“Rehabmart offers many different types of athletic tape and elastic adhesive bandages at discount prices. Visit the site to see these great products!”                                      
 
Get a Grip: A Look at Friction

Friction may be the name of the game when it comes to holding onto a baseball bat, but when you want to prevent chaffing and blisters, tapes or wraps may be just the right solution along with padding. Protecting your skin this summer from blisters, callouses, chaffing and irritation can go a long way towards a happier vacation, and a healthier you!

A blister is caused through friction or heat to the skin. This friction creates a tear between the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) and the lower layers. This results in serum leaking into the space between the two skin layers and consequently, the surface of the skin is pushed out a little. This is why a blister is raised and filled with fluid.

A blister appears to protect the tissue under the skin. The bubble is there to protect this area from any further damage and allows it to heal undisturbed.

Blisters are common amongst athletes who work for long periods of time and exert lots of friction onto certain areas. For example, a marathon runner will place a lot of friction on their feet as their shoes will be rubbing for hours on end. Another example could be a golfer, who can be susceptible to blisters on the hands due to the friction between the hand and golf club.

Athletes are not the only people affected though. If a person was wearing shoes that were too big, the feet would be the subject of excess friction and this could result in a blister.
 
Body powders are also advised for areas where tape cannot or should not go on the body. For light protection, try one of our many types of powders designed to reduce friction.
 
Tape can also be used to protect unstable joints where repeated or severe ligament damage has resulted in stretching of the ligaments and joint laxity. For examples athletes who repeatedly suffer ankle sprains due to laxity of the joint may benefit from taping or wearing an ankle brace to support the joint because the ligaments have been stretched too much to do their job properly.
 
Rehabmart.com now carries many different styles of wraps and tapes that can be used alone or in conjunction. These are designed with the athlete in mind, however have a wide range of applications.
 
For example:  Working in the garden with a knee brace? Try using Mueller Tear-Light Tape to keep the brace in place as you bend and lift.  Mueller® Tear-light® Tape is a lightweight and elastic medical athletic tape. It provides superior adhesion with excellent conformability. Ideal for securing lateral knee braces, as a compression wrap or fixation bandage for padding and cold packs.
 
From library.rehabmart.com
You can also use it to hold the ice pack in place afterwards, if you over do it.
 
 
Repetitive raking, or skin already burned? Try using Mueller Dermal Pads to protect your skin after an especially bad burn if you have to cover the site.  Mueller® Dermal Pads are specifically recommended to help protect from blisters, burns, sensitive skin areas and as a shock absorber from tender skin areas and bruises. Dermal Pads are reticulated closed cell elastomers. Pads may be adhered directly to skin with tape, gauze or elastic bandage for protection from pressure and friction at body site lacking soft tissue padding.
 
From library.rehabmart.com
 
Mueller Stick-On Padding Kit can take the bite out of using a shovel or other tool with it's callous protection.   Mueller® Stick-On Padding Kit is an adhesive-backed, closed cell polyethylene foam with superior sticking power and good pressure absorption against blisters, corns, calluses and friction prone areas. Latex-free.
 

                         
From library.rehabmart.com

Tennis shoes rubbing your ankles, or protective headgear chaffing? Mueller Pro Strips can go virtually anywhere, and are large enough to be cut to size.  Mueller® Pro Strips™ are adhesive mesh, pressure-sensitive strips that adhere to skin for a good protection wear against turf burns, scrapes, blisters, calluses - wherever abrasion control is needed.
                                       
From library.rehabmart.com
 
To protect more than just the ankle while hiking, try Mueller Mwrap in a wide variety of colors.  Mueller® MWrap® Natural pre-taping foam underwrap helps protect skin from athletic tape chafing. It can be used to hold pads and socks in place and as a wrap inside hiking boots, ski boots, and other athletic footwear.  Mueller Foam Rubber can also provide padding inside of a shoe or boot.
From library.rehabmart.comFrom library.rehabmart.com
 
Sweating underneath your protective gear? Try Mueller Mtac Pre-Tape Spray! Mueller® MTac™ Non-Aerosol Pre-Tape Spray helps athletic tape and pre-wrap stick better to skin. It can also be used for wound care. Sprayer pumps a fine mist, creating an even tack. Convenient non-aerosol formula is stainless and fast-drying.
 
Mueller Adhesive Mesh won't sweat off, and can protect those sensitive areas prone to friction in the heat.  Mueller® Adhesive Mesh is a 6 x 10 inch synthetic fiber with adhesive backing that can be cut and fitted over any moveable surface. Helps protect hands and feet from blisters and calluses.
 
From library.rehabmart.com
 
Then finally, at the end of the day when the sun has managed to take it's toll, it's time for Mueller More Skin.   Mueller® More Skin™ is effective for wound care to protect and help prevent blisters, soothes abrasions, cuts, and scratches. It also helps ease minor burns, including sunburn. Hydrogel wound dressing provides moisture for healing, absorbs wound secretions, and helps protect against contamination. Sheet can be cut to desired shape and size.
 
From library.rehabmart.com
 
Remember to avoid friction burns and blisters at all costs, so that you don't have to interrupt an outing by having to rest on the sidelines.  However, if you do develop a blister:
 
 Clean around the area of the blister with warm water and soap. Consider adding anti-bacterial ointment.

  1. Decide if you want to let the blister heal by itself or whether you want to drain it. As a general rule of thumb, if the blister is not making walking painful, then you should let it heal by itself.

  2. Drain the blister if it is impractical to let it heal otherwise. Please follow all precautions for ensuring your safety, if you choose to do so.

  3. Allow the blister to heal in the open air as much as possible.  Keeping the area clean and dry while also uncovered will help it heal.

 

Compiled by Denise L. Kelley, Medical Consumer Writer 
and 
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO