CBRC

So I don't really get blisters very often but one developed on the inside of my big toe on Saturday. I'm attributing it to the cliff-like dirt hills we ran on, b/c I had on my usual good padded socks. Anyway, it doesn't really hurt much, just a little when I run, but it's also not healing at all. Should I cover it, ignore it, block out the friction... when I run? I'd really like it to not get worse, but continuing to run is not doing anything to make it better. Ideas? Thx.

Ouch! I have had a few blisters and the ones between toes are painful. I have left some alone and covered with a bandaid if needed. I developed one late in a long run back in Sept. and I felt it rubbing between toes as I ran. It was so big, that I popped/drained it with a sterilized needle but left the skin intact to cover the raw inside of the blister (and use neosporin or triple abx. oint.) I got my blisters wearing socks that were too thin I'm pretty sure. Some of mine took a while to go away, seems like a week or so for the big ones and some smaller ones just seemed to eventually thicken into a lovely callous. Hope this helps some.

Oh, disgusting, I'm not popping it!

Thanks for the info on covering it, though, maybe I'll try it for this afternoon's run. I'd rather try something new for 10 today than 20 Friday. Wish I'd thought to try covering it for yesterday's 5!

So I tried the duct tape yesterday for my 20 and am sad to report that the blister actually got bigger.

Think there's just not much you can do to help a blister when it's subjected to 3+ hours of running. I'll continue to follow Mike's advice, though, and continue to tape it. I was also surprised that the duct tape came off with my sock. I guess the 3+ hours of friction and foot sweat (ewwww) wore down the adhesive.

BTW, my blister is now so big that I'm calling it my eleventh toe. (Another ewwww.....)

I've had big blisters on the ends of toes, in the past -- I was always happy when they finally popped, b/c then the pressure was relieved. Hope yours pops and heals soon...

Amy wrote:BTW, my blister is now so big that I'm calling it my eleventh toe. (Another ewwww.....)

WOW!!... and Gross. but WOW! I haven't had one that bad. My left big toe has a beautiful reddish pressure blister under the nail right now. It's old and not painful now. Seriously I hope yours heals, shrinks or whatever to not cause you any problems.

So for all of you following the saga of my blister, I apologize for not providing an update sooner. I know that my blister woes are somewhat akin to daytime TV for the "hooked on grossness" crowd on this forum.

It has neither grown nor shrunk since my last post (Oct 25). It has survived several runs and two bike rides with no signs of doing anything but just hanging around on my toe. No pain, no popping, no shrinking, no growing.

I'm probably a candidate for one of those medical shows on the Discovery Channel. I doubt anyone else can boast having a blister of this size for 2.5 weeks. What ailed me a week ago is now a source of pride.

Yay, Amy's blister, go run a great marathon.

Can I subscribe for email notifications as Amy's blister goes through the miles of the marathon?

Thanks Amy. Now all I can think of is the part in Run, Fat Boy, Run when the pop the giant blister. Very gross.

I aim to please.

Here's the deal. I've done extensive research on blisters through my own trials and tribulations. Once fluid builds up below the skin and creates the bubble commonly know as a blister, that skin is dead, separated from the normal place it should be. The pocket of juice it is holding in can only separate more skin and make the problem bigger over time. Leaving it un-popped can be painful but worse just delays the healing that needs to happen once the fluid is gone. So take a shower, put your foot over a towel and pop the blister with nice sharp tweezers or something. Then make sure all the stuff comes out. No need to do anything else right away, but all the skin that was stretched into the bubble is again, dead skin, and will either peel off over time or you can cut it off. Of course the skin underneath stings as any cut would, but that goes away over time.

If I get them, it's usually after a very long run, and I usually pop them following the shower after that run. I've found that using Zinc Oxide (yes the stuff that goes on your nose to prevent sunburn, get it at CVS) is very effective to speed the healing of a popped blister, esp. in the middle of the foot. Use it under a bandage. It will feel good after a day or two and can be run on the next day, esp. if bandaged up with Zinc Oxide.

Bottom line is the sooner you get the skin underneath the blister to start healing and become the outside skin it will become, the better.

Vic

Amy, I think we need a picture....

Not to worry, soon there will be live streaming media on my BlisterCam site.

Dear Diary,

As of this writing, the blister has almost left this world. It made an impressive and rapid deflation overnight last night and during the day today. I was unaware of its demise until I took off my shoe and sock to proudly show it to Mike this afternoon. Although, he did agree that from what he could tell, it had been an impressive blister, and it was noted that 2.5 weeks with such a large blister is impressive. I find myself using the word impressive quite a lot when describing this oddity. That really does seem to be the most fitting word.

RIP my dear blister: Oct 18 - Nov 5. (dramatic sigh)

And by the way, usually it takes much more than that to get me to take off my shoe and sock. He could have at least bought me a drink before asking to see my blister. Geez. If anyone next week asks to see the callous that by then will have replaced the blister, it's going to take a little more than just asking. C'mon now, a girl's gotta have her standards.

To all the loyal fans and followers of my blister, I thank you for your interest and concerns. We'll have to see what the next season brings, as I fear this ailment won't be featured on re-runs for several more years.

I have no life and spend way too much time on this forum. This is what the short dark days of the time change have done to me. (another dramatic sigh)