My teen has walked her foot into a state - hideous pic

[Makinganewthinghappen]

My 16 year old has been doing her duke of Edinburgh and has come home like this on one foot.

We bandaged it round last night but it’s weeping today!

I am in two minds whether it needs actual medical attention at this point but I am terrible at deciding these things!

What do people think - leave it or ask gp?

@Makinganewthinghappen

She has proper leather walking boots and she had thick socks but looking at the boots it seems like the arch on one foot has rubbed quite badly - she does have fairly flat feet I think perhaps the arch of the boot is too high?

Try silk liner socks and thinner walking socks on top. Liner socks are like magic.

I used to do this all the time. It can hurt but all I did was keep it clean and cover it to stop it sticking on my socks.

I’m not suggesting she walks on it, however for DofE they do have to pass the practice walk as well as the actual walk. I would talk to the Explorer leaders and ask if she can complete that part when she is healed.

I hope I’ve done the right thing letting her go in the car!

Sounds like a good solution. Her foot looks sore but not infected, it's only a practice so joining them for supper will help to motivate her for the main walk. DS also has an ASC and went on DofE expeditions, DofE leaders are the best! I'm sure the leaders will keep her safe and busy.

My son had similar burst blisters/ skin off feet after hill racing.

Don’t put compeed or other blister plasters on this - they will pull off any remaining skin when removed and won’t let air in to heel.

Soak in tcp in water a few times a day and dress in a gauze dressing.

I got this advice from the ambulance first aiders who attended the race and it worked.

I’m not suggesting she walks on it, however for DofE they do have to pass the practice walk as well as the actual walk.

I'm not sure of the exact rules but if she's walked the first day or two and is joining the other activities today she may well pass the practice anyway.

A non-stick dressing like Melolin is good for this. Cut to size and fix on with micropore tape.

Walking on concrete definitely worse than waking off road!

I had a similar looking foot after walking 13 miles on a hospice midnight walk, I put a blister plaster on it and it healed really fast but it was painful for a few days, I feel for your DD, she must be so sore.

@AmaryllisNightAndDay

I’m not suggesting she walks on it, however for DofE they do have to pass the practice walk as well as the actual walk.

I'm not sure of the exact rules but if she's walked the first day or two and is joining the other activities today she may well pass the practice anyway.

You could well be right, I just wanted to draw OP’s attention to the fact that it might be a practice but they still have to pass it. I think the word “practice” is making PPs who’ve not been through the process think that it is unimportant.

As I said already, speak to the leaders

A really good pair of trainers would be far better for a dry ish road walk than leather walking boots.

I did this on the soles of both feet when doing lots of walking on holiday, putting on a pair of trainers stopped the rubbing and felt like bliss! I'd second using blister socks and possibly different boots for the actual walk, it may be worth carrying spare socks that are a different thickness too in case of any issues.

It’s not just the blisters that would worry me it’s those circular cuts! What the heck is in her shoes and where did you get them op?

I do a lot of walking. I’m glad sense has been seen and no more walking is to be done on that. For future she needs some new footwear. Get her over to any decent outdoor shop - a proper one, not the glorified clothes shops so many are now. Blacks are usually good but look for local recommendations for people who know their stuff. There are loads of different boots styles available now and it is not as simple as “stiff leather boots”. Judge for yourself if they can talk about the different soles best for different surfaces.

You do need ankle support so I wouldn’t recommend trainers, but do mention your worries about insteps too.

You can have proper broken in walking boots, double skin socks, silk socks, thick socks and smart socks but still get blisters. Believe me.

I very very rarely see stiff leather now. There’s lots of different technological materials available, take advantage.

I'd leave it to get some air until she absolutely must wear shoes.

There must be plenty advice online onmedical sites on what to do....

my understanding (having had small blisters) is NOT to cover but let them dry out.

If you cover them they skin stays wet and that's when an infection can set in. You need to allow the air to get to them. A very very loose, thin bandage just to keep it clean is okay but nothing like a sticking plaster, please.

@PickUpAPepper

I very very rarely see stiff leather now. There’s lots of different technological materials available, take advantage.

I absolutely agree. I bought some new leather Scarpa boots in April and wore them for shorter walks (up to 10 miles) straight away, then a 15 mile walk more recently, with no problem at all. They were to replace 20 year old fabric boots, but I think are actually lighter, and definitely not stiff, but stiff enough.

Ex dancer here, my feet regularly looked like that after long rehearsals. I wouldn't put any kind of plaster on it (once she's home) it needs to dry out. Once it's not so painful we used to use surgical spirit on our feet, stops cracks getting infected and toughens up the skin so you don't blister as easily.

Ok so apparently her boots are not leather so maybe we need to buy better ones?

These are the ones we got her

Hi-Tec Eurotrek Lite Wp Womens High Rise Hiking Boots www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076VNHQNB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CGJCE9AEKQF7AS964E5Y?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

She has had the quite a while now but never gone on such a long walk I don’t think

They look fine. Comfy insoles (I like the scholl sports ones) are essential.

Do her boots fit correctly?

Did you buy them online or in person, OP? She’ll need to go to an outdoors shop and try on some different kinds. They don’t have to be super expensive - Salomon, which are sort of mid range, suit me - but you’ve got to get the right boot for the wearer. And good socks! Bridgedale are excellent

They are leather - leather uppers, the inner material is textile which would be what your DD has closest to her sock/foot.
They are leather boots though.

Put a comped plaster on it. It's very important that once it's on that you don't take it off as that will rip any new skin off. It needs to be left on until it falls off itself.