Tiny Tips: blisters

Blisters are painful and super inconvenient.  Usually blisters pop up when you are wearing a new pair of shoes that aren't broke in yet.  For class, apply a first aid drying powder to blisters, then cover them with band-aids or tape.  Try not to pop or drain them; they will eventually heal themselves.

If you have a big performance with long numbers (especially pointe variations) and your blister is very large or painful, you can drain it by gently puncturing it with a sanitized needle and very carefully pressing on it to release some of the liquid.  Try not to remove the skin from the blister; that will just make it hurt more.  Apply some drying powder, then add a band-aid or tape.

After you are finished dancing for the day, apply a square of 2nd skin (available from some drugstores or amazon.com) to the blister.  This will help the blister feel cool, stop hurting, and heal more quickly.