A minor modern tragedy: Shopper meets sandal. Shopper falls madly in love with said sandal. After scouring the internet, waiting for a sale, and making room in their closet, the shopper finally gets the shoes. The shopper tries them on, and the pair feel great — until it's one day later, and the promised sandals leave gnarly blisters. What to do?
We asked NYC dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman [1] to reveal some tried-and-true blister prevention methods, plus some treatments if you've already got a few uninvited friends popping up on your heels. You may even have one of these treatments already living (er, growing) in your garden.
Powder Up
According to Dr. Jaliman, "Powder is something that minimizes friction between your foot and a sandal." The derm recommends dabbing 2Toms BlisterShield [3] ($13) all over your feet. This waterproof formula protects against blisters, calluses, and hot spots, so you can go dance up a worry-free storm in your wedding-day Badgley Mischkas.
Create a Barrier
"Moleskin makes a barrier between the skin and the sandal," Dr. Jaliman said. We're not talking about the trendy notebook — this is a woven cotton adhesive [4] ($23). According to Dr. Jaliman, moleskin works well because "it is a very soft, padded material." You can cut and apply the patch over any problem areas you think might chafe, such as a sensitive part of your skin or the area on your foot that's right underneath an irritating shoe strap.
Pick a Plant
If, despite your best efforts, you do get a blister, there are a few ways to speed up the recovery process and make everything less painful. For instance, you can reach for the classic [5] DIY [6] remedy for sunburns. "Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties, so it will reduce redness and swelling that cause pain and cool the area," Dr. Jaliman explained.
Seal the Deal
Hydrocolloid dressings such as DuoDerm [7] ($29) are often used to treat bedsores, but they can also treat blisters. The thin, flexible patch has a special gel-like texture that absorbs bacteria and pus from a wound. This works great to cover irritated blisters that may bleed. According to Dr. Jaliman, "Since it's sheer, you can place it on a blister and continue using sandals without feeling that much discomfort." Along with helping to ease the pain, it also begins the healing process: "It will seal off the blister and promote faster healing."
Bust Out the Tea Tin
Another unexpected DIY [8] blister treatment is green tea. "This also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal the blister quickly," Dr. Jaliman said. All you have to do is brew two teabags in boiling water, soak a piece of gauze in the drink, and place it over your blister.