Sometimes, while playing soccer, players get blisters on their feet. These blisters cause pain in the feet of the players and also affect their performance.
Now the question arises,
Why are blisters caused?
Or
How to get rid of blisters?
Causes:
Here are some reasons which can cause blisters.
- Allergic Reactions
- Excessive Heat
- Friction
- Fungal Infections
- Bacterial Infections
While playing soccer, you can get blisters on your feet, which can cause pain.
In soccer, the blisters are caused due to broken cleats, small cleats, new cleats, and extra warm socks.
While wearing small cleats which are tight to your feet will cause friction, and eventually, it will cause blisters on the feet.
Now the question arises, how to prevent blisters?
Read | How to Prevent Blisters from Football Cleats?
Tips to Avoid Blisters:
Here are 15 easy steps you can follow to avoid blisters.
Avoid wearing new cleats
As I already mentioned, you are more likely to get blisters in a new pair of boots. It is typical because your feet are not accustomed to the latest boots, and they have yet to be broken in, making them unsuitable for your feet’s natural shape. It’s normal to want to put on and use new boots immediately, but you should do so carefully.
Many people enjoy wearing their new soccer cleats directly into a soccer game or training session, which I would not recommend. You will most likely get blisters over your feet if you do it. In this case, you couldn’t blame the shoes for giving you blisters; it would be your fault.
As with anything else, you must allow the cleats to adapt to your feet before demanding a higher performance level. It applies to almost every shoe on the market, not just soccer cleats. However, there are some things you can do to speed up the breakage of your soccer cleats. I’ll go over them in more detail below.
Always have a second pair of cleats:
Remember that a hot – spot precedes a blister, which you can feel even before the blister appears. It is common with new cleats. You just bought them and are ecstatic that you will use them immediately. But, as previously stated, there are better ideas than this because the boots still need to be broken.
I wouldn’t suggest wearing new cleats to soccer practice with your team. It is best to put them on and jog around with them for a few minutes before training. Start slowly and increase your intensity exponentially to avoid being too aggressive with your movements.
When doing this, keep an extra pair in your bag that is already broken in and in which you feel entirely comfortable playing. If you are uncomfortable with your new pair, remove the shoes and switch to your other cleats. It is better to avoid any blister as soon as possible rather than risk an injury that could take up to two weeks to heal by insisting on playing through a blister.
Check out the comfort from outside the box:
When purchasing a new pair of boots, the first thing you should do is try them on and inspect them. What do they feel like on your feet right out of the box? Do you have any discomfort in your feet? You can tell if a pair of soccer cleats will cause blisters right out of the box. Everyone’s feet are unique, and we won’t be able to fit perfectly into every pair of cleats available.
How can you tell if a pair of soccer cleats will cause blisters? If, right away, when you put them on, you experience any discomfort, such as pressure points, fits that are too tight in certain areas, or stud pressure. Then, you should avoid wearing those boots.
Use high-quality socks:
When playing soccer, always wear high-quality soccer socks. The socks must be thick enough and designed to withstand the pressure and movement associated with soccer. Regular socks, which are not designed to absorb sweat, are likely to cause a lot of foot slippage inside the boot when your feet start to sweat. Remember that foot slippage equals friction, which equals blisters.
Furthermore, because cheap socks are so thin, your feet are in direct contact with the shoe’s insole, which creates an ideal environment for blisters to form when combined with sweat and moisture.
Observe the field temperature:
If you are playing on an outdoor artificial field when the temperature outside is between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (27 and 35 degrees Celsius), then the area will be even hotter. It is important to consider as temperature plays a significant role in blister formation.
So, avoid playing on sweltering fields.
Keep your skin clean and dry:
If you are a soccer player, you must maintain excellent hygiene for two reasons:
- Clean, dry feet are less likely to cause blisters than wet feet, which can cause significant movement and friction inside the feet.
- If you do get a blister, it is less likely to become infected. As a result, the blister will heal faster, and you can resume playing sooner.
I recommend wearing sandals to the locker room or field to keep your feet clean and only putting on your soccer cleats before warming up. Never enter the area while walking or wearing cleats. Allow your feet to be rested, clean, and dry for as long as possible.
Use appropriately sized soccer cleats:
Another critical factor when it comes to avoiding blisters. You must purchase the proper size soccer cleats for you. The ones that are not too big for you, but not too small. A boot that is too big for you allows the foot to move inside, causing friction between the foot and the shoe. The too-tight boot can also cause pressure points in the feet, leading to blisters.
Use Double Socks:
Many soccer players say they wear two layers of socks to avoid blisters on multiple occasions. According to them, friction from the first layer of socks with the shoe is transferred to the second layer rather than directly to the foot.
Lubricate blister-prone areas:
Any lubricant, such as Vaseline, can be applied to the parts of your foot where you know you are more likely to develop blisters. It is difficult to do this without making a mess, and keeping the Vaseline in place throughout the game is incredibly challenging. To keep it in place, try using gauze or a bandage.
It will lessen the likelihood of developing a blister by ensuring smooth movement between the skin and the sock or boot. Although it is a good idea to try it out, there is no guarantee that it will always work.
Use padding or tape:
Some people attempt to protect specific areas of the foot by covering the skin with tape or moleskin so that the shoe rubs against the padding rather than the skin. If you have to make do with what you have or can already feel a blister forming, this can be a good last resort.
Use Hot Water:
Soccer players have used the hot water trick to break in their boots faster and make them fit better. This trick was first seen used by Cristiano Ronaldo, which most pros use to soften their new boots. Players use it a lot because they receive new pairs of cleats almost for every match, so they’ve got to find a way to make them adapt quicker to their feet.
The hot water trick is straightforward to do. Just follow these steps:
- Soak your cleats in hot water for about ten minutes. Don’t insert the boots entirely into the water. The water should be at the same level from the laces or lower. Be careful that the water isn’t too hot, as the heat can ruin the glue that puts the shoe together.
- Take them out, and put the cleats on. Use them around the house for about 30 minutes. After that, they will have adapted perfectly to the shape of your feet.
This great trick will help your cleats fit better and reduce movement from the feet inside. If you need help understanding how the scheme works, there are a lot of YouTube tutorials for you to see.
Use Deodorant:
Using deodorant is the best method and life-saving trick for blisters. Deodorant, you see, aids in keeping your feet as dry as possible throughout the game. The better, the dryer, and the less moisture. Although it is not entirely adequate, applying deodorant to the foot’s heel, middle, and toe areas can help decrease the likelihood of developing blisters.
Keep your cleats clean:
Your cleats will experience a lot of stress from frequent use. You must clean and maintain them frequently to keep them in the best possible shape.
The toes of the cleats can be kept in shape by storing a shoe tree or some loosely packed newspaper inside. The newspaper alternative will also aid in removing any remaining moisture from the cleats’ interior.
It’s crucial to clean your cleats after every use if you’re playing on actual grass. Use a stiff brush to remove most debris after shaking off any extra dirt by hitting the cleats together.
Use a toothbrush or soft sponge to remove any dirt and debris stuck to the underside. Because the material will harm the soles of your cleats, avoid using a wire brush for this task.
Use only water; don’t use any chemicals or detergents. Use a mild dish soap diluted in warm water if the dirt is difficult to remove.
Use a damp cloth to remove any loose debris.
Prepare a small bowl of soapy water, then unlace your cleats. Your laces should be submerged and left to soak for ten minutes. Use a toothbrush to scrub away any extra dirt gently.
Lay the laces out flat to dry after giving them a thorough rinse under running water.
A toothbrush can also be used to clean your cleats’ upper side. Clean with a gentle soap solution and dry off with a damp cloth. You could also wipe the fabric with a cleaning eraser if they need a thorough cleaning.
Use a dry cloth or towel to blot up any extra moisture gently. The cleats must be given time to dry naturally. Avoid placing them in the sun or on top of a radiator to hasten the drying process. The material of the boot may become stiff as a result, and the adhesive may weaken and dry out.
Additionally, exposure to direct heat may cause the soleplate to warp, resulting in an improper fit for your cleats. As they dry, we advise stuffing them with newspaper.
Use a runner’s loop:
Always tie up your laces in opposite poles. With tightening your shoes, no moisture and air will be allowed.
In this way, your feet won’t become wet, and it will prevent you from getting blisters.
Cut Holes in Your Shoes:
Despite not being very advisable, this tactic is employed by some of the most well-known soccer players, including Phelipe Coutinho and Sergio Ramos. Of course, they have the means to purchase a lot of shoes each year, so tearing holes in their shoes isn’t as much of an issue as it is for recreational players.
Soccer boots fit pretty tightly, and pressure against a blister is the only thing that aggravates one. That is why they are doing it. Therefore, if you made a massive hole in the heel of your football boot, nothing would press against your blister, and you could play comfortably.
If you already have blister issues and feel comfortable drilling holes in your cleats, that might be a solution.
Read | Can You Use Turf Cleats for Indoor?
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Foot Blisters:
You might feel tempted to pop or pick at a blister. Opening a blister, however, should be avoided as doing so increases the chance of infection. Cover your blister with an adhesive bandage to protect it while it heals.
If left untreated, a blister might eventually harden and disappear. Until then, the bubble might be uncomfortable, depending on its size. Even though you shouldn’t, carefully draining a blister can provide relief. The following are the steps to drain a blister at home properly:
- Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap.
- A cotton swab and rubbing alcohol should be used to clean a needle.
- Clean the blister with an antiseptic.
- Take the hand and gently prick the blister.
- Allow all of the blister’s liquid to drain.
- Apply an antibacterial cream or ointment to the blister.
- Bandage or use gauze to cover the blister.
- Wash your hands and reapply the antibacterial cream each day. Keep the blister covered while it heals.
Conclusion:
Here are some best and easy tricks you can follow to avoid blisters.
Also, some home treatments are given to get rid of the blisters.
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