ADVICE: Basketball Foot Care?

[Reggie's Ghost]

Can't think of a better place to probe for advice.  WARNING: Perhaps a TMI situation for some..

Here's the deal:

I've been playing ball all my life, and I've always been plagued with foot issues.  When I play, my feet sweat and soften the skin on the bottom of my feet, and it leads to blisters and callouses tearing, bleeding, the whole 9.  I have been trying to address this issue since HS with very limited success:

I've tried wearing multiple pairs of socks, which helps a very little bit.
I've tried keeping my feet uncovered after games (not possible in the winter), which helps a tiny little bit.
I've tried baby powder in socks and/or shoes, which doesn't do squat.
I've tried aftercare options such as pumice stones, but it's cleanup, not a solution.

Anyone else have this or other foot issues when they play?  Anyone have any advice?  I'm game for anything, I'll never consider avoiding playing but I can't have my feet torn up like this all the time...

HELP, MY DOGS ARE BARKIN'

[GroverTheClover]

I run so I had this problem a while back. I ended up switching to synthetic socks and a better ventilated shoe. I have no problems other than the occasional blister now. I noticed that when I wore cotton socks, they'd get wet from all the sweat. The synthetics do a better (not perfect) job of wicking the sweat away and reducing the rubbing.

An alternative is to get Body Glide or Monkey Butt (it has a picture of a cartoon monkey) from your local sporting goods store. It looks like a stick of deodorant that you apply to your feet/legs/whatever so you don't chafe or rub.

Edit: Monkey Butt is a powder and I see that you used baby powder so you might try Body Glide instead.

[Reggie's Ghost]

I run so I had this problem a while back. I ended up switching to synthetic socks and a better ventilated shoe. I have no problems other than the occasional blister now. I noticed that when I wore cotton socks, they'd get wet from all the sweat. The synthetics do a better (not perfect) job of wicking the sweat away and reducing the rubbing.

An alternative is to get Body Glide or Monkey Butt (it has a picture of a cartoon monkey) from your local sporting goods store. It looks like a stick of deodorant that you apply to your feet/legs/whatever so you don't chafe or rub.

Edit: Monkey Butt is a powder and I see that you used baby powder so you might try Body Glide instead.

Grover, thank you so much for your help.  2 TP's, for each of your amazing ideas, I will try both of those and i appreciate your taking the time. 

Anyone else?  I'm in a TPing mood 

[Redz]

Man, I wish I could market a product called Monkey Butt

[the_Bird]

Man, I wish I could market a product called Monkey Butt

Hey, it could be worse.  Could be two products called "Monkey Body" and "Butt Glide"! 

[Brickowski]

Back in the day we used toughskin, which you sprayed on. Nowadays they also have various gel products to protect from blisters.

[clover]

In the dance world they'd call you a 'tender foot'.  Along with advising you to go barefoot more often, they'd suggest that you get a box/tub/bucket of sand and spend a few minutes in the evening, while you're watching your C's on TV, rubbing your bare feet in the sand.

[dark_lord]

i know im sick for asking, but.....

can we see pics? 

[Bankshot]

Foot Blisters Report #12581
        If you run, hike, bike, jog, work, walk, or shoot hoops then you need to worry about blisters. Blisters are as much a part of the aforementioned activities as sweat is…that’s because blisters are formed in great part because of sweat. “Blisters form when the skin rubs against another surface, causing friction. First, a tear occurs within the upper layers of the skin (epidermis), forming a space between the layers while leaving the surface intact. Then fluid seeps into the space.” (Michael L. Ramsey M.D.) The feet continuously fall victim to blisters because they sweat a minimum of a cup of moisture per day just in average persons. You can imagine then how much moisture collects on the feet when working or performing any outdoor activity. The moisture from sweat acts as a lubricant increasing friction with boots, shoes, skateboards, skis, skates etc. As this rubbing friction increases blisters form in great abundance. The feet confined to shoes only decreases ventilation and thereby increasing moisture that gathers on the feet. The increase in moisture causes an increase in friction resulting in blisters and irritation. Sandals, though giving more ventilation to the feet, are no exception. The top of the foot is given enough ventilation to prevent a collection of moisture, but what about the bottom of the feet and in between the toes? These areas still gather sweat, in some cases pools of it.

        The only preventive measure against blisters is to reduce friction. This means that by reducing sweat is the best way to avoid blisters altogether. Antiperspirant prevents sweat and this prevents the increased friction. Many people have a skin irritation to antiperspirants or at least begin getting there feet dried out. For years it has been a catch 22;either suffering from blisters by not wearing a protective antiperspirant or using one and having skin irritation anyway. The frustration is now over. The Little Ugly Bottle was specifically designed for you. The Little Ugly Bottle contains in its formulation a significant amount of antiperspirant to prevent sweat while at the same time containing aloes, vitamin E, and shea butter. These last three ingredients rejuvenate the skin and even soften it. It gets better. The Little Ugly Bottle is a lotion that you rub into your skin so that it lasts all day and immediately begins restoring health to your feet, irregardless of the how active you are. While preventing sweat, The Little Ugly Bottle also actively treats your feet to the extent that you will notice a new comfort and healthier feet within a week. No more blisters, no more skin irritation, and as a bonus…no more smelly feet or shoes. Give your feet a treat and get The Little Ugly Bottle today, after all look how much your feet do for you.

http://thelittleuglybottle.com/blisters.html

Hope this helps.

Google is a wonderful thing!

[Reggie's Ghost]

i know im sick for asking, but.....

can we see pics? 

Hey man, not sure you're serious but hell, you asked!



TP for everyone here who offered their thoughts,

--Tenderfoot

[dark_lord]

i know im sick for asking, but.....

can we see pics? 

Hey man, not sure you're serious but hell, you asked!



TP for everyone here who offered their thoughts,

--Tenderfoot

thats awesome, in a gross kind of way 

tp for your willingness to post the pic

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

I run so I had this problem a while back. I ended up switching to synthetic socks and a better ventilated shoe. I have no problems other than the occasional blister now. I noticed that when I wore cotton socks, they'd get wet from all the sweat. The synthetics do a better (not perfect) job of wicking the sweat away and reducing the rubbing.

An alternative is to get Body Glide or Monkey Butt (it has a picture of a cartoon monkey) from your local sporting goods store. It looks like a stick of deodorant that you apply to your feet/legs/whatever so you don't chafe or rub.

Edit: Monkey Butt is a powder and I see that you used baby powder so you might try Body Glide instead.

Grover, thank you so much for your help.  2 TP's, for each of your amazing ideas, I will try both of those and i appreciate your taking the time. 

Anyone else?  I'm in a TPing mood 

I"m not sure I suffered from this exact same thing but perhaps my story might be helpful.

-My feet looked exactly like your foot in the picture
-I kept playing on said feet in pain
-and kept playing
-and kept playing
-and kept playing
-eventually these painful blisters turned into painless calluses (which was fine with me, but they looked disgusting which wasn't cool with my woman)
-my girlfriend advised me to get a pedicure in an effort to shave down/manage the thick calluses that had formed
-i was very skeptical about said pedicure but was comfortable enough with my sexuality and my feet to give it a whirl
-so there I was, in a Vietnamese nail place in Florida (on vacation with my gf) about to get my calluses dealt with
-the woman was quick and efficient, and the experience was pain free
-my feet have felt amazing ever since and the calluses have remained practically unnoticeable
-I don't see myself re-visiting a place for another pedicure but if the calluses were to get big again I'd certainly do it again

So that's my story. Might not be helpful but I thought I'd share.

[Redz]

.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv_7fe1y5_8