Member-only story

Blisters, Calluses, and Clients: A Podiatrist's Guide to Preventing and Treating Foot Problems in Athletes

Bob Cooper

·9.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Brand By Hand: Blisters Calluses And Clients: A Life In Design

5 min read

1.5k View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

As a podiatrist, I see a lot of athletes with foot problems. Blisters, calluses, and other foot problems can be painful and debilitating, and they can keep athletes from performing at their best.

Brand by Hand: Blisters, Calluses, and Clients: A Life in Design

by Jon Contino

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	101955 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	240 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

In this article, I'll discuss the causes and symptoms of blisters, calluses, and other foot problems. I'll also provide tips on how to prevent and treat these problems.

Blisters

Blisters are fluid-filled sacs that form on the skin. They are caused by friction and pressure. Blisters can be painful and they can make it difficult to walk or run.

There are a number of things that can cause blisters, including:

Wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose
Wearing socks that are too thick or too thin
Walking or running for long periods of time
Having sweaty feet
Having a foot deformity

Blisters can be prevented by:

Wearing shoes that fit well and provide good support
Wearing socks that are made of a moisture-wicking material
Breaking in new shoes gradually
Keeping feet dry
Using moleskin or other padding to protect areas of the foot that are prone to blisters

If you do get a blister, it is important to treat it properly to prevent infection. To treat a blister, you should:

Clean the area around the blister with soap and water
Cover the blister with a bandage
Avoid popping the blister
If the blister is painful, you can take over-the-counter pain medication

Calluses

Calluses are thick, hard areas of skin that form on the feet. They are caused by repeated friction and pressure. Calluses can be unsightly and they can make it difficult to walk or run.

There are a number of things that can cause calluses, including:

Wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose
Walking or running on hard surfaces
Having a foot deformity
Having a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time

Calluses can be prevented by:

Wearing shoes that fit well and provide good support
Wearing socks that are made of a moisture-wicking material
Using moleskin or other padding to protect areas of the foot that are prone to calluses
Keeping feet dry

If you do get a callus, you can treat it by:

Soaking your feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes
Using a pumice stone to gently remove the dead skin cells
Applying a moisturizer to the callus
Wearing shoes that fit well and provide good support

Other Foot Problems

In addition to blisters and calluses, there are a number of other foot problems that can affect athletes. These problems include:

Plantar fasciitis
Heel spurs
Achilles tendonitis
Shin splints
Stress fractures

These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Overtraining
Wearing improper shoes
Having a foot deformity
Having a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time

If you are experiencing any of these foot problems, it is important to see a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.

Blisters, calluses, and other foot problems are common among athletes. These problems can be painful and debilitating, and they can keep athletes from performing at their best. By following the tips in this article, you can prevent and treat these problems and keep your feet healthy and happy.

Brand by Hand: Blisters, Calluses, and Clients: A Life in Design

by Jon Contino

4.7 out of 5