As a hiker who learned the hard way during/after her first hike, it's all about the socks. $6.99 for four pair was plenty to pay for socks before I started hiking. About half way through that 8 mike hike I started complaining to other hikers about the blisters I was getting. They looked at me like I had two heads. They never got blisters even during much longer hikes. The secret was good socks. And of course appropriate, well fitted shoes. I went to REI the next day and bought two pairs of Thurlo socks for $12 each (gulp) and have not had one blister since,

So, can't help your friend now, but it's all about being proactive. Getting high quality hiking socks and good shoes.

Jodi-

That was exactly my thought too Jodi. I'm going to definitely suggest it to her....after the fact. Thanks for your reiteration.

And, the operative phrase is, "in this heat and humidity". Socks and shoes that are fine in cooler months, just are not when the temps get high.

Jasdip, I think epsom salts is/are magnesium sulfate and when I googled it, it was suggested as a remedy for sore feet and advised to dissove in hot water first. Not the same as table salt.

I just did a quick search on the REI site for the Thurlo socks I buy and it appears the price has gone up to $15/pair. Still worth every penny in my opinion.

These are lightweight, low top socks (for less of a tan line) with an oh so soft, cushiony feel. I love them so much and now have four pair.

The nice thing about Thurlo is that they carry women's sizes. I wear a size 6.5 shoe so the typical sock, size 6-9 are always ill fitting because I'm at the bottom end of the size run. The Thurlo size Small are perfect for me and there is no bunching at the toes. Big plus if you're doing a lot of walking or hiking, especially downhill.

I have credit earned from my yearly purchases at REI so I plan on buy even more of these sock as I wear them when I do the treadmill at work and Zumba classes at the local rec center. Heck sometimes I just wear them as slippers around the house since they are so incredibly soft.

Can you tell I love my Thurlos? :-)

Jodi- (who has no affiliation whatsoever or stock with Thurlo LOL)

Here is a link that might be useful: Thurlo light hiker mini crew socks

Does sore feet mean open wounds? I would just wash them in warm water, apply neosporin, cover with gauze and wear a pair of heavy socks until you can buy the ones recommended. I have hiked long distances, not often but never needed special socks. One hike up the two falls in Yosemite which was 7 miles, no blisters at all. Don't even remember what kind of shoes I wore.

I just found this on the internet. Scroll down, the first part is preventing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blisters

We have also had great luck with Smart Wool socks. Sounds crazy to wear wool socks in the summer, but the runners at this house swear by them! They are also $$ - but worth it. And they don't get nearly as stinky of feet in them.

The brand name is Smart Wool, and we buy the short "no show" ones. Also have some high ones that have padded shins for skiing.

Believer in Epsom Salts!

If she already has blisters, she can put self-adhesive moleskin over them so they won't get worse. Dr. Scholl's makes some.

I love Johnson's Foot Soap for soaking my feet.

Whenever I've had to break in skates it was very soothing and non irritating. I still use it for at home pedis or just whenever my feet are tired.

For small blisters they have paint on blister cover. She could also use corn pads,moleskin and sponge cosmetic pads in the areas depending on the size and location of the blistered area.

Blisters are caused by rubbing. She needs to invest in good moisture wicking socks like Smartwool or poly that fit well and don't bunch and a good pair of walking shoes or hikers that are properly fitted.

If you can find them, BandAid makes an advance care blister care bandage that will help heal those bad boys and may relieve some of the irritation. They work great, stay on for several days and really heal the blister.

They make a friction stick that's nice too. I agree with everyone else. Good socks and shoes!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Band-Aid Products

I have used that blister band-aid to and it worked VERY well!

I agree that good socks make a huge difference. I like both Thurlos and SmartWool. When my husband is hiking long distances he wears silk liner socks under wool hiking socks.

I also love moleskin. I've never tried the BandAid blister product, but it sounds great.

A few years ago when I was hitch-hiking in Alberta during the summer, got blisters and was worried about continuing journey when stopped to visit a friend who'd been an agricultural advisor in Korea when I was there (they with their four daughters bunked with Sue and me for a few months, shortly after our marriage, in our little two-bedroom, Japanese style house, left over from the time when Japan ran Korea).

Irene had an aloe vera plant, and rubbed the goo from one of the spikes on my blistered area. I got a pair of cotton socks rather than the synthetics that I'd been wearing, as well.

Next day, on arrival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to visit other friends (I spent six years in univ. and seminary there) the feet were almost healed.

So I learned to sing the praises of aloe vera juice, applied directly.

ole joyfuelled

If you start to get a blister on the back of your heel, this'll get you through the rest of the day.

Apply a gause pad over the affected area. Hold in place with Nexcare paper tape or equivalent (all available at CVS pharmacy). Put your sock on over the pad. This does wonders in protecting the raw area. Use each day until a healed and tough skin develops. This works best if appleid at first sign of abrason and before a big blister develops.

You wouldn't believe how I got my blister. It was from driving on a long trip in hot weather. For most of the year, my trips are less than 100 miles and I never encounter this problem, but with old age and tender feet, and along trip, I got it. After 300 miles into a 600 mile day, it started. The heel of my throtle foot blistered.

These days, when I go on trip, I take along my blister kit. Its a box of gauze pads and two diepensers of Nexcare paper tape in a zip lock bag. You do need special tape to stick and yet be compatible with your skin. Nexcare is a micropoe, paper, hospital tape by the 3M company.

Yes, I could get some relief by using cruise control, but for safety and practical reasons, I restrict when I use the cruies control. I do not use it in heavy traffic, in fluctuating road conditions, or when tired. If you use cruise control when tired, you may doze off with bad consequences.

She's wrong. Heat and humidity do not cause blisters and raw heels. Improper attire is the problem or wearing it wrong. She's doing it to herself. Blisters are caused by friction. Stop that and you will cut down the blisters. Loose shoes, wrong sized socks and the like will contribute to it.

I know a lot of mail carriers and I have had a lot of jobs where I'm on my feet all day. It's not heat and humidity. Wear comfortable shoes, properly sized shoes and socks and the blisters/rawness will stop coming. Washing the feet will give relief. Covering the blisters so it doesn't compound the effect of rubbing and that will help. The loose skin of the blister when it pops will rub and irritate the tender skin inside too so she has to deal with that. I usually pop blisters, clean it and cover with a bandage while it's healing.

Another thing that I liked were the cushioned insoles. A lot of times I doubled them up when I was working on concrete floors and it made for a much softer walk and the feet felt much better at the end of the day. Thick, cushioned soles on shoes helped too.