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Taping

1,829 bytes added, 01:29, 20 May 2012
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=Blister Supplies=This is a list of supplies for treating blisters.<gallery widths=400px 300px heights=350px 200px caption="TapesBlister Treatment Supplies">
File:IMG 0097.JPG|Leukotape P, showing the slightly course texture
File:IMG 0100.JPG|Hypafix tape, which has a backing that is cut down the middle. You can see the thinness and porous nature of this tape.
File:IMG 0095.JPG|Micropore tape in two widths, showing the thinness and the flat texture.
File:IMG 0099.JPG|Elastikon tape, showing the texture, which is rather course.
File:IMG 0183.JPG|Cleaning the area is critical. Simple alcohol swabs work reasonably well, but a gauze pad soaked in rubbing alcohol is more effective.
File:IMG 0189.JPG|Adhesive promoters are nearly always needed to get tape to stick well. Tincture of Benzoin (friar’s balsom) is cheaper than Mastiol, but not as strong. The spray bottle that Tincture of Benzoin comes in is rather useless, so I transfer to a smaller bottle and use a brush to apply it. Some type of powder should be used so the excess adhesive promoter does not stick where it’s not wanted. I use Zeasorb, but baby powder is as good for this. [http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/foot_care/adhesives/product125.html Friar's Balsam/Tinture of Benzoin at Zombie Runner] and [http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/foot_care/adhesives/product1026.html Mastisol at Zombie Runner].
File:IMG 0187.JPG|I’ve found these Scotch non-stick scissors to be good for cutting the tape as they don’t gum up as quickly as others and are long enough to cut the tape in one snip. The folding scissors can be handy, especially for delicate cuts of the tape like the butterfly needed for between the toes. I don’t use scissors to cut blisters.
File:IMG 0102.JPG|This adhesive remover works great for removing tape, especially around blisters. You still have to be careful, easing up the edges and applying some of the detachol, but it's quite easy. I use a cotton bud to rub the detachol at the point where the tape meets the skin. It seems to leave no residue or upset the skin in any way. [http://www.eloquesthealthcare.com/products/detachol.aspx Eloquest Healthcare Detachol]
File:IMG 0188.JPG|These nail snips are useful for trimming awkward nails, but can be used to pop a blister. Generally it’s better to use a needle, but sometimes I’ve used these as a last resort.
File:IMG 0101.JPG|I’ve found these handy for trimming problem nails, and for filling down calluses.
File:IMG 0190.JPG|Twezers are useful for positioning tape accurately, and occasionally for repositioning torn skin. Sometimes I’ve used tweezers to hold a blister in place while it’s popped.
File:IMG 0184.JPG|I prefer to use hypodermic needles for popping blisters. The 18 gauge needle works well at producing a reasonable size hole that is less likely to reseal, though multiple punctures may be necessary. The finer gauge 25 gauge can be used on thicker skin. The very fine 33 gauge needle is for blood glucose testing; I don’t often use these, but they are far easier to buy than a hypodermic. (Pharmacies are reluctant to sell hypodermics without some obvious medical justification, so I get mine online in bulk.)
File:IMG 0185.JPG|Here’s a close up of the needles for comparison. If you look closely at the hypodermics, you can hopefully see the shape of the tip, which is very sharp and punctures the skin easily. (You may have to click to get full size image.)
File:IMG 0103.JPG|If you’re working on other runner’s feet during a race, you need to keep track of time.
</gallery>
 
=Adhesive Promoter=
* '''Friar's Balsam<ref> http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/foot_care/adhesives/product125.html Friar's Balsam/Tinture of Benzoin at Zombie Runner</ref>''' Also known as Tincture of Benzoin, this helps tapes stick much better. I find it important to apply the balsam to the area where the tape is going to be placed; If you miss a spot, then the tape will tend to lift up in that spot. If you over apply it, you can remove the excess with rubbing alcohol or smother it with talcum powder.
* '''Mastisol<ref> http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/foot_care/adhesives/product1026.html Mastisol at Zombie Runner</ref>''' This is seems to work better than Friar's Balsam – it is claimed to be 7-10 times sticker. I'm not sure if that is true, but it does work remarkably well. Easy to apply, but expensive!
=Adhesive Remover=
* '''Detachol<ref>Eloquest Healthcare Detachol http://www.eloquesthealthcare.com/products/detachol.aspx</ref>''' This adhesive remover works great for removing tape, especially around blisters. You still have to be careful, easing up the edges and applying some of the detachol, but it's quite easy. I use a cotton bud to rub the detachol at the point where the tape meets the skin. It seems to leave no residue or upset the skin in any way.
=How to tape a blister=
I've practiced taping my own blisters, and worked the Umstead 100 aid station, taping many runners feet.

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