As most dancers know, blisters are painful reminders of the stress dancing puts on the feet. Whether caused by ballet pointe shoes, tap shoes, or bare feet on wooden flooring, blisters seem to be a part of every dancer’s life.
A blister can cause a great deal of pain and can take a long time to heal. Fortunately, blisters are fairly easy to treat and easy to prevent. The following six steps will show you how to treat and prevent blisters on your feet.
Make sure that your shoes fit
The easiest way to get a blister is to wear dance shoes that are either too big or too small. When shopping for dance shoes of any kind, make sure the shoes fit properly. It is always best to seek the help of a professional, especially when fitting shoes for dance. If you develop a painful blister on your foot after a session, it’s a good idea to look closely at your shoes and your feet to figure out why. Blisters are usually the result of a part of the shoe repeatedly rubbing against a sweating foot.
Cover your feet
Most dance instructors recommend wearing dance tights or socks with dance shoes. As your feet begin to sweat, your bare skin will rub against the inside of your shoes. Tights will serve as a protective barrier between your shoes and your feet.
Use foot powder
Sprinkling a small amount of powder inside your shoes will help keep your feet dry and prevent them from rubbing. Use foot powder, talcum powder, or cornstarch. Sprinkle a small amount inside each shoe and on your bare feet before slipping on your shoes.
Cover hot spots
A “hot spot” is a warning sign that a blister is about to develop. Hot spots are areas that appear red and feel warm to the touch. Cover suspicious areas with bandages, medical tape, gauze, or moleskin. These preventative products can easily be found in the foot care aisle of your favorite drug store.
Drain the fluid
If you develop a blister and must continue dancing, it is recommended that you lance it with a sterile needle as soon as possible. Lancing it will help relieve pain and pressure.
However, it is only safe to lance a blister if the fluid inside is clear. Prepare your skin by first washing it and swabbing with rubbing alcohol. Next, sterilize a needle by holding it in a flame until the tip turns red. After allowing it to cool, gently make one small hole in the blister.
After draining, allow the blister to air out overnight. Apply antibiotic ointment before wearing your shoes the next day, https://www.cdhfinechemical.com/cdh_data/antibiotics-online/. Watch the area closely for any signs of infection such as redness, pain, or pus inside the blister.
Pamper and rest
Overuse is a common cause of any injury, so allowing your feet to rest will help prevent blisters. If it is impossible to take a day off, pamper your feet after long dance sessions by soaking them in a foot bath and allowing them to dry thoroughly.
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Bella Diva Dance’s studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd. We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].
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