A guide to keeping your feet blister-free this summer

One of the most annoying summer problems is painful blisters on your feet and toes. Blisters can be defined as a small pocket of fluid that forms because of friction. We got in touch in with Preeti Seth, wellness expert, to understand why blisters occur and how we can get respite from them.

WHY YOU GET BLISTERS

1) Sweat: Sweating is one reason that causes blisters on the feet during summers. It usually happens when the sweat clogs the pores in the feet. If you are going to wear shoes for a long period of hours, then make sure that you air your shoes before wearing them.

2) Ill-fitted shoes: Your shoes should not be too tight or too lose. If your shoes aren’t the right fit, then chances are that feet will rub against the shoe causing friction, which in turn leads to blisters.

3) Damp feet: If your feet are damp, then your skin is more vulnerable to blisters in summers. Make sure to dry your skin by cleaning your feet properly and applying talcum powder.

4) Wearing shoes without socks: One of the biggest mistakes you can make during summer is wearing shoes without socks. Wearing socks reduces the friction between your feet and the shoes. Without socks, the chances of getting blisters are quite high.

HOW TO TREAT THEM

Moisturise your feet before wearing shoes. You can use petroleum jelly. If the blister is small, then to prevent it from becoming big, apply a bandaid on it before you wear shoes. Apart from that, a lukewarm Epsom salt bath helps to dry blisters and reduce swelling. You can also opt for aloe vera as it’s antibacterial and antiinflammatory.

IF YOU NEED TO, POP THE BLISTER

Avoid picking off the top layer of the blister as it leaves it open for germs. Wash your hands and clean the surface of the blister with an alcoholsoaked cotton pad. Sterilise a sewing needle over an open flame and cautiously poke the blister. Let the fluid ooze out, pat clean it and flatten the blister.

IF YOUR FEET ARE DAMP, THEN YOUR SKIN IS MORE VULNERABLE TO BLISTERS

PHOTOS: ISTOCK Petroleum jelly and aloe vera gel help in soothing feet affected by blisters