Let’s Talk Blisters – Oh She Glows

A bad blister can take all the fun out of a good run!

I am in desperate need of help.

Here is my problem:

Ever since I have worked out, I have always had a problem with blisters. No matter what brand or type of sneakers I have tried (and boy have I tried LOTS!), I always always get blisters. Even after they are broken in.

And get this- the blisters are always on my RIGHT FOOT. The left foot is free of blisters!

I even went to a podiatrist and got custom orthotics hoping that they would finally help my blister problem, but they didn’t.

All of my sneakers, in the right heel only, get a small hole in the heel from rubbing! This friction is a vicious cycle as you can imagine.

Here I am before my run not knowing what was going to become of my poor right heel!

As you can see in the picture below, the hole is in the right heel. Over time, this hole will get bigger and bigger if I don’t find a way to fix this problem.

The hole:

So on my run today I got an excruciating blister on my right heel. It was so horrible I was almost limping in pain and had to turn back! It really sucked because I was having one of those awesome runs in the sunshine and feeling AH-MAZING!

Check out my views:

I told you I didn’t want to head back home!!!

I have a feeling that this blister/worn right heel has something to do with my right foot being a different size than my left foot. I actually bought these same pair of sneakers in a smaller size and wore the smaller size on the right foot.

It didn’t help!

I have been to running stores and been fitted but nothing has helped thus far.

I am out of ideas and I am hoping that someone knows of a suggestion, tip, or answer! I don’t want to be in pain all summer long. Something has to be out there to help…?

Also, my blister is now raw and burning with pain. Any tips on healing a blister fast??

The run:

Distance: 3.9 miles
Duration: 38 mins.
Avg pace: 9.55 min/mile
Max pace: 8:08 min/mile
max heart rate: 171 bpm
Avg heart rate: 154 bpm
Feel the burn: 335 kcals

This was my longest and best run post-injury by a landslide! I felt really great and pain free, well aside from that blister! haha. There’s always something isn’t there??? :) I am going to do Polly’s Yoga for Runners now.

I appreciate any help you can give me regarding the blisters and ill fitting shoes! :)

Today’s question: Do you suffer from blisters while working out?

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Amy

15 years ago

Hey there.. I didn’t read all the other comments, but try the double layer socks from the Running Room.

They work like a charm!

carrie

I swear by Body Glide and Wright socks. Wright socks have two thin layers. Doubling socks never worked for me because of they way they move around. Ran and did marathon training in Wright socks and Body Glide. Good luck.

Asta Sigrun

Dear Angela- first time I comment, but I actually have a wee solution for your problem. I used to get blisters all the time, but now what I do is that I wear nylon socks (like 40den)- you know the ones that go up to your knee (they also come shorter). I actually don´t put them up that high, I just roll them down but the socks really work. A friend of mine who runs the 100km marathons uses this as her magic trick.
I usually wear either ones that have holes in them or have a sibling that got lost in washing or something- my mom keeps me in supply. If you buy the black ones you dont look silly haha I know it sounds strange but it works- they let you glide easier within the shoe- hence no more blisters:) Best of luck, and I love your website!
Kind regards
Asta

Military and AT hiker – MOLESKIN!!!!!!!!!!

Fitzalan

I have the same thing happen with me…and mine is definitely because my feet are almost an entire size different. I broke my ankle in 5th grade and I guess that foot just quit growing then.

I wear EXCELLENT socks. That is the only thing I can find that helps. They are soft but wick. The wetter my feet get, the more blister prone they are.

The quickest way to get rid of them…let them be and try to wear flipflops so that they can air-out/dry out.

Oh how I feel your blister pain!

Happiness Awaits

Jason

We manufacture a miracle blister product called “ENGO Patches” (www.GoENGO.com). ENGO is a thin, low-friction patch that sticks directly to your shoe, not on your skin. The patches slide smoothly against your skin, so blisters never form.

No more messy creams, powders, thick pads or tape…

Give ENGO a try – free of charge: http://www.goengo.com/try4free.

Netsy

Just stumbled across this post while Google searching for something else. I too get that worn-out spot in the back of all my running shoes!

Some shoe brands have more padding around the heel, some have less. I’ve found that the ones with more padding have caused fewer problems for my heel, even though that one spot still wears through. Asics and Brooks are two brands which tend to be more padded back there.

I’ve also found that simply running more often tends to thicken the skin around the heel “nub” which creates that worn spot, creating a callus there which can handle the rubbing without any problems. I still get those holes in my heels of my right shoes, but the “nub” hasn’t bothered me in years, even in marathons and ultramarathons.

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