Just got back from a pre-OCS weekend. 2 gunnery sergeants were in attendance and it was great to have them get in all of our faces and mess our stuff up. only problem I had this weekend was blisters. I got them BAD. My 2 layers of socks were bloody on each foot and I have 2 blood blisters on my second toe, both underneath the toenail. Apparently the Corpsman who was in charge of medical for this weekend told me to heat up a needle and it'll go right through?
Anyways, what type of socks do all of you recommend? Which for boots, which for my running shoes? Once I get that all squared away with that I'm good to go in June!
thorlo's = also excellent socks.
the needle is to bore a hole through your toenail to relieve the pressure. you heat it, then stick the end on your toenail above the blister, and swizzle it back and forth like you're making a tiiiiiiiiny fire. the heat will cause the hole, the blood will spew forth, and the pain will go away. when you smash your thumb with a hammer, this trick works wonders.
the absolute best way to treat blisters:
punture near the bottom edge, drain it. take a syringe and fill it with desitin (or plain zinc oxide if you can find it), and inject it into the drainage hole until it completely fills the skin sac. this isn't pastry class-- do not overfill. apply moleskin to entire area, overlapping blister on all sides by about 1/4". to keep moleskin on, apply adhesive called tough skin to area around blister PRIOR to application of moleskin. then, leave moleskin on until it falls off, usually about three days. you may have to repeat this one more time, but that's doubtful.