Our versatile sports tape is easy to wrap around the body part or hand-tear in strips for use as stirrups, providing extra protection so you or your players FEEL READY for any challenge. Neither duct tape nor moleskin will perform well on wet, sweaty surfaces. They are not particularly skin-friendly and you will have to replace it often. ZINC OXIDE TAPE is non-stretchy, has high tensile strength, strong adhesion and conforms to the skin. Because it doesn’t stretch, it is perfect for immobilising joints or creating changes in muscle, or joint position. IS ZINC OXIDE TAPE GOOD FOR BLISTERS? I chose the taping technique illustrated in the video below, as it covered all my weak points. If you develop hot spots in other places you may need to extend the covered regions. Pre-Taping for Blister Prevention Leukotape is a breathable adhesive sports tape designed to wrap muscles to support and provide stability to injured muscles and joints.

Unless the maximum level of support is required, avoid applying the tape directly to the skin. Applying pre-wrap first, and then using zinc oxide tape over the pre wrap will help to prevent blisters. Experienced race doctor @isitaboutabike who has looked after runners and their feet on 100 mile ultra marathons was hugely helpful and offered lots of excellent advice,

HOW TO TAPE UP

Skin Friendly. If by some chance a blister does form under the tape, when you rip it off, the tape will not tear the roof off the blister and won't remove any skin. Compeed Blister Plasters are a good option – they expand in response to friction to protect the area. Non stretch sports tape is also perfect for foot taping, for example, preventing blisters and arch support taping for Plantar fasciitis. Tan Tape

Ultimate Performance Light Fix Tape is a non-woven, porous adhesive dressing on a roll. It is non stretch and conforms well around joints. Apply it as a base layer underneath zinc oxide tape. For example, patellofemoral pain taping over the patella. Sports Tape II Just as is the case with elastic adhesive tapes, you can determine the quality of a zinc oxide tape based on the following: If you regularly get sore hands or blisters, and particularly if you are setting off on a long outing, it’s worth taping up your hands as a precautionary measure. Do this at home, not two minutes before the outing: use 25 mm zinc oxide tape (Leukoplast is the best), and do it really carefully, stretching it over the hand in all directions and smoothing the edges down so that it stays in place. Take it off again after the outing so that the skin can breathe normally. It may be that the blister is so large that the pressure build up is painful and you feel you really need to pop it. Or, just as likely, you need to run for an event or training and it’s too painful. This is where there is an argument for ‘popping it’. When you run it’s quite likely it will pop anyway, so it may well be safer, and less painful to do this in a controlled, relatively sterile manner at home then you can then dress it afterwards. Or, you could go to your GP or Practice Nurse for them to aspirate and dress it. Again this would be sensible and what I would recommend in an ideal world. I do however know runners, and there is little chance they’d see their GP about a blister! If you do choose to pop your blister at home then wash the foot thoroughly first and use a sterile needle. Most drain and heal naturally on their own. For larger blisters, it may be necessary to pop them. Do this with caution! Follow these guidelines:Keep a loose, relaxed grip when rowing or sculling – this is probably the single most important factor in blister prevention. Allow your hands to “breathe” between strokes. Apply it to the hot spot and rub it gently with your finger to warm it up and help the adhesive set. It’s best to apply several hours before exercise if possible to get a really tight bond, but not strictly necessary. I’ve often applied it while hiking and then resumed my trip without mishap. Notes on Use

Be careful not to apply the tape too tightly as the patient’s blood flow may be restricted. If the patient reports any unusual sensation or loss of feeling, the tape should be removed immediately.Zinc oxide tape is suitable for professional athletes, hikers, sports lovers, physiotherapists and countless more. Due to its antiseptic and stabilising properties, it is commonly used to assist in wound healing, joint stabilisation, prevent injuries and limit bruises and blisters. Nothing can stop your love for movement. When dressing a burst blister don’t remove the surrounding skin (this process is called de-roofing) as it protects the healing skin underneath. Allow the fluid to drain and cover with a dry, sterile dressing. NHS choices recommend hydrocolloid dressings, such as duoderm. They have more info on treating blisters and applying dressings. Zinc Oxide tape is very useful – if the blister is still healing then place a plaster or gauze dressing over it then tape on top. If it has healed and is clean and dry you can usually tape over it. You can also tape on healthy skin to prevent blisters in vulnerable areas. But first, it’s essential we discuss the different phases of blisters as they each require different management. Understanding Blisters in Runners and Hikers

Next, remove some strips (you can just tear it off, no scissors required) of Leukotape from the cover roll and apply them over the ball of your foot, heel, and other susceptible areas. Make sure you’re not forming any creases or leaving any gaps in the areas you’re covering. You don’t want to circle the foot entirely because you don’t want to restrict blood flow. Long distance runners, walkers and particularly soldiers become experts at taping their feet. So what is the best type of tape to use for preventing blister?Ultimate Performance Tan tape is stronger than normal tape. A non stretch rayon based sports tape, ideal for more demanding applications, heavy use joint support. Zinc oxide tends to dry out weeping sores. It has an astringent effect on the skin, shrinks pores and absorbs excess fluids from the surface. Therefore it is a very useful tool to ease bruises and blisters and even prevent sensitive areas like heels and toes from them when applied in advance. Antiseptic and Antibacterial The more powerful adhesive in rigid strapping tapes provides additional support and stability and prevents injury. However, this adhesive may cause medical reactions in certain individuals. In these cases it may be necessary to wear a hypoallergenic fixing bandage between the tape and the skin. Latex Free Zinc Oxide Tape