| Hiking is becoming one of America's favorite past | | | | above, are now being used and are often times |
| times. It allows you to explore exciting new | | | | better and providing cushion and dryness to your |
| locales and see natural beauty while doing a | | | | feet during long hikes. Try out a few brands and |
| wonderful thing for your body and mind. What | | | | see which ones are most comfortable for you. If |
| happens however when problems arise? There | | | | you stop at some point along your hike and feel |
| are many injuries that you can sustain while hiking, | | | | the need to take off your boots (though its not |
| one of the most common is a blister. A blister is | | | | advisable if you are only hiking for one day), |
| not terribly dangerous, though if left untreated, it | | | | make sure you rinse them and dry them |
| could become infected and require serious medical | | | | thoroughly before putting your boots back on. |
| treatment. A blister occurs when your boot or | | | | You don't want to have a pebble stuck in your |
| sock rubs against your skin, causing friction and | | | | sock, and you certainly don't want to make them |
| leading to a wearing away of the skin. It can | | | | wetter then your natural sweat is already doing. |
| occur for several reasons, shoes not fitting | | | | If you have a blister, treatment can be started |
| properly or needing to be broken in, socks that | | | | out on the trail. Everything you need can be found |
| slip and even moisture on your feet. | | | | in your first aid kit, a must for any outdoor |
| Prevention, is as usual, the best medicine. It is | | | | sportsman. When you first notice that you are |
| extremely important to purchase good quality and | | | | getting a blister, stop and take your boot off to |
| properly fitting hiking boots for use whenever you | | | | examine your foot. You should clean and disinfect |
| head out on a trail. Consult with the salespeople to | | | | the area with alcohol or antibacterial cream. Once |
| ensure that your boot fits properly and will offer | | | | this has been done, you can pierce the blister |
| the protection that your feet require. You may | | | | near its base, horizontally with a sterilized needle. |
| have heard that stiffer boots will provide better | | | | Gently squeeze the fluid out but do not remove |
| protection and will soften up as you wear them, | | | | the skin covering it (this is there for your own |
| they however may not be comfortable until they | | | | protection). You should then cover the area with |
| have been broken in. Why not find a pair that is | | | | a bandaid or moleskin to protect it from further |
| comfortable from the moment you put it on and | | | | damage. Once you return to civilization, clean the |
| does not require a breaking in period. The next | | | | wound and treat it accordingly. |
| thing you will need is properly fitting socks. | | | | While preventing a blister is the best way to |
| Hiking socks have traditionally been made using | | | | protect yourself, once you have one, your trip is |
| silk, cotton and wool. However, new materials | | | | not ruined. With proper treatment you will be able |
| such as lycra, polyester and combinations of the | | | | to finish out your hiking trip with little or no pain. |