I want to share a tip on taping a blister in a toe joint. It can be used on any toe joints and even on finger joints. Blisters in the crease of the toe joints are quite common.
Occasionally, an athlete develops a hot spot or blister at the base of a toe—right in the joint or crease where it flexes and bends. It can be hard to patch this kind of bister. Start by cleaning the whole area to be taped with an alcohol wipe, draining the blister, and applying a small dab of antibiotic ointment to the top of the blister, typically called the roof of the blister. This prevents the tape from sticking to the skin over the blister and possibly tearing the layer of skin off when removing the tape.
For this method, I prefer to use a strip of kinesiology tape, but a strip of Cover Roll Stretch tape also works. A two-inch strip works great. Picture 1 shows similar cuts of the two tapes. Notice how the tape is larger on one end and then is curved inward at the other end. Round all edges of the tape.
For ease of illustration, I am using my wife’s hand and taping the second finger joint. Please bear with me and pretend it’s a toe.
Apply the larger end of the tape over one side of the toe so it captures the inside of the joint, and curve it around to the opposite side of the toe and ends on top of the foot. Picture 2, shows the bottom of the foot where the tape has covered the joint area. Picture 3 shows both ends of the tape on the top of the pretend foot. Apply the tape with a light stretch.
The nice thing about both tapes is their ability to stretch and conform to the shape of the area being taped. The stretch also allows the toe to bend and move through the motion of the foot strike. If using kinesiology tape, make sure to rub the tape for 15 to 20 seconds to warm the tape’s adhesive for better sticking power.
Pictures 4 and 5 show the same tape patch with Cover Roll Stretch tape. It doesn’t conform as well as kinesiology tape, but it’s very soft and sticks well.
Remember, anytime you tape toes or other foot parts, be careful putting your socks back on, and later on when removing the socks. Bunch the socks up and ease them over the toes and then down and over the heel. The last thing you want to do is to pull the tape loose and ruin your patch job.
