Gel Heel Protectors, Clear

Product Information

Once in position though, you can say goodbye to blisters. In fact, they’re so effective I suspect shoe manufacturers will eventually start including something similar in the soles of all their shoes. There are a couple of downsides though. First, these plasters aren’t designed for use after you get a blister so there’s no cushioning or sterile pad like you get with Compeed. Thankfully though, there are several very effective products that you can use to protect your feet from the ravages of blisters, most of which prevent the rubbing from occurring by adding a barrier between the foot and the shoe. There are so many brands of foot care products it’s difficult to know where to start, but here in the UK the company Compeed has long been the go-to for long-distance walkers. Second, the glue doesn’t last as long as Compeed patches and I generally got two days max use out of them before they peeled off, although in the long run these KT Tape plasters still work out as the cheaper option.

WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE & DISCREET: keeps natural moisture in and germs out, with translucent edges to help blend to the skin If you feel localized heat in your foot when walking it’s usually the first indication that you’re about to get a blister. This fluid – called serum – cushions and protects the layers of exposed skin and encourages new skin to grow. Blisters will disappear on their own, usually within five days. The body’s first reaction is to cover the exposed separated skin with a sterile fluid which encourages new skin to grow. That being said, they won’t peel off like plasters and they won’t wear off like anti-blister creams and powders, and they also provide cushioning if you tend to put a lot of impact pressure on your heels.The heel shouldn’t ride up and down when you walk and there should be at least half an inch from the end of your longest toe to the inside tip of the shoe. The best course of action is to take steps to reduce the possibility of getting them in the first place, but if you do end up getting one or two the following products should help no end.

If you feel the blister needs to be drained consult with your GP who will be able to release the fluid with a sterilized needle while keeping as much of the skin intact as possible. They will also cover the blister with a protective ointment and cover the wound with a dressing which will help prevent bacteria from entering it. Second, they contain a special hydrocolloid gel (which provides moistness) to encourage new skin growth and I have to say whenever I’ve had a blister they always seem to heal faster in a Compeed patch than when I just leave them open to the air, admittedly because whenever I do that the fluid bubble inevitably pops too early. To fit them, you have to position the patch exactly on your insole in the location where it rubs, which is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the best way to find this out is actually get a blister so you can then take the insole out and position your foot on it to see where the patch has to go. Ultra-durable - 100% engineered synthetic fiber tape is specially designed to stand up to the rigors and harsh conditions facing Elite athletes during training and competition Infected blisters are very painful and can become very dangerous if left untreated as the infection can easily spread to other parts of the body. It can even turn into a life-threatening illness if sepsis develops. Not good when you’re on a long-distance hike miles from the nearest chemist or medical centre.Well… no, they don’t, and my faith in cheapo plasters disappeared completely after a friend recommended Compeed which are superior in every possible way, which is why I now happily recommend them to everyone.

Each patch has a hard-wearing but very smooth coating so your foot doesn’t suffer from shear friction which is the biggest cause of foot blisters. Before doing any prodding and poking make sure your hands are thoroughly cleaned with soap and water and preferably give them an additional rinse with antibacterial gel. Unfortunately, the raw skin under this bubble of fluid can become very sore to the touch, and if the bubble bursts there is a chance it can become infected.Third, I’ve now learnt that by placing these patches on my heel before I go for a walk I never get heel blisters in the first place, which my beloved Berghaus boots (link to my review) are prone to giving me. Sure, it means spending an extra couple of quid each time I go for a long walk, but they stay on for up to a week meaning one pair could last an entire holiday. Blisters are bubbles of fluid that form under the top layers of skin when excessive friction causes the layers to separate. So that’s the process of getting a blister, which probably doesn’t sound all that bad if you’ve never suffered from them, but if you have you’ll know how painful they are and how much they can impact your walking adventures.