the moleskin to my feet, I actually stuck it to the inside of the shoes. It worked better and stuck on stronger than on my toes. I put it on the inside of where the straps of sandals hit your toes, and on the heels of shoes/sandals.

Another thing instead of spray anti-perspirant which doesn't work for me is a cream anti-perspirant. Arrid makes them in these little shoe-polish like container and Walmart carries them. You rub it on, and it dries clear and works really well. It even helped DH's chafing issues.

 

[LisaS]

For my feet, no I never re-apply but for between my legs to prevent chafing, sometimes yet. I keep it in my fanny pack or my backpack. It's pretty small and it's worth it. Chafing hurts!

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to giving Bodyglide a try to see if it saves my feet this trip. After reading your response I think I'll put some on the inside of my arms since I sometimes get some chafing where my arms rub against my side. Sounds like it will help that problem, too!

I also bought some Thorlo socks. I took them for a test walk on our treadmill and I love the extra cushioning they provide.

Thanks to those who contributed to this and the other blister-related threads, I feel ready to tackle WDW this year!

 

[Musky]

I used to get blisters every trip so I've read up on all the tips.


Duck tape for hot spots (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS).


My understanding of the duct tape procedure is that it's *not* for hot spots, instead you duct tape your foot before you start out in order to prevent hot spots. I've read that you tear it into thin strips and place the duct tape on any surface that might rub, i.e, toes, heels, ball of foot, etc. They go into it in some detail in The Unofficial Guide. I've never tried it myself as I think getting it off might be horrible, but after the blisters I got last time (they were so bad I had to rent a wheelchair), I'm willing to give anything a try!

Becky

 

[beattyfamily]

My understanding of the duct tape procedure is that it's *not* for hot spots, instead you duct tape your foot before you start out in order to prevent hot spots. I've read that you tear it into thin strips and place the duct tape on any surface that might rub, i.e, toes, heels, ball of foot, etc. They go into it in some detail in The Unofficial Guide. I've never tried it myself as I think getting it off might be horrible, but after the blisters I got last time (they were so bad I had to rent a wheelchair), I'm willing to give anything a try!

Becky

That is what I meant. You put it on BEFORE you go and it prevents hot spots/blisters. I still do NOT recommend this.

 

[harleyquinn]

I have one more thing to add.

I heard on these boards to try using nylons (the footie kind).

So my personal success story consists of:
1. blistershield
2. moleskin if necessary
3. nylon footies
4. coolmax socks
5. two alternating pairs of well used tennis shoes

I'm not sure which things were necessary and which weren't, but I won't stray from this,because it did work.

I really think the blistershield (roll-on) combined with the nylons and the coolmax did it.

 

[Musky]

That is what I meant. You put it on BEFORE you go and it prevents hot spots/blisters. I still do NOT recommend this.

Sorry, the way your post read I thought you meant to put it on after you had a hot spot, like moleskin. Can you elaborate on why you don't recommend it? I have doubts myself, it just doesn't sound healthy for your feet, but like I said, if I have blisters on this trip like I did last time I'll probably be willing to try voodoo! I'm curious as to what your experience was with the duct tape.

Becky

 

[beattyfamily]

Sorry, the way your post read I thought you meant to put it on after you had a hot spot, like moleskin. Can you elaborate on why you don't recommend it? I have doubts myself, it just doesn't sound healthy for your feet, but like I said, if I have blisters on this trip like I did last time I'll probably be willing to try voodoo! I'm curious as to what your experience was with the duct tape.

Becky

No need for sorry's! I just wanted to clarify what I meant. I do not have personal experience with this but have read horror stories of people trying to get the duck tape off when they had a blister underneath Ouch!

Some runners do swear by it but I'd be very afraid to try it. Even wonderful moleskins can hurt coming off if there is a blister underneath already.

Of course, I don't blame you for wanting to try anything to avoid blisters! They can ruin a trip! I've had them on my first 4 trips but not on my last 3 thankfully! I found my answer....Teva Pretty Rugged leather sandals and alternating with my Ecco Cosmos sandals, and Bodyglide on the hot spots and I bring moleskins just in case.

Oh and I also take 2 motrin at least once a day for swelling and aching. AND if I'm staying at a DVC resort, I soak my feet in the Jacuzzi each night and top off my feet with Dr. Scholl's Peppermint cream! It feels AMAZING on tired achy feet. Those are all other tips I learned here!

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

This is what has worked for me the last few trips:

Put on the moleskin strips on the few parts of my feet that I know will be "rubbed the wrong way," before I begin the day.

We usually do parks from opening to closing so we return in the p.m. to change and freshen up. Changing socks and into a different pair of running shoes feels great!

I used the moisture wicking socks, while I cannot "prove" they prevented blisters they did feel nice and cushy and I used them off and on all week.

I don't have any major foot problems but I do need a good arch support. I used Filas and New Balance and they were both great.

I felt 100% better when I took care of my feet....it's so worth it. Comfy feet are happy feet!

 

[sjams]

where do you get BodyGlide and BlisterShield? Is the BlisterShield a powder or something you "glide" on? Which works better on the legs?

 

[LisaS]

where do you get BodyGlide and BlisterShield? Is the BlisterShield a powder or something you "glide" on? Which works better on the legs?

I bought BodyGlide at a local Eastern Mountain Sports store, which probably doesn't help you down in Texas! You could try checking the list of retailers from the product websites. I know these lists aren't always complete but it's a place to start. You can also buy both products online. Can't answer your questions about BlisterShield since I've never used it but their website has a pretty good description about what it is and why it works. Good luck!

BodyGlide: http://www.bodyglide.com/ZIProx/locator.cgi
BlisterSheild: http://www.2toms.com/stores.html

 

[sjams]

Thank You! Thank you! Thank you!!!
Just went on their website and found a store just down the road from me. Just didn't know where to start...