[pct-l] Liquid Bandage

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Jason,



The majority of blisters are formed when the outermost layer(s) of skin
slides relative to the under layer(s).  This happens when the friction force
between your sock and your skin exceeds the shear strength between the skin
layers.  When the bond between the skin layers is defeated the resulting
separation fills with fluid.   If the fluid remains in a blister the
continued friction will hydraulically force more skin to separate which
considerably expands the problem from the local area to a much wider area.



The solutions available are to either reduce/eliminate the friction somehow,
or to create support for the skin in the blister area so it won’t continue
to shear away.  The application of tape, Moleskin, etc. to the area can
provide one -- or both – solutions.  When tape is applied it should be on a
much wider area than the blister, the idea being to use the tape’s strength
to distribute the shear load over a much wider area of undamaged skin.  That
way, the outer skin can’t move relative to the under-skin.  Depending upon
the outer texture of the tape being used, it can also reduce the friction
between the sock and the taped skin.  The result is, not only is there less
friction force, but the skin is now reinforced to better withstand that
reduced force.



To your specific question:  The liquid bandage material is quite good at
protecting a surface wound, but it’s not the best at providing physical
protection.  A layer of it will not provide sufficient strength to
distribute shear force to adjacent skin.



With sufficient training, the layers of skin become much more resistant to
the continued friction and pounding, but until that occurs tape is
significant help.  It’s always best to apply tape to a hot-spot before a
blister forms, but I often go a step further:  I know areas of my feet that
are susceptible to high-friction, so I often tape them before I start
walking.  Then the skin can strengthen itself in a gentler, longer-term way
as I hike.  I wear shoes, I wear socks, I wear sun protection, and I wear
anything else necessary to help me continue hiking.  Tape is very often
necessary.  Before applying tape it’s best to thoroughly dry the skin to
improve adhesion; and if I have fuel alcohol available I wipe the area with
that first.  Alcohol had a great affinity for water and will further dry the
area for the tape.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT -- 1965

 http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

 http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM, jason moores <jmmoores at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Does anyone have experience using liquid bandage for foot blisters? I've
> used it for work related burns and cuts. It provides excellent protection on
> the hands and arms but I've never tried it on my feet. I can think of a few
> reasons why it may not be as effective on feet: moisture, friction...
>
> If I get a hot spot it would be nice to be able to brush on a quick coat of
> protection and keep rollin'. I like the idea of being able to protect open
> blisters since the mesh pattern on my Montrails will allow a lot of sand in.
>
> I've been carrying a bottle with me on hikes for the past several month.
> Fortunately/unfortunately I haven't had any foot problems snowshoeing or
> roadwalking this winter. I'm getting tired of carrying the weight without
> knowing if it will work when I need it to. Any feedback would be helpful.
>
> jason
>
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