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. Tiger Tape Zinc Oxide gives you that firm support for joints and muscles, providing restriction of movement or immobilisation, depending on the taping technique applied. This rigid sports tape is great for strapping the knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, wrists, hands and fingers, providing a strong and secure hold so you FEEL READY to perform. Zinc oxide strapping is used quite a lot in sports and is essential to have in any pitchside sports first aid kit . A blister is caused by trauma to the upper layers of skin, normally as a result of a burn. In sport, the most common cause of blisters is friction burns from footwear or equipment rubbing against the skin. This is exacerbated by moisture from sweat or weather conditions. To secure wound dressings in place, especially during sports action when those dressings could otherwise be displaced. Blisters are the bane of a hiker’s life. Even a well-fitted, high-end pair of hiking boots can go bad and cause you issues…usually when you are as far from civilization as it is possible to be!

The normal white zinc oxide tape is easily sufficient for most purposes, however, for long expeditions in wet conditions I recommend Leukotape P tape of 3.8cm. This will stay secure for longer. Heel A blister plaster is designed specifically to act as a second skin. Make sure they are warm and the foot dry before applying, but once they are on properly they should stay in place for 24 hours and be very effective. Feet

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Ensure that boots fit properly, and are broken in. During the breaking-in phase, they will rub, so only wear them for short periods (head to our guide for how to break in hiking boots for more on this).There should be some movement in the boot as you walk. Different lacing up-patterns will keep the heel more or less secure, so experiment until you find the right balance. It also pays to invest in a pair of the best hiking boots you can afford: good quality boots are designed to fit better and can break in faster than cheaper options. Leukotape is a type of sports tape that usually comes in a roll. Initially created for injury prevention and as a rehabilitation tape, it was used as a support adhesive to manage and provide stability to injured muscles and joints. Now, it is most commonly used as the first line in the fight against blisters. Aside from its ability to treat minor skin irritations, Luko tape adhesive bandage strips are excellent for a handful of reasons, including: Protective Another great benefit of using zinc oxide tape is its antiseptic and antibacterial effect on wounds, bruises and blisters. It does not only promote new skin growth and fluid absorption. It additionally helps to destroy bacterial cell membranes through its nanoparticular properties. Zinc Oxide Tape Prevents Movement in Weak Joints If you do get red or painful areas on your hands during an outing, try to loosen or change your grip to avoid a blister developing.

If you injure yourself on the trail while hiking, a roll of Leukotape can save the day. Taping the injured joints, ligaments, or muscles will help prevent any further damage. Using Leukotape to Prevent Blisters Due to its rigid and firm attributes, it promotes stability in weak joints when applied correctly. It is commonly used among athletes and physiotherapists to give extra support to vulnerable body parts. It can also be used to immobilise a joint to prevent pain when undertaking sports and exercise. Protects Skin and Reduces Swelling and Bruising Just as is the case with elastic adhesive tapes, you can determine the quality of a zinc oxide tape based on the following:

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If a blister pops, the skin underneath is exposed and it will not be able to heal. Even worse, if you have not resolved the friction that caused the blister in the first place, the blister will sometimes reform as a painful 'blister on a blister'.

Take care of your footwear. Ensure that shoes fit correctly. Poorly fitting shoes that are either too tight or too big will increase rubbing or friction on the foot and toes. Running shoes should last 6 months or 500 miles. Introduce new shoes gradually and change them before they become too worn out. Look after your walking boots or shoes. Do not leave them on radiators or near heaters. This may cause the leather to shrink and seams to protrude. Taping

What causes a blister?

Leukotape can stay on for at least a day, if not several. However, feet need to breath. The actual recommended length of time is 18 hours. Unlike duct tape, moleskin or any other type of bandage, Leukotape has numerous advantages going for it: