I always get horrible blisters no matter what I do .... any tips?

[dgaston]

For Phamton: last August I got the dreaded "Epcotitis" on both of my legs. It looked like an angry red rash above my sock line halfway up both shins. We stopped at First Aid, and the CM explained that it was really tiny hemorrages in the skin. She said it was worse at Epcot, perhaps because of all the pavement. She also said creams, ointments like hydrocortisone wouldn't help at all. She suggested making sure to spend time in cool water during any break in the day. She said women and larger persons were more likely to experience it.

I alternate my NB walking shoes, Tevas, and Nike Straprunners. I did get a blister on the side of my big toe after walking in wet sandals one afternoon, and the Johnson Blister Care product solved all of my problems.

 

[jtjcwise]

I always get blisters on both feet.

However, when we went in June, I had no blisters at all!

I used a product from Avon that helps keep your feet dry (and smelling good also). Also, I changed shoes every other day. I ran out of the foot stick from Avon on the last day and used antiperspirant which helped but not as good as the Avon product, and it left my feet terribly dry.

Going back in March, and am planning on odrdering the foot sticks from Avon to last the whole trip.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by dgaston
For Phamton: last August I got the dreaded "Epcotitis" on both of my legs. It looked like an angry red rash above my sock line halfway up both shins. We stopped at First Aid, and the CM explained that it was really tiny hemorrages in the skin. She said it was worse at Epcot, perhaps because of all the pavement. She also said creams, ointments like hydrocortisone wouldn't help at all. She suggested making sure to spend time in cool water during any break in the day. She said women and larger persons were more likely to experience it.

Thanks so much! Everytime I explain it, people say it must be a heat rash. Well I know it wasn't a heat rash and not prickly heat as it had no bumps and the rash was under the skin. I have had heat rash on my chest before and it was definitely not that. It also wasn't sunburn as it was at night. I wasn't even hot and my legs were not sweaty and besides my legs would have been hotter under my socks where no rash occured. This started above my sockline and went halfway up my shin. It did look like broken capillaries. Luckily they went away within a few days.

I've never had it before this year but have had it several times this summer in visits to Universal and WDW. I'm not heavy but do have fairskin and am reaching menopause.

Bev

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by jtjcwise
I always get blisters on both feet.

However, when we went in June, I had no blisters at all!

I used a product from Avon that helps keep your feet dry (and smelling good also). Also, I changed shoes every other day. I ran out of the foot stick from Avon on the last day and used antiperspirant which helped but not as good as the Avon product, and it left my feet terribly dry.

Going back in March, and am planning on odrdering the foot sticks from Avon to last the whole trip.

I just did a search for this product and I couldn't find it! It seems that it's either discontinued or out of stock??

Sounds very interesting!

I just bought the Bodyglide that someone here suggested. I can't wait to try it out!

 

[Liz]

Another blister prone person here. I have tried the spray deoderant, moleskin, two pair of thin socks, and switching shoes. All have helped a little but not totally prevented blisters. I totally relate to those who had their 15 min. of blister prevention/treatment before going to the parks.

The only thing that I've found that worked miracles was finally taking advice I read here on the boards and buying Teva sandals. I also bought a pair of New Balance tennis shoes to alternate with the Tevas, but I found myself choosing the sandals almost every day. I'm dreading the approach of winter now because I'll have to take off my Tevas!!! They are the BEST!!!

 

[Eiblis]

ok....first trip to disney was beginning of this month..8 hr flight from uk to start it.

Having read previous threads I had bought Teva sandals for myself and Merrills for my DH and DD's......they didnt like the Tevas.
Not one blister in two weeks amongst us...
DD's started by wearing sneakers but soon switched to the sandals and stayed in them for the rest of the holiday. So comfy and cool.
Cant thank ppl here enough for putting me onto these great sandals.....and I have been known as Blister Queen in the past too....not this time tho.

 

[beattyfamily]

Anymore great tips?

 

[CHIPSTER]

I always make sure my shoes are fit properly and broken in so I don't have the blister problem any more. I also take 2 pairs of good sneakers and alternate them.

What did help in the past though was spray on deodorant. Keeps the feet dry and blisters did not form. If you use this take along some good foot cream and the skin on your feet will get really dry.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

This may only work for PI but it helped me

I pre band aided some places that usually get blisters and wore my most broken in(but still good looking) dancing shoes

 

[SuBeat]

I feel like I have found my people!

I did not take the whole blister issue seriously on our first trip, and paid the price. DH was completely serious when he suggested getting me a wheelchair...I decided to hobble around instead. For trip #2, I bought New Balance shoes several months in advance to get them nice and broken in, cushioned walking socks, plenty of moleskin, AND Band Aid Blister Relief gel pads.

As we headed out the first morning, I carefully placed the moleskin on my problem area from the previous year....the balls of my feet. Wouldn't you know it, this time I got blisters on my TOES? Instead of one big blister on each foot, I had several tiny ones on my toes.

Since the moleskin sticks, I put a band aid on each problem toe, then covered it with the moleskin. But, in trying to protect and cushion my poor little toes, I bulked up my foot, making my shoes feel too tight. Fortunately, I had brought along an ancient pair of Reebok walking shoes in case of rainy days...I thought they were too broken down to handle a full day of walking. I was wrong. They were just what my pitiful feet needed and got me through the rest of the trip in relative comfort.

I just wanted to share my experience and thank all of you for the great tips. I'll be trying some of them when we return to the World in December.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to read this entire thread, so I don't know if this has been posted already & I don't know from personally experience, but I do remember reading a guest saying they use aerosol [underarm] antiperspirant [sp?] on their *feet*...they said moisture contributed to the blisters...& it worked.

Hope this helps you!

 

[Golter]

I am a marathon runner and here is my advice to help reduce blisters. About 6 weeks before you leave I would buy walking shoes from a runners store (not footlocker) they will properly measure your feet and can make a reccomendation as to what shoe is best for you. They will also reccomend socks. Once they make the reccomendation buy two identical pairs. (yes 2) When I train for a marathon I actually have to buy 3. Alternate those pairs of shoes each day as you "train" for your trip. (get to where you can walk 6 miles without stopping, that will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours) Do not over do it at first, you feet will get comfortable in those shoes and will not blister on your trip. You need to alternate those shoes to give them a chance to dry out. Moisture is your enemy.

 

[beattyfamily]

bumping since summer is here! I think this thread has a lot of very valuable information on how to prevent blisters.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

These tips are sensational. I really like the idea of alternating shoes.

I'm another person who gets blisters easily. My feet are covered with little scars from blisters past I get them everywhere....top of foot, back of heel, all over the toes.

I bought a pair of birkenstocks and problem solved. I could walk in them all day and the leather is soft enought that it doesn't bother my toes too much. And the best thing is there is no heel. The heel is the worst.

They aren't the most fashionable shoes, but who cares?

 

[Epcotgal8]

My feet started hurting just reading this. I definitely go prepared. I've never really had a problem in WDW but a couple of years ago I was at Texas Motor Speedway reporting on the race weekend and you have to wear closed toed shoes to be in pitlane and I still wanted something that looked decent with Capri pants so I wore a pair of Keds with no socks. I walked up and down pit lane so much I had blisters that were bleeding. I put on bandaids and they would come off every 20 minutes. And I had TWO days of doing this left! I went back to the hotel and soaked my feet in the jacuzzi which helped them heal a little (although OUCH when I first put my feet in). I learned a valuable lesson about foot comfort needing to come before vanity!

 

[Poohbear123]

I am bringring 3 pairs of shoes on my next 3 day trip.

 

[suevee]

When we went in February I moleskinned the hot areas (toes and balls of Feet), used antiperspirant, bought special walking socks at $7 a pair, and changed shoes. NO BLISTERS! I was happy and thought I had found the secret.

At the end of May, I was confident I could conquer the blisters. I did exactly what I did in February. The only difference in Feb. we stayed 11 days, in May we only stayed 4 days. Guess what? BLISTERS were back. My conclusion is my feet just sweat to much in the heat. I did try Tevas but I even got blisters with them!!!

 

[DonnaSue]

I think the key is finding what works for YOU!!!! I could not believe that I found my answer in Tevas - sandals!! I would have never guessed that would work better for me than the running shoes. I have tried so many different shoes and FINALLY have found what works for me. I brought several pairs of shoe on my recent 7-day trip, but I ende up wearing only my Tevas!!! The did great!!! I have even been wearing them at home for my evening walks, which are from 3 to 5 miles daily (depending on how much time I have). The fact that Tevas (Pretty Ruggeds) were the answer for me has just really surprised me!!!

All of this advise is GREAT!!!

Donna

 

[disneyholic family]

i swear by my well broken in suede birkenstock sandals....
no blisters....

 

[mickeyfan2]

I highly recommend Body Glide. I bought it at EMS (Easten Mountain Sports). I put it onto my blister and could continue with no more blisters. I would recommend putting it on before your socks. Take it with you in case you need to use it again. It is about 3"x4"x1" in size.