You're excited about your new pair of inline speed skates, but shortly after lacing your boots, your feet start to hurt. Blisters, plantar fasciitis or plantar warts can cause sore feet while wearing your inline speed skates. If foot pain is severe, consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Identification
A blister will start as a reddened area, but after a few hours you will notice a thin layer of skin that is slightly raised and filled with lymph fluid. Depending on the severity of the blister, you will notice a mild discomfort or burning sensation. Inline boots can cause plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is tissue that creates the arch of your foot. If the arch becomes inflamed, you will have foot pain that is worse in the morning and after intense activities. A heel spur will start slow as thickened skin, but will turn into a bump that is warm to the touch.
Causes
Foot pain associated with your inline speed skating boot often results from a poor fit that causes friction -- the boot rubbing on your feet, resulting in blisters or a heel spur. Not wearing socks while wearing your boot also can produce blisters. If the seams inside your boot are not flat, this can also cause friction directly on your foot. If the boot does not have sufficient support for your arch, especially if you're flat-footed or have a high arch, plantar fasciitis can develop. If it feels as though you have a rock in your boot, this could be from a plantar wart caused by human papillomavirus.
Treatment
A plantar wart will go away with treatment, which can include freezing, chemical applications, surgical removal or laser. If you have a large, painful blister, drain the excess fluid. Draining the fluid involves sterilizing a needle with a flame and poking a small hole in the blister. Do not remove skin because it offers protection. Thoroughly clean your blister and apply a dressing or blister plaster. Tape the affected area. For all pain, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen and avoid inline skating until the area heals. Your doctor may recommend heel stretches, corticosteroid injections or surgery for plantar fasciitis. A heel spur will often disappear with rest, but surgery may be necessary in severe cases.
Prevention
Slight discomfort may occur while you break in a new pair of inline speed skates. If you notice tightness or a lack of support, you need new skates. If you're unable to find skates that offer adequate support, a custom made insert may be necessary. To avoid blisters, change your socks regularly and put powder in your boot to minimize sweating. Smear petroleum jelly on blister-prone areas and wear double socks. To prevent plantar fasciitis, stretch your ankle, achilles tendon and calves regularly. To prevent plantar warts, never walk barefoot in public.
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