Blisters don't happen without warning; you'll feel pain before they appear. If you feel pain in the skin of your feet while you're exercising, take off your shoes and look for a cause. Usually, your sock will be wrinkled or your shoe will be rubbing because it doesn't fit properly. If it's your socks, straighten the wrinkle. If it's your shoes, take them off. You can try to soften the shoe where it irritates your skin by rubbing bath oil or cooking oil into the shoe and stretching it. If you still develop blisters, buy a new pair of shoes. If you're too frugal to throw away shoes, take a piece of adhesive tape and place it tightly on the spot on your skin where the shoe rubs.

Wetness causes skin to stick to anything that rubs against it. Adding powder to the toes of your socks can help to keep your feet dry. It doesn't matter whether it's cornstarch, medicated powder or baby powder. Studies at Walter Reed Army Hospital showed that the most effective treatment for blisters is to sterilize a pin and the skin over the blister, stick the pin into the side of the skin over the blister, express the fluid, and then tape the skin tightly over its base.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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