Taking the right steps to avoid blistering can ease your life significantly, giving you the chance to walk, run, hike or dance worry-free. They are caused by friction. The layers of your skin, softened by dampness, rub against each other, separating under the pressure. The area is filled with a liquid called lymph, which your body produces naturally to add some cushioning and protection. But what this results in is a painful bubble that’s raw to the touch, and that, should it pop, can get infected and lead to serious health issues.

The first step in preventing them from happening at all is choosing the right shoes. If you’re shopping for yourself, you probably already know your problem areas. It may be the heel, the bottom of your foot, or even between your toes. To stop these areas from taking a beating with every step you take, you need to opt for footwear that will fit you perfectly, and that won’t cause any unwanted damage.

The most appropriate shoes will be the correct size and width for you. While most people know to stay away from footwear that’s too small (even if just half a size), often we don’t think about how footwear that’s big can also cause serious issues. If your shoe runs large, it allows your foot to move, which leads to friction that can result in blistering, rubbing, or even broken skin. The length of your shoes should allow your entire foot to naturally rest, without the toes hitting the front of the shoe, and with half a finger’s space in the heel area. Additionally, the toe box needs to be wide enough to allow the natural splaying of your toes, which will get rid of the rubbing between them, while the tongue and collar need to be made so as not to rub against the top of your foot while standing or walking.

What will influence the way a shoe fits are the materials and type of construction used in the manufacturing process. If you have sensitive feet, you should try and go with softer, more cushioned uppers such as suede or mesh, and should make sure that your chosen sneakers or pumps don’t feature any internal stitching that may pose a problem.

You should also look for comfort features in your footwear, including a padded collar and tongue, an adjustable closure system, a cushioned insole, such as one with memory foam, and a lining option that works for you (leather, suede or even textile).

The second thing you need to consider in your footwear is moisture management. As moisture makes your skin softer, it leads to it blistering more easily. This means that if you tend to have sweaty feet, are planning on doing any physical exercise, or are simply expected to have your shoes on for long periods of time in hot weather, you need to consider ways to wick away that moisture from your foot.

One of the simplest ways to do so is to go with breathable footwear – whether it’s a model made with a mesh upper, one with ventilation holes, or one that features high tech innovation such as an OrthoLite sockliner, this is an aspect you need to consider.

Secondly, be careful what socks you choose. While cotton is a popular option, it has a tendency to retain moisture, which is, ultimately, a bad scenario. Look for hosiery with some percentage of merino wool acrylic, or even lycra or spandex, as all of these will allow for them to dry faster, stopping your skin from becoming soft. If you’re planning on wearing a formal shoe, consider no-show hosiery options that are abundantly available, and can be a real lifesaver at parties or events.

Last but not least, it is possible that you can develop one even if you consider all of the above measures. You may have well-fitting shoes that have been perfectly broken in, may be wearing the comfiest socks available for purchase, but your feet need an additional layer of protection.

This is where preventive treatments come into play. You can opt for any of the methods above, from tape, to band-aids and even to creams or deodorants that’ll prevent rubbing. With some products, you can even use a combination. If you know that you’ve got something strenuous coming up, such as a long hike or a travel trip across Europe, you should try out some of these methods beforehand. Once you’ve got the formula that suits you the most, be diligent about following through, and don’t be afraid to stop along the way to adjust your tape, change socks, or simply to rest your tired feet.

Handfuls of straw, wads of cotton and wool have been used to pad boots for centuries. Fortunately, the modern world has given us synthetic materials that do a better job but let’s not ignore the tried and true, completely.

If you do get one, taking the right steps can not only help it heal faster, but it can also help prevent any unnecessary complications. First of all, you must protect the area from further rubbing because if that skin bubble breaks and peels off, you have exposed a vulnerable layer of skin that may become infected. The thing we recommend the most is to give your feet a break and let it dry out in fresh air but, because feet tend to hang around on the ground where dirt collects, you will likely need to put a little something on that.

You might want to soak your feet in some lukewarm green tea which seems to have some healing properties. Don’t soak too long because you don’t want its outer layer to soften up too much more than it already is. Five minutes should do the trick. Apple cider vinegar is a big favorite for fighting germs and offering a healing jump start. It works, and you can just add a cotton covering with whatever adhesive will hold it in place. Combine that with Witch Hazel, and you’ve nearly covered the Old Wives Cures.

Modern products are conveniently sized and packaged for easy carrying and usage. They certainly cost a lot more than a bit of vinegar or a roll of tape, but you want to make sure you take great care of your feet. If it happens while you’re away from home, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe and cover with a band-aid or a treatment product. This will help you get through the day. Once you are home, you can properly clean the affected spot, apply any medication you usually use and let the skin naturally repair itself. It suffices to say that for the next few days you should stay away from all constricting footwear, and should try to go with options that won’t cause additional problems.

Let’s talk about comfortability – as we all can attest that this is a vital component of any footwear gear. As we evaluated and assessed products in this market, we wanted to ensure that the 10 best products would offer the most comfort. I mean, wearing these on your feet can be uncomfortable, on top of wearing socks and shoes. To our surprise, the very best brands on the market designed their products with some of the cleverest technology and designs.

In fact, if you look on our list, most of the brands designed their products to be ultra-lightweight and thin, making them easy to wear during the day at work. Now, we also know that comfort can be quite objective as – what may be comfortable for one person may not be for another. So, we actually took to the time to review many different consumer reviews to see what other people mentioned regarding their experience. What you read about today is the absolute pinnacle of comfort when it comes to these protectors.

The first and most important aspect to take into consideration when purchasing one of these products is to the construction of the actual item and the materials used in making it. Understanding these two different facets could help unveil a wealth of information about the brand and whether or not it’s worth purchasing.

These materials often are best for boosting breathability and ventilation, while also promoting the comfort and padding needed to relieve the area from any pain or discomfort. So, as we scanned through dozens upon dozens of products, we carefully noted what types of materials companies were using. If we noticed that a company was using cheaper material, like plastic or cheaper fabric material, we often skipped that product.

Deciphering what makes a brand valuable is so much more than something like good marketing. The culture and history of a company have a trickle-down effect. The best brands add value not only by choosing quality materials but by creating a culture of excellence. The construction of a good blister treatment, like; effectiveness, material, and type will in-part determine what constitutes an item that is considered valuable. It’s not always easy to find a treatment that is of great quality. Correct pricing is important a name doesn’t always mean a superior item.