Re: [pct-l] Blister Treatment

["Bill Deutschman" <olcbill@cdsnet.net>]

After spending nearly as much time working on my wife's feet as time on the
trail I have some experience with blisters.  Even some on my feet.  We have
three "tricks" to use on them.

1)  Instead of a regular needle use a size 16 or 14 hypodermic needle.  The
come in an individual sterilized plastic cylinder and have a sharp chisel
point that cuts a small slit in the blister.  The slit drains well and does
not seem to close the way the puncture from a regular needle does.  I buy
them at the local feed store for about 25 cents each.  If I'm on a long hike
I fill the cylinder with alcohol after use to "re-sterilize" the needle.  I
know it is not really sterile but it is better than nothing.

As an aside hypodermic needles work very well for removing splinters.  Use
the point to "slice" the skin and expose the splinter, then put the point
under the splinter and use the sharp edge to pull the splinter out.

2) I'm not familiar with a "Compeed" pad but it may be similar to the
Spyroflex pads that we get at REI.  They seem to be a stretchy Teflon type
material that is very slick on the outside and sticky on the other side.
Put one over the drained blister and socks just slip on the pad.  They are
also useful when you feel a blister "coming on".  Much better than mole skin
for prevention and cure.  They are very thin and I cannot feel them the way
I feel mole skin.

3)  Use Second Skin for really bad blisters where the skin has ripped off
and raw sub skin-shows.  It is a gelatinous material that you can put
directly on the raw skin.  It also works for second and third degree burns.
Cut a piece slightly larger than the blister, put it on and then cover with
a dressing.  The pain immediately decreases and the blister heals much
faster than with other methods.

Hope these suggestions are useful.

bill

Bill Deutschman
Oregon Laser Consultants
455 Hillside Avenue
Klamath Falls, OR 97601-2337
olcbill@cdsnet.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Brick Robbins <brick@fastpack.com>