Blister Blog

SheUltra- Cymru 2026: How to Prevent Blisters and Foot Problems During a 50 km Ultra

The SheUltra™ is a 50 km all-female ultra event held on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales. It welcomes women of different abilities and experience levels, including runners, hikers and walkers, and is built around the principle of “no cut-offs”. The event combines a fully marked multi-terrain route with a wider focus on community, women’s…

Desert Ultra Footwear: How to Choose Running Shoes That Protect Your Feet

Choosing footwear for a desert ultra is not about finding one perfect shoe brand. It is about finding the right footwear formula for your own feet, running style, sock system and race conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. A shoe that works brilliantly for one runner may cause major problems for another. I have seen…

Can Armaskin liner socks stop blisters and swelling in desert ultras?

If you spend enough time looking after runners’ feet in desert ultras, you realise quite quickly that blister prevention is rarely about one miracle product. It is usually about a system: the right shoe, enough room for swelling, the perfect sock combination, increased training load , skin conditioning, and knowing when to act early on…

What Really Happens When a Podiatrist Joins the Ultra Crew?

Anyone who’s run an ultramarathon knows feet can be their best friend or worst enemy. At Blisterhelp, a big part of my mission has always been to demystify footcare for endurance athletes—so here’s an inside look at what I really do out on the course when working as an expedition podiatrist (and an introduction to…

Backpack Blisters From Self-Sufficient Ultra-Marathon Running

What is a backpack blister? Backpack blisters are extremely painful skin lesions that develop where pressure, friction and sweat are at their worst. They tend to appear under rucksack straps and at the lower back where the bottom of the pack sits and repeatedly bounces. They often start as chafing, rubbing or lowgrade irritation, then…

Understanding Foot Swelling (Oedema) in Desert Ultramarathons

& why it’s the biggest single cause of foot blisters. About me I am an expedition podiatrist specialising blister prevention and treatment. I have served on medical teams at the Marathon des Sables (MDS legendary) Fire and Ice Ultra in Iceland, London Marathon and the Great North run. I’m used to diagnosing complex cases of…

Forefoot vs Heel Strikers: Blisters in Desert Ultra Running

If you’re preparing for a desert ultramarathon, there’s a good chance you’ll experience foot blisters. They’re common, sometimes inevitable, but with the right strategies, you can reduce the risk—whichever way your foot lands. About Me I’m an expedition podiatrist with a focus on blister prevention and treatment. Over the years, I’ve worked on medical teams…

Intimate Chafing During Ultramarathons in the Desert

Intimate chafing is a topic few are willing to discuss openly, which is precisely why this blog exists. Almost every runner has experienced chafing—some more frequently than others—but fortunately, this issue is largely preventable. If chafing is a concern, especially with an upcoming ultra event, read on to learn how to avoid problems before they…

The best neck scarf for keeping cool when running in the desert

Having been a podiatrist on the medical team, volunteering at the Marathon des Sables Legendary (MDS) in April 2024. I couldn’t help but notice the variety of head and neck clothing the runners wore to keep cooler in the Sahara Desert. The MDS legendary offers iced water at checkpoints throughout each stage of the race….

What product should I use to prevent the skin on my feet from blistering when running in the desert?

I am often asked this question, and especially after recently speaking at the Marathon des Sables Expo in London. This blog is written to help clear up any confusion regarding whether you should harden or soften the skin on your feet before an major running event in the desert. The question you really should be…

A Podiatrist in the Sahara Desert…… fixing feet

At the Marathon Des Sables 2024 Although I am a Podiatrist in Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK, I also like to volunteer my time and skills to help others achieve their goals. This blog is a glimpse into my recent adventure into the world of Sahara Desert ultra-running. The Marathon des Sables (MDS) ultra run is…

How to Prevent Blisters When Running in The Desert.

Being a Podiatrist in the medical team, at the Legendary Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert in April 2024, gave me a very unique insight into why runners in the desert struggle with blisters. This ultra-run is considered one of the hardest foot race events in the world, and I can honestly say, having…

Marathon Blisters – and how to prevent them with simple lacing techniques.

Who would have thought the humble lace would cause foot and ankle blisters, but they can. Here are some helpful tips on what may work for you in preventing these types of blisters.

London Marathon Blisters -and how to avoid them

Lindsey and Suzanne have worked in the medical tents at the London Marathon, helping those runners with foot problems, enabling them to return home, pain- free.

Marathon Blisters – and footwear tips to prevent them

Footwear is one of the biggest contributors to marathon blisters, there are many reasons for this, and most of them are easy to fix.

Marathon Blisters -and how to prevent them by simple nail and skincare tips

When participating in a marathon you have to bear in mind, it is not just the socks and footwear that make a difference in preventing blisters but also, the condition of the skin.

Marathon Blisters – and the best socks to prevent them

Most people think that a sock is just a sock but now there is a new breed of technical socks that are blister-preventing and especially suitable for marathon and endurance events.

The Best Socks For Chilblains

At Blisterhelp, we have always endorsed Injinji socks for preventing blisters around the toe area. However, quite by accident, we also discovered that they work well at keeping the feet warm in cold weather.

How To Treat a Popped Blister Without Any Skin Covering It?

These blisters are often painful and can be susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, it is very important that they are protected with a dressing.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are a common overlooked soft tissue injury, caused by rolling or twisting action of the foot, often created by a sudden unexpected movement.

Are Your Shoes Giving You Blisters?

An Engo® Blister Prevention Patch can help with that!

Do you get blisters on the bottom of your feet?

PORON® urethane is an open-cell foam used in the development of gaskets, protective gear, footwear, and even within parts of the Hubble Space Telescope.

How to Prevent Foot Blisters with Alpaca Wool

Alpaca wool is the softest animal wool we have come across to use as a blister prevention product. Alpacas belong to the Camelidae family and were domesticated by the Incas around 6,000 years ago, they have been used for their wool ever since.

Emergency Blister Treatment Kit

Blisterhelp designed this blister treatment kit for the correct treatment of foot blisters, enabling participants to complete any event or activity, despite getting blisters.

PelliTec Blister Prevention Pads

PelliTec are round pads made from 6 different layers and combine together, to wick away moisture from the skin, also relieving pressure by cushioning and therefore reducing the occurrence of blisters on the skin.

Armaskin Anti-Blister Liner Socks

Armaskin socks are a liner sock and would wear under neath your normal socks. We at Blisterhelp, only wear moisture wicking socks, merino wool or coolmax are great examples of moisture wicking socks. If you are going to invest in Armaskin sock, then we strongly recommend that you also invest in a moisture wicking sock to go on the top of the liner, both work really well together in blister prevention.

All About Blisters

Do you suffer with blisters on your feet or ankles? They are a real problem for most people and yet, so often disregarded. Blisters are such a common problem that we see in clinic, and most are so painful and yet easily prevented, so we decided to create a whole website dedicated to the humble blister!

Why should I buy a Blisterkit?

Some lucky folk have never had a blister in their whole life! Whereas other people can’t seem to step outside their house without a hotspot forming. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, you can walk for months with no problems and then, wham! A blister forms out of nowhere. It’s for these random and incredibly frustrating moments that you carry around blister kits.

Not Dry Heels January

Sore, bleeding and cracked heels won’t be able to stand up to a Sunday stroll let alone a 10km run. Many people live with the pain from deep fissures not realising there are a few simple things that can be done to cure them.

Blisters From Burns

Blisters from burns that you get when cooking occur for different reasons than blisters on your foot when out walking. BUT- once you have a blister the treatment required is exactly the same.

Winter Walking

Quiet paths, frosty landscapes and dramatic views that is why we love a winter walk- those and earning a hot chocolate afterwards. Walking in winter does have some increased risks: – shorter days, cold weather and icy paths. The last thing you want is to pick up an injury or need rescuing. A small bit of preparation means problems are less likely.

Our Why

A company specialising in blisters kits may not feel the obvious choice. Keep reading to find out why we did.

Weekend Warriors

Love leaving the working week behind you to spend the weekend in your idea of heaven? 48 hours dedicated to adventures, pushing yourself and winning medals.

Should I pull off my toenail?

Have you ever had a toenail fall off after an event or a long day out hiking? You may not have seen it but it’s probably caused by a blister. Blisters form underneath the toenail and this causes the nail to detach. It can take months for the nail to completely fall off, which is frustrating and painful.

Hand Blisters

Every year when the weather is glorious, everyone gets to grips with household tasks like gardening and repairing jobs. After the winter of cosiness, our hands often suffer from blisters more due to their increased workload.

Duct Tape for Blisters

Preventing blisters on the feet with duct tape is a bad idea!

Why you need an Emergency Blister Kit?

This is a blister treatment kit, designed to treat any stage of a blister when participating in an activity, whether it be hiking, football or simply going on holiday, ideal for popping in your kit bag or backpack.

5 Top Tips to Avoid Blisters When Running

Footwear, footwear, footwear! Is the biggest contributor to running blisters, width, length and depth of the shoes can be inadequate.