How to Treat Blisters from Soccer Cleat at Home
Are you a devoted soccer player but feel like your heel blisters from soccer cleats are keeping you from the pitch? Our team at Premium Soccer in Montreal has firsthand experience with this common dilemma.
That's why we created this guide to help explain what causes cleat blisters and how to treat & avoid blisters so that every player can get back out on the pitch and play in total comfort.
What Causes Soccer Cleat Blisters?
Blisters formed from soccer cleats are common. Anyone who plays the game regularly has dealt with them at some point. Friction between the cleats and the feet is the leading cause of this annoyance.
Soccer is a very stop-start game. It involves a lot of short-burst sprints and athletic movements to stop, twist, go left and right, etc. These movements mean that your body weight drives the feet and heels against the material of the cleat. When combined with heat and sweat, this frequent rubbing causes the skin to develop pockets of fluid called blisters.
Poorly fitting shoes make this friction far worse. Also, choosing the wrong materials for your shoes and socks further deepens the problem. So, let's look at how you can treat blisters from soccer cleats at home.
The Best Way to Treat Blisters from Soccer Cleats At Home
Blisters from cleats don't have to take you out of the game. Here's what to do if your soccer cleats give you blisters.
- Cover the blister: Covering the blister with a bandage is a good option. Raise the sides of the bandage so it doesn't apply too much pressure. We recommend Second Skin bandages, which you can get at any of these places:
Advanced Healing Blister Adhesive Bandages
Hydrocolloid Waterproof Adhesive Bandages
- Padding: Padding is a good idea and option if you get blisters on your toes from soccer cleats. It also works if they appear on the bottom of your feet. Cut the padding with a hole large enough to leave the blister exposed, then cover the blister with a bandage.
- Treat the blister: Clean it with soap and warm water, then sterilize it with alcohol or disinfectant. Then, take a sterile needle (or something similar) to gently puncture the blister in a few spots near the edge. Apply clean gauze and drain the blister, using soft pressure if needed. Cover the blister with a bandage or gauze, and watch for excessive redness, pus, or infections.
Popping or bursting the blister should be your last resort. Since this method carries the risk of infection, we recommend getting your more prominent blisters checked by a medical professional before resorting to this option.
How to Prevent Soccer Cleat Blisters
Learning how to not get blisters from soccer cleats is essential if you want to perform at your best. Here are some tips for how to prevent soccer cleat blisters.
- Break in your cleats: New boots are the most common cause of blisters from soccer cleats. So break them in before matches or training. Put them on and jog around with them before slowly increasing motion and intensity.
- Use quality socks: Good soccer socks will give you the grip needed to reduce blister-causing slippage. Additionally, thicker, more durable material in your chosen pair of socks will minimize contact and reduce friction between the skin and the boot.
- Pick the right shoe size: You can reduce the chance of blisters from soccer cleats if you get the right size boot. If boots are too tight, there is too much contact and pressure. If they're too loose, friction is increased.
- Practice excellent hygiene: Keeping the skin clean and your feet dry will reduce movement and friction while reducing the likelihood of picking up an infection.
- Pad the right areas: If you regularly get blisters from soccer cleats, pad the vulnerable affected areas with gauze to reduce the effects of friction.
- Use antiperspirant to keep vulnerable areas dry: An antiperspirant spray can reduce the amount of sweat in your cleats, leading to fewer blisters and you feeling more comfortable as your feet are clean and dry in your cleats.
Make Sure to Choose the Right Soccer Cleats for You
Dealing with blisters from soccer cleats is about more than just finding the right socks and the right-sized shoe. It's also about choosing the right type of soccer cleats. Different kinds of cleats work best depending on the surface you typically play on.
So dodge blisters from soccer cleats by selecting the right one from the following categories:
While looking for cleats online is super convenient, nothing beats the experience of going in-store, trying them on yourself, and speaking to experienced pros.
If you're in the market for a pair of cleats, come visit Premium Soccer in Montreal to get some guidance from our pros and experience the boots first-hand. You can even take the cleats on our indoor turf surface for an actual trial run.
How long does it take for blisters from soccer cleats to heal?
Minor blisters from soccer cleats can go in a week; however, more severe cases might take two to three weeks to heal fully.
You might be wondering, can I still play soccer with blisters on my feet? The answer is yes, but you'll need to treat them to avoid pain. Drain the blister, apply some protective covering such as a bandage and tape, and you'll be good to go.
What type of socks should I wear to prevent blisters from soccer cleats?
We mentioned earlier in the how to prevent blisters from soccer cleats section the importance of specially designed socks. At Premium Sports, we offer a range of soccer socks from brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Pure.
Pure Grip socks blend breathability and absorption with a stretchier and softer material. They'll give you all the grip you need at an affordable price.
Visit Premium Soccer for expert soccer advice
If you need additional advice on how to stop getting blisters from soccer cleats or you have questions on any other shoe or equipment subjects, get in touch with Premium Soccer. Our pros are always ready to answer any and all of your care, maintenance, and prevention queries related to soccer.
