Compeed

A self-adhesive blister prevention/treatment that also works for calluses and corns. More expensive than Moleskin for blister prevention, but about as good as it gets for treatment of open blisters. I'd recommend having a few of these along when breaking in new boots or in the first aid kit on longer hikes and ski tours. Great stuff.

For the first half of the backountry ski season this year I had something funny going on with my right little toe — it would start hurting like hell after a few hours in my randonee ski boots, and sometimes in cross-country boots or running shoes. When I took a closer look it looked like the inside of the toe was abraded or irritated by rubbing against the next toe, a small open blister.

So I rummaged around in the first aid kit and found a small Compeed patch, just right to stretch around the whole toe and stick back to itself. Then I basically forgot about it for a few days. It stayed on through 3 or 4 showers, provided some padding between the toes, but mainly interrupted the cycle of rubbing and irritation.

I used 1-2 more patches over the next 1-2 weeks, and by then the irritation had recovered enough that I didn't need it anymore. I finished off the ski season with at least four more big days with no more irritation.

The plasters consist of a stretchy elastomer backing and a central pad of hydrocolloidal gel that absorbs moisture from the skin to provide padding, keep the wound somewhat moist, and speed healing. The adhesive works well and the plasters stay on for several days if they are applied to clean, dry skin. The colloid seems to dry out a little and become more porous over time, even after showering. I haven't had any problems with "prune skin" under the plaster.

I have also used Compeed with success on irritated callused areas on the tops of my toes caused by my unning shoes. I haven't had a heel blister in a while, but I think Compeed is one of the best treatments for an open blister as long as it can cover the whole thing.

Here's the U.S. website if you want to find out more.

This blister treatment works like a dream to protect and heal any blister. They are not as effective when walking with wet feet or swimming while they are still on. In those circumstances it is best to add a waterproof covering over the Compeed. For long hikes, more than a day, I always carry a good supply.

I have used these on many hikes where extended walking time has resulted in even well worn in boots rubbing a bit. They provide a good cover across the whole blister and have different sizes for the variety of places blister may form. They have to be left on for several days.

The one time they failed to help with a blister was when I was swimming every day after reaching camp. Not good at all; however if a waterproof layer is added over the Compeed this problem is avoided.