Duct Tape to Prevent Blisters - Crazy Idea?

[Schmeck]

What does your doctor recommend? I would think that chronic foot blisters would be something you'd go to a doctor to have taken care of? It would be awful if it was from an underlying medical condition, and was easy to cure, but it was just ignored. There's so much walking at WDW, I can't imagine doing it all with blistered feet.

 

[mrsksomeday]

You can also get Body Glide online. I get mine from Amazon.

 

[chmurf]

I've heard people talk about moleskin, but I've only seen it at sporting goods stores and it is expensive.

you can find it everywhere. CVS, Target, Publix, and even at your Disneyworld resort hotel.
It's a bit expensive, but it works well. DW is very blister prone, she started putting moleskin on points of friction, and she got through our 3 weeks trip with no problem.
Wearing crocs is also a good adive.

 

[Experiment_626]

I put moleskin on a couple of particularly trouble-prone spots on one foot, and then slather BodyGlide generously all over my feet. Haven't had a blister on the last four trips, which is how long I've been following that regimen.

SSB

 

[FigNewton]

Moleskin rubs of my feet just as quickly as bandaids. Body Glide is the best thing for me, combined with Cool-Max athletic socks and switching between two different pairs of shoes on alternating days.

May sound like a lot and truthfully I'm not that blister prone. But when I do get hit by blisters I get hit bad. Had one on my little toe prior to starting this routine that developed into the size of a grape three days into a 6 day vacation.

Body Glide can be expensive, like $10 a stick, and good socks aren't cheap, nevermind a second pair of shoes if you don't already have a second broken in pair waiting to go. But if you are prone to blisters its worth it avoid walking around on blisters during your even more expensive vacation.

 

[Kate and Family]

If your very expensive trip to Disney is ruined because you did not get moleskin or BodyGlide - then you have paid dearly - much more than buying an expensive item to give your feet relief.
Try the duct tape at home - I think you will see what others here have said.
Have a super trip! I am hoping for Nov-Dec.

 

[actnew]

I got a pair of wright socks, they are antiblister socks and they work really well. They are pretty expensive and hard to find but they have them on amazon or at sports stores . . My niece is very blister prone and told me to get them, she wore them when she ran cross country and track. I think the body glide sounds good though, I will have to try that.

 

[Moms]

My daughter swears by duct tape ... however she has only used it extensively for wilderness walking, backpacking, etc in heavy hiking boots. For the lighter fare you will most likely use at WDW I have found that a combination of a "body glide" type product (you can find it in the bandaid aisle at CVS ... can't off hand remember the name) and frequent shoe switches (ie: morning: my tevas, after lunch: crocs flip-flops, evening: birkenstocks ... and so on). This has worked for me and I have always had foot and blister problems.

 

[Dismamx2]

Hi, I'm glad to hear Bodyglide is so recommended. I've just purchased this for our first trip to WDW in June. I am not so much a blister sufferer but I get irritated and red patches etc from shoes rubbing my feet in the heat.
Can I ask when and how you apply it? Do you put on sunscreen first and then apply Bodyglide over? Do you apply this straight from the stick-rubbing it onto the areas you want covered or rub it off with your finger and apply it?
Sorry if that sounds dumb but don't want to risk not applying it properly and it not being effective.
TIA

 

[Sunshinepixie27]

I have found that the foot section at Walmart is well stocked in moleskin and a blister block stick made by J&J (my family calls it "foot lube".) We "lube up" before heading out to the parks and bring it along with us for touch ups through out the day. Works like a champ!

 

[csm101]

Moleskin is the best, In Canada it's widely available. Duct tape? not sure about that. Did you know the glue can be used to kill warts? A barrier of some sort is better than nothing. Always wear socks, and try to keep your feet dry. You need a corn pad something that has some padding. an anti-biotic ointment cant hurt either,

 

[MrsLS]

I used moleskin and I like the padded kind, not the thin kind. It really works. I use it before I get the blisters, from the first day and use it all week. I put it on the spots I know i usually get blisters. I can't stress how much it works, at least for me.

 

[saturn5]

I had this problem when I would hike when I was in Boy Scouts. I used a plastic bag (Walmart, Publix etc), put my foot in the bag, then used the duct tape to tape it up. It cut down on the rubbing and I was blister free!

 

[bellanotte10]

As long as you don't try to use it after you have a blister I see no problem. If you have a blister then try to put duct tape on it, careful taking it off put a cotton ball or something over the blister. (i speak from experience)

They also have blister foot specific band-aids... with the little wings, that i found to be AWESOME and my feet HATE band-aids, but these stayed there no problems. I got mine from Universal's first aid, after I got a blister with my flip flops. They were a life saver.

 

[catne]

moleskin after you have a blister (to shield the blister itself from more rubbing) But the special blister-healing band-aids work even better than moleskin.

HOWEVER, if you use Body Glide (or Blister Block, usually found near the band-aids in bigger pharmacy departments) anyway, if you use one of these products first you will not need blister band-aids or moleskin. You totally coat your foot, all surfaces top, bottom and sides (including tops of toes!) The stuff goes on dry-feeling, similar to the dry roll-on deodorant/antiperspirants. Just make sure your feet are dry, and add a new dose of Body Glide every time you put shoes on while on vacation. I actually carry a small Blister Block in my park bag in case anyone starts feeling a "hot spot" developing on a missed spot! We have introduced this product to virtually everyone we've taken to the parks (1/2 dozen people) and everyone has been amazed at how well the stuff works. We've converted a bunch of people...even have contacted us later when they have new shoes to ask "where did you get that stuff to prevent blisters"

To the person asking about Body Glide & sunscreen...don't put the Body Glide on your fingers, you just roll the Body Glide on (like you roll-on deodorant, only it's on your feet)...you don't need sunscreen inside your shoes. If you're going swimming or whatever and will have shoes off, put sunscreen on for being barefoot/swimming. Later, when your feet are dry and you're getting ready to put shoes on, re-apply the Body Glide.

 

[Geoff_M]

My solution for blister-prone situations is to go to a sporting goods store and buy sock liners. These are very thin socks that you wear under your normal pair of socks and are made out of 100% man-made materials. It basically allows your outsider sock to slide over the liner instead of your skin. The main advantages are that you don't have to worry about your feet over-heating or your feet feeling cramped due to wearing two regular pairs of socks.

 

[Couchy]

I have super sensitive feet... BODY GLIDE

This stuff works wonders, seriously. No blisters, no hotspots. All the other options can sweat off or bunch( band aids, moleskin). Body glide is applied to the foot and then is just there. Nothing to bunch up or fall off.

 

[pfalcioni]

Duct Tape adhesive is not designed for contact with skin, many people are allergic to some of the ingredients - namely rubber.

Also, in areas where you have delicate skin, if the adhesion is good (which it usually is not), you will need WD-40 or some other lubricant with good wicking properties (it is able to "suck in" to the sticky parts and do its job) to remove the tape.

Blister Block for areas that are prone to "friction blisters" (back of the heel, etc.).

Use moleskin (which is not expensive - buy it at Walmart) for after a blister shows up (cut a hole in the center of the moleskin and it will surround the blister like a padded cushion and keep the blister from getting any pressure on it.

If your blisters are on the pads of your feet, they are caused by pressure. Shoes with better support and plenty of venting along with good socks may help you avoid these. However, if you are relatively sedentary in your normal life, then walk 8+ miles a day on pavement at DW, your foot pads have no calluses and you'll unfortunately develop blisters. No tape or other method will keep you from developing these types of blisters, however, the moleskin can keep them from getting worse or hurting as much.

 

[2dogmom]

I use stick deodorant on my feet and it keeps the blisters away. I had a friend try and it worked for her too.

 

[keishashadow]

i always get a blister despite using body glide in the exact same spot on both feet (ball of front of foot below big toe). My podiatrist said it's due to how i walk to compensate for plantar fas issues over the years.

I do still apply body glide over all other parts of feet but find the large doughnut blister foam things you can buy in the dollar store applied in the correct spot (before the inevitable blister pops up) secured by a piece of gauze and cloth tape works best for me...she of sweaty feet

i also bring spare padded socks into the parks (which i wear with both crocs and my new balance tennies) and change mid day, feels heavenly to put on a new pair.