The Well-Cared-For Blister

It started with new shoes. Yes, I'm a former shoe horse, to coin a term. Imelda Marcos wasn't the only one. I've been dealing with an almost embarrassing problem for a couple years now. I laugh when I stop and think about it. I was so sure I was savvy enough to rid myself of an unpleasant and unwanted blister, I've procrastinated for far longer than I should have in seeking medical care. Google is your friend, right? I now have an appointment on the books for a specialist to deal with the matter, my regular physician having no idea what it has morphed into.

I worked in a bookstore for several years. I was on my feet all day and my old dogs were complaining up a blue streak. So, I got smart and purchased some very comfortable shoes, Sketcher Shape-ups and Mephisto Allrounders from Zappo's. I was not going to let my feet rule my life, especially if there were other more important things to do, like browse books while I wasn't busy. I even taped up the places where I normally get blisters when wearing a new pair of shoes. But noooooo! I had to get a blister on the side of my foot in a place that is very hard for me to see. So, I felt around and my touch determined it was a blister. Little did I know!

It was a small blister, so my understanding of blister care still applied. Something has gone horribly wrong anyway. Over two years later found me still nursing this little problem. It wasn't painful or anything as I usually wear thick socks and had been bandaging it. It was still happy in its home and not going anywhere. I pressed on, doing nothing more. No infection, no pain, just a fluid-filled blister. I didn't consider it necessary to take the time to be seen.

Well, finally, the time came for an annual check up and I happened to mention the little critter in passing. I'd not done so on previous annuals, but figured if the doctor thought it worth a look-see she'd inquire further. Though I'm not diabetic, I had been reminded earlier in the week that sores and such on the foot that don't heal quickly and well can mean big problems down the line. So, she looked at it. She prescribed a cream. Thinking it was a plantar wart possibly, she figured she'd look at it again on my next visit in a few weeks to see if the cream helped.

Well, come the next visit, it was still a happy go lucky kinda being and we decided a dermatologist was the next point of contact to seek resolution. The reason we didn't continue further treatment as is common for a wart is that the characteristics presented weren't consistent with a plantar wart yet they weren't consistent with a blister either. Yes, the aliens had been living even closer than my back yard for over two years and I'd not taken the opportunity to celebrate the good news. I was surprised, however, that I'd not had a visit from SETI.

In order to deal with bandages that fell off after a few hours of wear when barefoot, or unless I'm wearing socks with shoes (I'm a Birkie kinda gal). I had a light bulb moment, one of the energy efficient kinda bulbs. The solution was better than staying in bed all day reading a good book. I started using cohesive medical tape, aka, nonstick medical tape. I'd always hated it when I had to remove it after providing a lab sample. You couldn't just peel it off, you had to cut it off. The ends blend in so well with the rest of the tape, they're impossible to find.

So, I bide my time these days, waiting for my appointment date. It seems dermatologists have very full calendars in this area. In all fairness, I did undergo surgery for something else not too long ago, so the delay in visiting the specialist is for the best. I'm rather glad there's been no attempt at communication with SETI from the interloper on my foot. Imagine what the neighbors would say if they saw the van pull up to my door.

Visit this excellent hub for more information on the subject of caring for blisters.

NOTE: I have since had the aforementioned appointment date, the results of which I discuss below.

Where to start with blister prevention. Along with the links included here, there are some basics I employ, when I think to do so. Even the fashion conscious should care well for their feet. I recall when I first saw the feet of a woman who'd worn high heels all of her adult life. I swore then I'd wear sensible shoes as much as possible. It never ceases to amaze me how many parents will let young girls, whose bones are still developing, wear a heel better suited for an adult woman. Young ballerinas don't wear toe shoes before twelve years of age, as a rule.

The Runner’s Guide to Prevent and Treat Blisters provides excellent information on prevening blisters as well as how to care for them. Shoes and socks are the first point of prevention for blister prevention. Prevention provides some excellent tip with their slide show entitled How to Prevent Blisters. The Walking Site has excellent information on the subject as well, How to Prevent Chafing and Blisters. If you want to talk excellent socks for sports and everyday wear, visit Smart Wool.

As stated above, I made the appointment. I was fully expecting to walk away from the doctor's office on a stump, sans one foot. Boy was I in for a surprise! The most painful part of the visit was the needle full of numbing agent. The little bugger was more than a little sensitive.

The prognosis was Pyogenic Granuloma. After numbing the foot, the podiatrist sliced off the growth and plopped it into a small jar of solution. After about five days, I had the results of the testing. It was benign. So, sigh, no visit from SETI. No tales of gruesome alien abduction and experimentation. On the flip side, I'm back to wearing Birkies and my favorite sneakers.