8,101
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
m
no edit summary
Even the best socks will not prevent blisters if you have bad [[Running Form]] or bad [[Shoes]]. However, a bad sock will cause blisters on its own; it’s vital to avoid cotton socks, or cheap socks not made for running. If you are on a tight budget, try to get a sock with seamless construction and good wicking (moisture transport) properties such as Coolmax. See [[Blister Prevention and Socks]] for more details.
===Hydration===
Dehydration can be a contributor to blisters, as the skin loses some of its tension ([http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/17223.htm skin turgor]) with significant dehydration. However, reduction in skin turgor is generally associated with 6-9% dehydration (excluding [[Glycogen]] depletion water losses), at which point the dehydration itself should be more of a problem than the blisters. [[Hyponatremia]] is a dangerous condition and one of the symptoms is swelling of the hands and feet, which can cause black toenails or blisters. Read up on [[Practical Hydration]] and [[The Science Of Hydration 101]].
===Calluses===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callus Calluses] are a sign of poor fitting [[Shoes]]. A callus is a spot that is likely to turn into a blister with longer distances. You can file down a callus and keep is moisturized, but that is a symptomatic approach. The key is to fix the underlying problem, which is normally the fit of your [[Shoes]]. Note that a callus is a spot that is thickening; the general thickening of the skin due to being barefoot does not tend to cause this problem. The key is to watch out for small areas or spots that have excessively thick skin.
