5 Ways to Prevent Blisters from Pointe Shoes

Most Common Blister Causes

Many things cause blisters, however, for dancers, the main sources are friction, pressure, heat, and ruptured blood vessels. If you are wearing the wrong sized pointe shoe, or you are dancing for an extended length of time, friction and heat are likely causing your blisters. If a red blister forms on your foot, then your blister was likely caused by ruptured blood vessels that occur when the skin is crushed or pinched.

5 Tried and True Tricks to Prevent Blisters

Blisters are awful, but there are some dependable ways that you can combat them. Try out these 5 tips and tricks that dancers have been using for years.

1. Check the Fit of the Shoe

Blisters form on a dancer’s feet when they are either just starting with pointe shoes or are changing to a new pair. If you are experiencing new or chronic blisters, it is a sign that your shoes are either too small or too large for your feet. To help prevent blisters make sure you are wearing the correct size pointe shoe

Shoes that are too small cause corns and bunions to form, while shoes that are too large cause heat blisters to develop. When this occurs, locate your nearest dancewear provider and get fitted for a new pair of pointe shoes. You will be amazed at how much better your feet will feel when you wear the correct size pointe shoe.

2. Wear Tights and Use a Foot Odor and Perspiration Barrier

A new trend in the dance world has pointe dancers not wearing their tights. Tights provide a necessary barrier between the skin of the foot and the interior of the point shoe. Without tights, blisters caused by heat and pressure are bound to happen. Ignore this fashion trend and wear tights. Specifically, wear tights made of polyester or microfiber. Tights made from these materials will wick away sweat and will reduce your chance of getting a blister.

In addition to tights, use 2Toms FootShield Foot Odor and Perspiration Barrier on your feet or powder in your pointe shoes. A foot odor and perspiration barrier will keep your feet dry and prevent friction. If you decide to wear tights that are cotton instead of a microfiber or polyester, the foot odor and perspiration barrier will prevent your sweat from making your feet slide and rub inside the shoe.

2Toms® FootShield® Foot Odor and Perspiration Barrier

$15.99

3. Tape Your Feet 

If blisters have already formed or are a chronic issue for you, tape your feet where the shoe is causing a blister. The best thing to use is moleskin wrapped with tape or an adhesive bandage that will not come off due to sweat. When bandaging your foot, be sure that the bandage is twice the size of the affected area.

When wrapping, remember that your feet will swell during the day, so don’t wrap too tight or you may cut off blood flow to the taped area and cause even more damage to your feet. The top adhesive bandage on the market for blisters is 2Toms® Skin-On-Skin® 1” Squares. 2Toms Skin-On-Skin prevents friction and resists sweat, while hydrating and softening the skin, thus preventing blisters from forming.

2Toms® Skin-on-Skin® Hydrogel Blister Treatment, 1" Squares

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4. Drain the Blister Fluid

Only lance the blister if the fluid is clear. Blisters filled with red fluid are filled with blood and can become infected if lanced. If you decide to lance your blister, there are specific steps you must follow:

• Wash the blister with soap and water or swab it and the surrounding area with rubbing alcohol.
• Gently make a hole in your blister with a sharp, sterilized instrument (i.e., a knife, a needle, etc.) and allow the fluid to drain out.
• Air out your blister overnight.
• In the morning, apply antibiotic ointment to your blister and bandage it.

After all of this, look out for any signs of infection, like press in the blister or pain extending up the ankle and leg.

5. Rest and Relax

The best way for your feet to heal is through rest and relaxation. Blisters, especially blood blisters, take time and patience to heal. By taking pressure off of your feet, your blisters will heal faster. However, if you cannot take a break, soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath. The Epsom salts and warm water will heal the skin and help reduce swelling. This method is also great as a preventative measure and will stop new blisters from forming.