Runners - help! - giant blister on foot!

[Notonthestairs]

I am training for my first half marathon. I've got 4 weeks to go and have just completed a 16km run. New trainers (my old ones were three years old and I could feel the pavement under my feet!). Anyway I had a small blister on the bottom of my foot which I covered with a blister plaster before I went out. I could feel it hurting but carried on (I'm a wally I know). Now I have a giant blister plaster sized blister on the side of my foot. It's agony but my main concern is that I need to keep running. What can I do to speed up the healing process?

I usually cut them open and let them dry out, cover with 2 layers of KT tape while running to protect.

Not saying thats the best solution or even wise/safe, but it's what I do

Have you got padded socks to help prevent them happening?

Pop it with a sterile needle and then clean it. Should be fine. Buy some 1000mile socks. You can get them on amazon if you can't get into town. They are fab. I've not had a blister at all since I started wearing them.

How about compeed blister plasters? They are amazing - they reduce pain instantly and the blister heals really quickly under the plaster. They are pricey, but they work.

Thanks for all the advice. It's swelled overnight to the the exact size and dimensions of the blister plaster. I have had to wrap it in gauze and put on sandals (the only shoes that could fit over it) to take the kids to school. It was pouring with rain!
When I get a little alone time later I will pop it and hope it dries out. (Lovely way to spend an evening!)
And I am going to investigate the padded/1000 mile socks.
Thanks again. Lesson learned - thick socks and compeed plasters.