Hiking is an enjoyable way to spend a day in the great outdoors, taking in the beauty of nature. But if you develop a heel blister, hiking can quickly become a real pain. Heel blisters occur due to the friction of your sock or shoe against the skin. Because walking is difficult to avoid, heel blisters are more troublesome to treat than blisters on other areas of the body. While there's little you can do once blisters form, you can treat and protect them so that they don't get worse or infected.
Step 1
Decide whether to prick the blister or leave it alone. MotherNature.com advises to prick large, painful heel blisters and leave small, painless blisters alone. If the blister is too small to drain, cover it with a bandage during the day while you are walking and wearing shoes, and leave it uncovered at night so it can be exposed to air, which will help it heal.
Step 2
Sterilize the area if you decide to drain the blister. Also sterilize whatever item you are using to pierce the skin. A pin works best. Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad to clean both the heel area and the pin.
Step 3
Insert the pin or needle into the side of the blister so that it pierces the skin. Remove the pin and press gently on the top of the blister until all the liquid drains out. Do not remove the covering of skin over the blister.
Step 4
Apply Neosporin or another germ-fighting ointment or solution to the area.
Step 5
Cover the blister with an adhesive band, or with a gauze pad if the band is not big enough. Change the bandage after showering or if fluid is still draining from the blister. Remove the bandage at night to allow the healing blister to breathe.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid hiking until the blisters are completely healed, or make a moleskin doughnut to protect the area during activity.
Things You'll Need
- Pin
- Cotton pad
- Rubbing alcohol
- Neosporin
- Bandage
