To prevent blisters, it is necessary to take steps to protect the skin before doing something that could cause a blister. For instance, before going out in the sun, apply sunblock to prevent blisters caused by a sunburn. When wearing new shoes, attempt to break them in first by wearing them only for short periods of time, and apply adhesive bandages to areas where blisters are common, such as on the backs of the heels or underneath the toes.
Taking steps to prevent blisters will help to prevent pain as well as potential infection and scarring later on, if the blister breaks and bacteria gets in. A sunburn that causes blisters is an extremely severe sunburn, and may even be accompanied by sun poisoning, and can later be a cause of skin cancer. For this reason, it is important to apply sunblock every day before going out in the sun, and to reapply it throughout the day. This is especially true if one is doing physical activity that causes sweating, or swimming, both of which can wash off the sunblock.
Ill-fitting shoes are another leading cause of blisters. In order to prevent blisters from shoes, be sure to purchase shoes that fit properly, and which are not too large or too small. Shoes that are improperly sized will typically cause more friction against the skin from moving back and forth, which can quickly lead to blisters. Sometimes new shoes that fit properly will also cause blisters; in this case, it might be necessary to apply adhesive bandages to the areas where the shoes are rubbing on the skin, until the shoes are properly broken in and fitted to the feet.
Prevent blisters when working with the hands by wearing gloves. For instance, people who work in construction and use power tools, or even people who enjoy hobbies such as gardening, will often experience blisters on the hands due to repetitive use with certain tools. Gloves will help to protect the hands from blisters or even worse injuries. In addition, always use heat protective gloves when taking items in and out of the oven while cooking, for example, which is a good way to prevent blisters from burns. If a blister does occur, it is important to protect it; the blister acts as a natural bandage for the skin and prevents bacteria from getting in, which can lead to infection and scarring.
