I have been asked ‘How Can I Stop Blisters En Pointe’ all too often which has prompted me to write the reasons for the occurrence of the blisters and prevention methods.  Friction between your toes and your pointe shoe will typically result in blisters en pointe. The moist, warm condition in your shoe often exacerbated by toe pads, is perfect for the development of blisters en pointe. However, blisters will only occur if there is pressure on a specific part of the foot. Often dancers get blisters on the top of their toes due to the toes clawing in the shoes, so this is definitely the first thing to correct.

Taping your blister prone areas before class will definitely help relieve the pressure. Other commonly used remedies are silicone toe sleeves and toe pads. Please remember to wash your toe pads frequently, (Its amazing how many dancers don’t do this!) and if possible, use alternate pairs of pointe shoes on consecutive days, to let them dry out completely between wears.

The best protection against infection is the blister’s own skin. However, if you must drain a blister, keep the top layer of skin intact covering the blister. First, clean the blister with rubbing alcohol, sterilise a needle, puncture a tiny hole at the edge of the blister and drain the fluid with gentle pressure. An open wound is exposed for infection, so I advise you to clean the area once more and dress it.

Written by; Vicki Attard

Watch the following video for more information on blisters and how to prevent them.

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