From the Guidelines
To treat leg blisters after a basketball game, it is recommended to leave small and medium blisters intact, and to puncture and drain larger blisters while leaving the blister roof in place, as it forms a natural dressing. When treating leg blisters, consider the following steps:
- Clean the area gently with mild soap and water, then pat dry.
- For intact blisters, leave them alone if possible as the skin provides natural protection against infection.
- If a blister is large or painful, you can drain it by sterilizing a needle with alcohol, puncturing the edge of the blister, and gently pressing out the fluid while keeping the skin intact, as suggested by the European Dermatology Forum consensus 1.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, then cover with a sterile bandage or blister-specific bandage.
- Change the bandage daily or when it becomes wet or dirty.
- Consider using baths containing antiseptics and/or wheat starch, and covering extensive erosive lesions with nonadherent dressings to reduce bacterial superinfection and pain, as well as to promote healing 1.
- Take pain relief medication if needed, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- To prevent future blisters, wear moisture-wicking socks, properly fitted basketball shoes, and consider applying petroleum jelly or specialized anti-friction products to areas prone to blistering before games.
- Monitor for signs of infection, such as increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaks extending from the blister, and seek medical attention if necessary.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage To treat leg blisters after a basketball game, clean the affected area and apply a small amount of bacitracin ointment (about the size of the tip of a finger) 1 to 3 times daily. The affected area may be covered with a sterile bandage 2.
From the Research
Treating Leg Blisters after a Basketball Game
To treat leg blisters after a basketball game, consider the following steps:
- Early aspiration of the fluid and protecting the blister roof can help in the treatment of friction blisters 3
- Proper care of the blister site will ward off infection, a possible complication of both spontaneous rupture and therapeutic draining 4
- Draining intact blisters and maintaining the blister roof results in the least patient discomfort and may reduce the possibility of secondary infection 5
- Treating deroofed blisters with hydrocolloid dressings provides pain relief and may allow patients to continue physical activity if necessary 5
Prevention of Leg Blisters
Prevention is key to avoiding leg blisters, some preventive measures include:
- Wearing properly fitted shoes that are broken in slowly 3
- Using protective padding over potential sites of blister formation 3
- Using drying foot powders and nonslip insoles 3
- Wearing foot socks composed of acrylic or a thin polyester sock, combined with a thick wool or polypropylene sock that maintains its bulk when exposed to sweat and compression 5
General Foot Care
General foot care is also important in preventing and treating leg blisters, including: