Moleskin Bandages for Blisters / Moleskin Tape

What Causes Friction Blisters?

Friction blisters occur most commonly when something rubs repeatedly against the skin. The friction causes fluid to collect near the surface of the skin, in the uppermost layer of skin. Blisters can also be caused by extreme temperatures - both burns and frostbite cause blisters. 

When to Use Moleskin Bandages

Moleskin bandages are used to protect, prevent and eliminate blisters. They are especially ideal for blisters on the feet, since there is a lot of friction in that area, and therefore, sometimes regular bandages can have a hard time staying on. Moleskin bandages are also used to get rid of calluses and corns. These bandages are comfortable and conform to contours. 

Why Use a Moleskin Bandage instead of a Regular Bandage?

A quality moleskin bandage can be worn under shoes, and is designed so that it won’t slip out of place even in areas with a substantial amount of friction. Standard bandages are much more likely to slip off. If you do a lot of walking or athletic activities, keeping a moleskin band aid over the area is very beneficial for preventing blisters. 

How to Use Moleskin Bandages

Are you interested in wearing a moleskin bandage to help your blister heal? Then follow these directions to apply a moleskin bandage effectively. 

First, make sure the area around the blister is clean, and isn’t wet. Once you’ve done that, take a piece of moleskin that is about .75 of an inch larger than your blister, and fold it together so that the non-adhesive sides are touching (make sure not to stick the adhesive side together). Cut a half circle to the size of half the blister so that when you open the moleskin bandage back up, you have a hole in the center that is the size of your blister. Take off the backing, and put the moleskin over your blister, making sure that the opening is over the blister so that it’s not covered. 

The moleskin adhesive tape should surround the blister - it should not go on top of the blister or over any broken skin. If the blister is protruding past the moleskin, repeat steps 1 through 3, and place that piece of moleskin directly over the first. This ensures that the blister won’t rub against the shoe and become irritated. 

How to Remove a Moleskin Bandage

If the edges of the moleskin bandage stop sticking, and the bandage seems to be starting to peel, you can remove it and put on a new one. Wet the moleskin foot tape, and slowly and carefully pull off the bandage, making sure not to pull off the blister with the bandage. If the blister is still there, or to prevent a new blister from forming in the area, you can apply a new bandage. 

How to Prevent Blisters

Blisters are not pretty, and they’re painful, too. Do you keep getting them? Then you may want to check out our list of tips for preventing and getting rid of blisters. These are all natural methods, and relatively simple ones, too. 

Do you find that you’re always getting blisters when you wear certain shoes? Uncomfortable shoes are one of the biggest causes of blisters. If you think your shoes are causing the issues, look into getting better quality footwear. If you already have blisters on your feet, try using some moleskin tape for shoes. Another cause of blisters can be certain socks. Always wear non-cotton socks, such as nylon ones. If your socks become wet from sweat, change them, since walking in wet socks can easily cause blisters to develop. Using moleskin tape for blisters is very conducive for healing. 

Don’t Wear a Moleskin Bandage If…

Yes, there are circumstances where one should not wear a moleskin blister bandage. If you have diabetes or if you have poor blood circulation, avoid wearing a moleskin bandage. If none of the aforementioned conditions pertain to you, it should be okay for you to wear a moleskin bandage. 

What to Look for in Moleskin Bandages

When trying to find moleskin bandages, there are two main details to look out for. Neither of these are essential, but they do make it even easier to use a moleskin bandage, so you may as well try to find a bandage that offers the following. 

• Easy to cut. This way, you can cut the bandage to the exact size you need without worrying about ruining it in the process.
• The right thickness. You want it to be thick enough so that the blister doesn’t protrude past it. This ensures that the blister is properly protected. Either you can get a moleskin bandage that is the right thickness, or you can apply multiple layers of the bandage so that it is thick enough.
• The right level of adhesiveness. You want to make sure that the bandage is sticky enough so that it will stay on properly. Not all moleskin bandages are as adhesive as you want - try to choose a quality bandage from a brand you trust.

Moleskin stays put, and doesn’t slip out of place as quickly as regular bandages will. Whether you call it moleskin or moleskine, you’ll find the bandage you’re looking for at AvaCare Medical. If you have any questions, give us a call at 1.87.813.7799. Shop now!