Prevent and treat bubbles while hiking

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don't let your time outdoors spoil you out of the open injury. Our guideline for preventing bubbles keeps you on Trot

No matter whether you are an experienced trekker or a newcomer on the hiking trails, you will suffer from one of the most common hiking injuries without exception. In order to help you minimize the risk, we have put together easy instructions for the prevention and treatment of bubbles when hiking.

How to prevent bubbles

When it comes to bubbles, preventing is always better than healing. Knowing how to prevent bubbles saves them later.

What causes bubbles?

bubbles develop to protect damaged skin and to help her recover as part of the body's natural healing process. They can be caused by allergies, skin diseases, burns or even insect bites and spider bites - but by far the most common cause is friction.

A woman rubs the feet Hectic00/Shutterstock blisters are often caused by friction

When hiking, bubbles usually arise when their boots and/or socks rub on their feet, which leads to friction hotspots. The resistance causes the thick layers of skin to be released from the sensitive inner layers. Fluid then fills the gap between layers of the skin and a bladder forms.

bubbles occur when one of the following cases occurs:

  • printing: a narrow area of ​​a boot or a fold in a sock can generate a hotspot
  • direct friction: wherever a force rubs or glides repeatedly on the skin, there may be a bladder
  • moisture: moist or sweaty skin is softer and more susceptible to damage caused by friction

Select the right footwear

badly sitting shoes cause bubbles, so make sure that your hiking shoes or boots fit properly. Hiking shoes should be close everywhere, but nowhere should be tight. There should also be enough space to wiggle the toes.

alt = "A woman ties her hiking shoes"> IZF/Shutterstock Hiking shoes should be tight

If you select your shoes, try the socks at the end of the day you want to wear (since your feet usually swell during the day and are greatest). How to avoid buying too small shoes.

Read our guide to choose the right hiking shoes.

shoes enter

One of the main causes of bubbles are poorly run -in shoes. Well -fitting shoes also have to harmonize with their feet. Taking the time to run a new pair of hiking shoes or hiking shoes, ensures pleasant kilometers on the way.

Different boots need different inlet times. Lighter shoes are generally faster, while for example, heavier leather boots need time to soften and adapt to their foot shape.

alt = “A hiker who breaks down a new footwear”> Rangzz/Shutterstock New shoes gradually enter

start by walking through your house in your new shoes and make sure that you are close and the inside soles, socks, laces and tongues are all in place. Then go outside to your neighborhood and check whether you are satisfied before you continue to move away.

outside the sidewalk there is a serious break in. Give a light backpack on a day hike. Try a few more day hikes and gradually increase the weight and distance before you have enough confidence for a hike lasting several days.

just remember that the inlet process does not turn a bad fit into a good one. So if the shoes are not correct from the start, bring them back to the store and try to find a better fit.

Choose the right socks

When it comes to socks, it is best to avoid cotton because it tends to keep moisture on the skin, which causes bubbles in combination with friction. Instead, opt for moisturizing fabrics such as polyester or wool socks such as smartwool, bridedal or 1000 mile.

Avoid Atlas & Boots We recommend wool socks from smartwool

Peter usually hikes in two pairs of socks: a thin couple of merciless or polyester socks with a second, thicker couple over it. The two layers help to reduce friction and remove moisture from the skin, which means that it stays drier. Another good option are double -layer socks like Wrights sock.

How to treat bubbles

Make sure that you have a hiking-first help set that contains the following:

  • bladder plaster and all -purpose plaster
  • Association or gauze
  • Medical adhesive tape
  • safety needle, needle or small knife
  • alcoholic or hygienic cleaning towels

If you notice that a hotspot develops, it is better to stop and treat it before it really uses. Use a special padded patch (known as bladder plasters) such as Compeed to treat hotspots.

compeed-blasenpflaster Cineberg/Shutterstock We recommend compeed bladder plaster

Before you apply the bladder patch, heat it to body temperature, as it makes it more liable. You can do this by holding it between your hands, put it in your clothes or even under your armpit as you take off your shoes.

make sure that your feet are clean, dry and ventilated before you apply the bladder patch because the glue does not stick to damp or wrinkled skin. For additional protection, you can attach a layer or adhesive tape on the top of the blister patch.

should you empty bubbles?

The general medical advice is not to open the bladder to release the liquid. It creates a possibility for an infection and you essentially remove the protection and healing that the liquid offers.

men's foot with bladder plaster Singergm/Shutterstock A bladder plaster is available

A big bladder can, however, become too painful to not be drained and will probably burst by itself while hiking. If this is the case, empty the bladder as follows:

  • wash the bladder and the surrounding area with an antiseptic
  • sterilize a needle, needle or small blade with alcohol, antiseptic or a flame
  • carefully sting into the bladder near your base
  • Massage the liquid and let the skin covering the bladder intact
  • connect the bladder to an antiseptic and an association like a wound
  • For additional protection you can attach a layer of a layer, adhesive tape or a large bladder patch above the area

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