[pct-l] Blister Treatment - Compeed Pads

[Brick Robbins <brick@fastpack.com>]

The suggestion of cutting a hole with scisors in the "roof" of the blister
has always worked well for me. I just make sure that I remove a piece of
skin about the size of a pin head, so the hole can't re-seal.

I have found that covering the drained blister with a "Compeed" pad greatly
relieves pain, and aids healing.

Compeeds are gel-like polymer pads that are available at places like REI.
They are a bit pricey, but if you divide the pain relief per step by the
cost, they are cheap.

Here is the way that works best for me:

1) Drain the blister, and let it drain/dry overnight. If you don't do this,
then the large amount of fluid seeping out of the blister will lift the
Compeed from below.

2) Cover the surrounding area with "Tincture Benzoin Compound" and let dry.
This is a funky brown liquid that coaches use under athletic tape to make
it stay on better. You can get it at most pharmacies, but you may have to
ask for it at the counter. TBC will also make other dressings like Duct
Tape stick better. DO NOT but TBC on an open wound: it hurts like hell
(though it shouldn't cause any medical problems.)

3) Carefully apply the Compeed making sure to not wrinkle the edges. The
edges are feathered so DONT cut the pad- they come in sizes so you
shouldn't need to.

4) Rub powder onto the pad and the area around it, then Roll your sock over
your foot (don't slide it) to prevent the sock from grabbing the edge of
the pad.

The pad will stay on for about 3-4 days. When it finally comes off, the
skin under it will be dry and healing. The pads breathe so the skin under
it can heal. These things are WONDERFUL!


--
Brick Robbins                     Life is a Journey, not a Destination
mailto:brick@fastpack.com        http://www.fastpack.com/brick 


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