A blister might sound benign to some, but it can be very painful and a real annoyance when you are striving to survive. When you get one, especially on your foot, you want it healed as quickly as possible. Being weighed down by a minor injury is not ideal when every moment counts.
A blood blister is an indication that something not so ideal is going on with your blood and circulatory system. Damage has occurred there which in turn has caused the blister. These are even more painful than conventional blisters and you will want relief like yesterday.
There are several products to consider that treat both blisters and blood blisters. Some are pretty good.
What Causes Blisters?
Numerous things can cause blisters on the skin. They are painful fluid filled pockets. The most common cause of the formation of blisters might be from friction. If your shoes aren’t comfortable or fit a little tight, and a lot of walking or running takes place, a blister might form. Another cause of blisters might come from a burn you’ve suffered. If you’re bugging out, poisonous plants could be the cause of your blisters. You could also be prone to blisters from an auto-immune condition you or a loved one suffers from. Bacterial or viral infections can also be the cause.
Some of these things you can avoid with certainty. Things happen though, and having the first aid skills to treat a blister effectively is important. You cannot put yourself at risk of an infection when you are struggling to survive. The potential of the area being infected is the most pressing concern when blisters arise.
How Do You Treat Blisters?
Having blisters is something you want to recover from quickly, regardless of the situation. In the fast paced SHTF pursuit of survival, that is especially true. It might be said that the sheer adrenaline we’ll be experiencing will alleviate any nagging pain blisters might bring about, but there’s the risk of infection we have to be concerned with. A speedy healing need to be the priority for sure.
It is generally advised to keep the blister intact, as the blister is acting as a protective barrier against infection. While aiming to keep the blister intact, good bandaging is an important measure to take to prevent itching the area. If the blister does break, be sure to wash the area thoroughly, or if you’re at your bug out location use a disinfectant like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and applying fresh bandages. Be sure that your first aid kit is stocked with these items. Taking over the counter pain medication can help with any pain you’re enduring. Keeping the affected area elevated will help speed your recovery.
This is also another reason why you need to prioritize nutrients in your food preps. Nutrients like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, in addition to protein, will help your blisters heal faster. I suppose you could have supplements in your first aid supplies, but having the nutrients in your actual food is preferred. When you’re nutrient deficient, it will likely take longer for your blister or blisters to heal, prolonging all the disadvantages that brings in a time of survival.
