Whether you are a Colorado Avalanche fan screaming at the Pepsi Center or a hockey mom sitting in the stands yelling for your kid’s team, you know the risks that the players take. Besides the cuts, bruises, and concussions the players may face, there is another annoying problem that can raise its ugly head: blisters from ice skates.
Blisters form when the skin of your feet rub against your skates. Ice skates need to be quite rigid to fully support the ankle through a long game. However, that very stiffness can increase the irritation on the ball of your foot, ankle bones, and heel if the skates don’t fit properly or aren’t laced tightly enough. You want the foot to sit firmly in the heel and not slide around too much. It is best to break in new skates gradually so they can adapt to your foot shape without causing these sometimes-painful sores.
The pushing off, quick turns and stops, and constant motion during a game puts extra stress on the feet of hockey players. You can try to prevent blisters by using moleskin or “second skin” padding at pressure points. Socks can help prevent blisters, too, but the fit of the skate is paramount. Try using a slightly thinner sock and find a pair of skates that molds well to the contour of the foot.
If you do get blisters from ice skates, it is best to leave them intact. Cover the sore with a bandage, or use liquid bandage and tape to protect the area. You can also try corn pads with a hole in the middle to cushion the skin bubble from pressure. If the blister has burst, don’t remove the loose skin. Use antibiotic cream and bandage it securely while it heals. Once the new skin has toughened up underneath, then you can carefully clip the dead covering away with a sterile nail scissors or clippers.
When the blister is large, blood-filled, or causing a lot of pain, give Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center a call at (303) 423-2520 and schedule an appointment at our location in Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO. You can request an appointment through our website as well. Check us out on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, too, for up-to-date tips and information.
