Blisters

Blisters occur when tender skin is rubbed back and forth against the inside of the shoe. Most blisters caused by pointe work pop open and sometimes bleed before the dancer experiences much pain. But once the raw skin is exposed, the pain of dancing with an open blister is extreme. It is better to stop dancing and tend to the blister than risk worsening or infecting the area.

If any of the dead skin remains on the open blister, cut it off with sterile scissors. Cover the blister with merthiolate or rubbing alcohol. Both of these sting like crazy for a few seconds, but they are most effective at drying up and hardening the exposed skin.

Expose the healing blister to fresh air whenever possible.

If you must dance in pointe shoes again before the blister has healed, cut a piece of moleskin larger than the blister. Cut a hole in the middle -- a little larger than the size of the blister. Place the outside ring on the toe around the blister and secure with adhesive tape. If needed, use two layers of moleskin.

A product called Second Skin, which is a layer of gel between two very thin layers of cellophane-like film, can be placed right on the open blister. Then use the moleskin donut and tape to secure it in place.

If one toe consistently gets blisters, it is advisable to wrap the healed toe in adhesive tape before each wearing. This should prevent a new blister from forming.