6 Best Blister Bandages for Treatment

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Our Top Picks

Kinesio Kinesiology Tape Tex at Amazon

"This tape conforms well to your foot contours, stays put through long mileage, and yet isn't a difficult remove."

Band-Aid Activ-Flex Bandages at Amazon

"Provide great protection over blisters you have already developed."

Dr. Scholl's Plus Padding Roll at Amazon

"Commonly used to protect areas prone to blistering, but can also be used after a blister develops."

Spenco Blister Kit at Amazon

"A gel pad bordered by a thin film designed to keep blisters from drying out and protect them from further abrasion."

Sawyer Products Adhesive Bandages at Amazon

"The Blist-o-ban pad has its own cushioned blister area to go over where you are more likely to blister."

Engo Blister Prevention Patches at Amazon

"Engo pads go inside your shoes rather than on your foot."

A common and painful annoyance among runners, walkers, hikers, and other athletes, foot blisters are usually caused by too-tight shoes or wearing wet socks or shoes. Blister bandages can be used to cover the fluid-filled sacs, reducing the pain so you can keep walking or running. They also serve as a protective barrier around the skin by sealing out water, dirt, and germs that can cause infection.

Here are the best blister bandages on the market to protect your feet and cover up hot spots to prevent future blisters.

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Ultrarunning foot care expert Jon Vonhof recommends Kinesio-Tex tape to cover blisters and areas prone to blistering. You need to be sure to get the water-resistant kind. This tape conforms well to your foot contours, stays put through long mileage, and yet isn't a difficult remove. It doesn't leave tape residue when it comes off. It is thin and smooth, which fits well as you put on socks and shoes over the taped areas. Tape has a big advantage over bandages as you can trim it to fit the area you need to cover. Blisters come in all shapes and sizes, so tape is the best option. For bandaging on the run, be sure your Swiss Army knife has the little scissors or pack a small set of scissors in your first aid kit. Yes, you should run with scissors!

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These thin gel bandages flex with your feet but stay put. They provide great protection over blisters you have already developed. You may want to stock up on all three sizes so you can cover the problem area whether it is on your heel, toe, or ball of your foot. Look for them in the foot care section of the supermarket or drugstore rather than the bandage section. You can also use them over potential blister spots to prevent blisters.

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Moleskin is a cotton flannel patch on an adhesive backing. You can cut it to fit the area you wish to protect. This is commonly used to protect areas prone to blistering, but can also be used after a blister develops. Dr. Scholl's also sells Moleskin Plus Padding, which used to be known as Molefoam. The extra padding provides cushioning as well as protection. These have the advantage of being able to be cut to fit the area to which you apply it. That can work well on feet and toes.

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The Spenco® 2nd Skin® blister pad is a gel pad bordered by a thin film designed to keep blisters from drying out and protect them from further abrasion. They adhere strongly to stay in place for days. They absorb perspiration and let the blister heal. This kit comes with pads in several shapes and sizes and they can be cut to fit.

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Blist-o-ban is a different sort of blister pad that acts in a different way. It sort of imitates a blister. The Blist-o-ban pad has its own cushioned blister area to go over where you are more likely to blister. Then when rubbing occurs, it occurs on the Blist-o-ban and not on your skin. That may work better for some applications.

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For another completely different concept. Engo pads go inside your shoes rather than on your foot. Once you know where you have developed a blister, you put an Engo pad inside your shoe in that area. It has a slick surface to reduce friction in that spot, therefore helping to prevent future blisters.

Final Verdict

For a simple yet very effective foot blister treatment, Kinesio-Tex Tape is an excellent go-to option. It’s thin, smooth, and comfortable, yet still provides excellent protection. Unlike some blister bandages, it can be cut to the size and shape of your blister, giving you a better fit and seal on the blister. It’s also used for pain relief for chronic or acute injuries, so it’s a versatile product to stock in your medicine cabinet.

What to Look for in a Blister Bandage

Purpose: When it comes to blister bandages, there are products that treat existing blisters and products that prevent new blisters. You can also find some products that are designed to do both! It’s important to choose the right product for your needs, as prevention bandages may not help with treatment, and vice versa.

Shape: Blister bandages come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you’ll want to pick the right shape to suit your needs. The traditional long, thin bandage shape might be fine for blisters on your fingers, but if you have blisters on the back of your feet, for instance, you might be better off with a tape that you can cut into custom shapes.

Water resistance: If you plan to use your blister bandages while exercising, you should take into account whether they’re water-resistant. This will ensure they stay in place longer, even if you’re sweating!

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