Gel Heel Protectors, Clear

Product Information

It’s obvious that blisters can cause untold misery to walkers, not just for the immediate pain they cause but also for the potential infections that can occur if bacteria manages to get inside the exposed wound. Getting blisters on your feet is one of the biggest annoyances you can have while visiting Scotland.

If you like to expose your feet (high heels etc) you’ll be pleased to know Compeed patches are semitransparent so once applied they’re barely noticeable, and if you’re covering up a pre-existing blister they have a deep cushioning layer which allows you to get on with your day when you’d otherwise feel every touch against the exposed raw skin. Before I discovered these things I was a firm believer in supermarket own-brand plasters mainly because plasters are so expensive and they all do the same job, right? Third, I’ve now learnt that by placing these patches on my heel before I go for a walk I never get heel blisters in the first place, which my beloved Berghaus boots (link to my review) are prone to giving me. Sure, it means spending an extra couple of quid each time I go for a long walk, but they stay on for up to a week meaning one pair could last an entire holiday. There are a couple of downsides though. First, these plasters aren’t designed for use after you get a blister so there’s no cushioning or sterile pad like you get with Compeed.

For the infection to be diagnosed a small tissue sample may be taken after which they will likely prescribe antibiotics either in the form of an oral tablet or a cream or ointment that is applied directly to the affected area. If you feel the blister needs to be drained consult with your GP who will be able to release the fluid with a sterilized needle while keeping as much of the skin intact as possible. They will also cover the blister with a protective ointment and cover the wound with a dressing which will help prevent bacteria from entering it. Before doing any prodding and poking make sure your hands are thoroughly cleaned with soap and water and preferably give them an additional rinse with antibacterial gel. I’d say the material in these plasters is more durable than Compeed patches but they’re also more noticeable, so if you’re a lady wearing open shoes this probably isn’t the product for you. I write this having returned from a fantastic week in the Morar peninsula that was somewhat marred on the last day when my other half ended up with a couple of very painful blisters on her feet caused by ill-fitting shoes, as you can see in the photos above (no, they’re not my feet. Wrong colour nail polish).

Each patch has a hard-wearing but very smooth coating so your foot doesn’t suffer from shear friction which is the biggest cause of foot blisters.To fit them, you have to position the patch exactly on your insole in the location where it rubs, which is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the best way to find this out is actually get a blister so you can then take the insole out and position your foot on it to see where the patch has to go. After 2-5 days a new layer of skin grows and the bubble of fluid is reabsorbed into the body, after which the skin that contained the bubble dries up and peels off. Friction reducing -designed ultra-light and thin to easily conform to skin and minimize blister-causing friction

The best course of action is to take steps to reduce the possibility of getting them in the first place, but if you do end up getting one or two the following products should help no end.

Well… no, they don’t, and my faith in cheapo plasters disappeared completely after a friend recommended Compeed which are superior in every possible way, which is why I now happily recommend them to everyone. FAST HEALING: hydrocolloid active gel technology creates an optimal healing environment for foot blisters Ultra-durable - 100% engineered synthetic fiber tape is specially designed to stand up to the rigors and harsh conditions facing Elite athletes during training and competition