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Blisters - to pop or not pop?
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 2008-04-23 3:48 PM |
Veteran  266   Calgary, Alberta |  Subject: Blisters - to pop or not pop?I searched the forums and found a variety of blister threads, but none helped me come to a solid conclusion about what I should do. Big toe is REALLY big due to one large, throbbing blister. It started yesterday and has just continued to swell (and I'm not wearing shoes that aggravate it). It has progressed into the hurty kind of blister. Usually I leave 'em, but my co-workers keep saying since its fluid-filled and sore, to lance it. I have a race on Sunday. Thoughts? Medical-based opinions are preferred to the barbaric self-mutilating opinions (no offence!). |
| 2008-04-23 3:51 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Neddle and pop it. |
| 2008-04-23 3:53 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? nm. Was gonna say pop it, but beyond that, I didn't want to say something that one of the docs on here would say was bad. Edited by wurkit_gurl 2008-04-23 3:54 PM |
| 2008-04-23 3:54 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Veteran 243 Denver | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? I agree. Pop it at the edge of the blister and cover it with those band aid blister block for a few days. They stay on for days and will really help with the healing. I find that if I don't pop a blister, it usually pops itself on the next run, and then the skin tears off and ow. |
| 2008-04-23 3:57 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Member 77 Winnipeg | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? I am not a doctor but I have a number of them that run with me on many occassions. The concensus is that here is no harm in disinfecting the end of a needle and making one or two pin pricks to break the skin and then you can squeeze out the nice runny liquid. Do not make a big tear in the skin. Disinfect again and then just put on some of that "liquid skin". This is what they do and it is what I do and I have never had any problems. If, however, your toe does get infected and falls off, do not blame me!! |
| 2008-04-23 4:14 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Extreme Veteran 498 Carpinteria, Ca. | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Usually mine are popped by the time I realize they are there, but otherwise I wait till it is thru creating liquid, usually the next morning or so and then pop, drain, cover with neosporin and cover. A day or two later they are good to go. If it is a big one that busted itself and is more than just a small tear, one I feel will get worse I remove the skin and put some neosporin on it and then leave uncovered till the outer starts hardening and getting tough, then I treat as a hotspot. From noticing one to it being good to go us usually three days max, but you have to keep it from ripping, or the timeline starts over. And I am not a doctor, but have spent 20 plus years taking care of myself on backpacking trips, long deployments in the military, and just avoiding the D word at all costs. |
| 2008-04-23 4:17 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Champion 6046  New York, NY | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? the fluid and the blister are protecting the skin underneath, so I do not advocate popping them - but do use moleskin/second skin/bursa.... to protect them from hurting during race.... |
| 2008-04-23 4:28 PM in reply to: #1357935 |
Elite 3221 the desert | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? daisy2908 - 2008-04-23 1:54 PM I agree. Pop it at the edge of the blister and cover it with those band aid blister block for a few days. They stay on for days and will really help with the healing. I find that if I don't pop a blister, it usually pops itself on the next run, and then the skin tears off and ow. OUCH when that happens.
x2 on the needle and drain that bad boy. |
| 2008-04-23 5:02 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Veteran 379 NYC | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Pop it and if necessary, cover it with liquid skin as someone suggested above. Otherwise it will get worse and tear, and that's sometimes tough to heal when you've an active athlete. I also find that they hurt a lot less once popped (but burn like hell when you first put them in water  ). Good luck with your race! |
| 2008-04-23 5:11 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Member 168 Omaha, NE | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Not a doctor, but I did just finish my wound care class in PT school and I'm on the "pop it" side. If the skin hasn't broken yet, a couple little pinholes from a clean needle should do it, then cover that sucker up. Not that you really want to know, but the fluid can actually slow wound healing and is a fun party medium for bacteria if it does open up on its own. |
| 2008-04-23 5:15 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Expert 658 | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Pop lock and drop that blister! But don't peel or cut off the layer of skin, wait till it goes really hard and the skin is dead before you peel it off or else the layer underneath will be so tender you won't be able to move. |
| 2008-04-23 5:23 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Veteran 266 Calgary, Alberta | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Popped, cleaned and covered. Upon closer examination, I realized the little guy was spreading underneath the toenail. Ouch. Feels MUCH better now. THANK YOU! |
| 2008-04-23 6:12 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Champion 6999 Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? what I do not recommend is popping a blister in a dirty bathroom with a needle that you pull off your bib while your seeing stars. Though it did help me finish the race. |
| 2008-04-23 7:24 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Shoot, too late. For future reference: try rubbing intensive care hand lotion into the blister. It magically makes my blisters disappear completely and quickly. Dont' know how or why, but for me it works everyime. Rubbing a dollop of lotion onto it next time and see what happens. |
| 2008-04-23 7:24 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Shoot, too late. For future reference: try rubbing intensive care hand lotion into the blister. It magically makes my blisters disappear completely and quickly. Dont' know how or why, but for me it works everyime. Rubbing a dollop of lotion onto it next time and see what happens. |
| 2008-04-23 9:01 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
Veteran 265 Grayson, Ga. | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Don't do it. The only reason to pop it is if its on your foot and full of water or blood on your and if you run on it hard it might continue to grow. If you can leave it for 4 + days it will heal and then when you pop it and trim the skin it won't hurt and it is sealed from outside. Check out Sara Mcclarty's blog, nice blisters. http://www.saramclarty.blogspot.com/ http://bp0.blogger.com/_bTBuVJZQI64/SA0cNCf5vTI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/RX9SSFl... |
| 2008-04-23 9:05 PM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? ch2626 - 2008-04-23 3:48 PM I searched the forums and found a variety of blister threads, but none helped me come to a solid conclusion about what I should do. Big toe is REALLY big due to one large, throbbing blister. It started yesterday and has just continued to swell (and I'm not wearing shoes that aggravate it). It has progressed into the hurty kind of blister. Usually I leave 'em, but my co-workers keep saying since its fluid-filled and sore, to lance it. I have a race on Sunday. Thoughts? Medical-based opinions are preferred to the barbaric self-mutilating opinions (no offence!). I usually pop with a sterile needle, wash carefully, use antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile pad but allow it to breathe. BUT, that's me. It's been said to NOT pop a blister. HOWEVER, I would say visit your good doctor and let them make the call. Honestly. Hope it gets better quickly. They are a nuisance. |
| 2008-04-24 9:58 AM in reply to: #1357899 |
Regular 62 Orlando | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Preparation H on an unpopped blister will dry it up overnight. Edited by rnrgrl262 2008-04-24 9:59 AM |
| 2008-04-24 10:44 AM in reply to: #1357899 |
Expert 897 Seattle WA | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? I agree w. the above - pop with a sterile needle (clean with a flame or alcohol) at the edge. Drain it and cover with a bandaid. good luck! tom |
| 2008-04-24 10:45 AM in reply to: #1359179 |
Elite 2527 Armpit of Ontario | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Small & not painful = leave it alone Bigger, full of fluid, taught, painful and/or going to be a high probability it will break on its own anyway = pop it and cover it.
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 2008-04-24 10:53 AM in reply to: #1359179 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-04-24 11:06 AM in reply to: #1357899 |
| Master 2356 Fenton, MI | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? I bite it off with my teeth and squirt some Gu2o on it. Works great.
... no, not really .... |
| 2008-04-25 6:35 AM in reply to: #1359179 |
| Veteran 266 Calgary, Alberta | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? rnrgrl262 - 2008-04-24 8:58 AM Preparation H on an unpopped blister will dry it up overnight. Ok, so the day after the popping, I was still in a bit of pain. I got home from work and realized it was re-filled (or still full) of fluid. I re-popped and applied Prep H last night, and thanks to your recommendation, not only is it dried up, but the skin is completely back to normal. Its like MAGIC. Seriously, try it people! It works. Thanks rnrgrl262! |
| 2008-04-25 10:15 AM in reply to: #1361005 |
| Regular 62 Orlando | Subject: RE: Blisters - to pop or not pop? Carrie, You are very welcome. I am a marathon coach with Team in Training and that is one of the tricks I have learned over the years. Since I am such a tri newbie, it is great to be able to share a tip that I know will work. Take Care! Elizabeth |
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