Look after your feet and your feet will look after you. (Compeed Blister Plasters)

Member Name: koshkha

Product:	Compeed Blister Plasters
Date:	18/09/06 (9235 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Highly effective little foot-savers.

Disadvantages: A touch on the dear side

Compeed Blister Plasters are so clever that I wish I had invented them myself. They have pushed the paper clip into number 2 on my greatest inventions list. Known and loved by walkers everywhere, these little miracle workers can be the difference between a happy day's walking or hell on the hills.

My next door neighbour Alison ran the London Marathon this year in 3 hours 20 mins. Her blister kicked in at 6 miles and she spent the next 20 wishing she'd taken along the pack of Compeed that I gave her the day before.

However, you don't have to be athletic to need Compeed. A new pair of shoes, too much sightseeing, badly fitting socks - all can give you a nasty blister.

There's probably not a single handbag or rucksack in my house that doesn't have a pack of these tucked away inside somewhere. There are alternatives and substitutes but I've tried them all and can guarantee you that nothing beats Compeed.

They cost around £4-5 for a pack of 5 plasters but if you have a blister, they really are worth every penny.

Who makes them?
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Compeed Blister Plasters were originally created by a Scandinavian medical supplies company called Coloplast who excel in hi-tech medical stuff and really know what they are doing. They sold the rights for Compeed to Johnson and Johnson a few years ago.

Where can I get them?
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They are widely available in places like Boots and Superdrug. They are usually on my 'last minute' shopping list at the airport when heading off on holiday but if you watch out for Boots doing their frequent ‘3 for 2’ offers on foot care, you may be able to pick up a bargain.

What are they?
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Compeed Blister Plasters are highly adhesive thick gel patches that you put onto blisters to protect them from rubbing. The patch stays on for days and works like a second skin to keep out dirt, water and bacteria whilst allowing the skin to heal underneath. It even stays on during showering and bathing and will withstand sea water, chlorine etc. Just as a pair of cycling shorts will protect your sensitive areas with a layer of padding, Compeed does the same for your ankles or other blistered areas.

They contain:

* Artificial Elastomer (that's the squishy stuff)
* Tackifier Resins
* Hydrocolloid particles
* Plasticiser
* Polyurethane film

Contraindications
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If you have diabetes you should check with your GP before using these. I don’t think it's due to any danger - but diabetics have poor circulation in their feet and I'm guessing it's best to check out any product you plan to use.

How do you use them?
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Warm the plaster in your hands for a minute or two - I generally get impatient and give them a good rub. This warming helps to increase the tackiness of the adhesive and means they will stay on for longer. Peel off the white paper on the sticky side and press onto the skin. Then peel off the paper on the outside and put your hand over the plaster to push it firmly into place. Then leave on until they either fall off or get so scruffy looking that you can't live with them any more at which point you can ease them off and, if necessary apply another. Generally by the time they fall off, your blister has healed itself.

If you aren't as obsessed as me and don't have one in your pocket, you may find the blister has become fluid-filled by the time you get the Compeed. If this is the case - and if it's really squishy - sterilise a needle with surgical spirit or in a flame and gently pierce the blister before you put the Compeed on. Make sure the area around the blister is clean and free from creams etc. This will help the plaster stick better but in an emergency, just stick it on.

When should you use them?
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Obviously, as soon as you get a blister, stick one on.
Put a pack in your bag or pocket if you are going hiking - or if you plan a heavy day of sightseeing
If I have a new pair of shoes and am worried that they will rub, I will use them prophylactically to ward off trouble before it can start.

How cool are these?
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Most people haven't seen Compeed plasters - when you whip out a packet they will be mega-impressed. If they have the blister and you are being a good-Samaritan, they will love you eternally and may leave you their house and all their belongings when they die.
Diving in Tobago last year I got a bad fin-rub on the top of my foot and stuck on a compeed. I succeeded in convincing the boat boys that the Compeed was actually where I'd had reconstructive plastic surgery after a shark bite!
I've also whipped them out at trade shows and saved the lives of friends who had made bad footwear choices that day and were about to keel over from the pain.

Other Compeed Products?
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They have recently created a special Compeed Blister Plaster for blisters on toes - these are smaller and designed specifically for toes. I have a few boxes but I haven’t actually tried them yet.

Compeed also do fabulous foot creams - including one for cracked heels which is highly effective.

Go on, do your feet a favour. They’ll thank you for it.

Summary: I never leave home without them