Preventing blisters

[TheArmourer]

Having had a brief break from fencing, the calouses on my hand have softened up and after a few sessions back I've now got a blister just where the skin of my palm folds at the base of my little finger.

Taping is fine for other parts of the fingers but doesn't really work here as it just gets rucked up.

Any suggestions on prevention as I know a few people who suffer similar problems?

[CvilleFencer]

What type of grip do you use? Chances are you can make it more "sticky" and more padded by adding athletic/medical or even fencing tape around the contact point. Also if you use a version of the Belgian/American/Shermasport grips LP makes a little plastic thingy that goes over the bottom prong. I forget what it is supposed to do, but it makes the point a bit easier to place for my hands and would most likely fix your blister problems as it is somewhat soft and being thicker, you would not slide around as much.

[TheArmourer]

I've got an Allstar grip.
Any idea what the LP little plastic thingy is? Can't find anything that fits the description on the website.

But I think the problem is as much to do with the way the skin folds and then the palm of the glove on top of that.

[aisha]

In the meantime, have you ever tried products like Nu-Skin or Second Skin? These are carried in some pharmacies. Gymnasts use these products that act like a temporary callus for troublesome areas that blister/split so they can continue their sport. Just an idea.

Best,

aisha

[mrbiggs]

Having had a brief break from fencing, the calouses on my hand have softened up and after a few sessions back I've now got a blister just where the skin of my palm folds at the base of my little finger.

Taping is fine for other parts of the fingers but doesn't really work here as it just gets rucked up.

Any suggestions on prevention as I know a few people who suffer similar problems?

Yeah, I have a ginormous calous right there. I thought I was the only one.

[fixxmyweapon]

I know this is gonna sound super weird but just listen- I used to dance [this isn't the weird part yet] and would get blisters on my feet from my pointe shoes. To get rid of them or make them better before they got worse, I was told to take vitamin E liquid gel tabs, cut them open, and put the gel E stuffies on my blisters or where I would get them. [there, thats the weird part] And it worked surprisingly well. Try it if you are feeling adventurous.

[Boo Boo]

Having had a brief break from fencing, the calouses on my hand have softened up and after a few sessions back I've now got a blister just where the skin of my palm folds at the base of my little finger.

I get "told off" when I get blisters/calouses here (I do) - because I shouldn't be gripping hard enough to get them that far down my hand (nearer my index finger is more acceptable).

So try to "loosen up" your grip in that area?

Boo

[pammie003]

I'm having a blister-related problem as well.

After a week of fencing approximately twice as long and often as I'm used to, I have developed 3 blisters on my right hand from folds and seams in my glove. I've discovered that Johnson and Johnson makes a blister cover that is super-sticky. I've had them on through 1 practice + 1 post-practice shower so far, and they're still going. I'm not sure if they're available in the States though.

I am, however, having a bit more difficulty with another blister. It's on my back foot, where the sole of my shoe meets the side. Nothing I try seems to be staying on through a practice, and I can't stop until it heals (some big tournaments coming up). Does anyone have any suggestions for this one?

[mackillian]

Have you tried Second Skin or NuSkin? I have some on my big toe right now and it works wonderfully.

[Coup de Grace]

It is possible that type of shoe used to fence may accelerate blister growth? Do you find those that have foot blisters wear fencing shoes or an alternate type of sport shoe?

I'm just curious. My apologies if this topic has been discussed on previous threads.

[mauve_guard]

Blisters are made by friction, right? Just wear a tight glove -- maybe one size smaller than normal? That's what I do and I never get blisters.

[pammie003]

It is possible that type of shoe used to fence may accelerate blister growth? Do you find those that have foot blisters wear fencing shoes or an alternate type of sport shoe?

I'm just curious. My apologies if this topic has been discussed on previous threads.

I fence in court shoes... but I've been wearing them for years, and I've never had a problem before. Maybe it's just time for a replacement pair. I have had these ones since September, and I fence 4-5 days a week.

[Army Fencer]

Taping is fine for other parts of the fingers but doesn't really work here as it just gets rucked up.

I end up taping it.

1. Take one long piece of tape. Wrap it around your blister, over the side of your hand, and over the knuckle of your pinkie.
2. Rip another long piece of tape down the middle so it's half the normal width. Put this over the web between your pinkie and your ring finger. Make sure it's over both sides of the first piece of tape.

That seems to work pretty well for me.