Back in 2018, we launched our BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Bandages. It was out of frustration, more than anything. Frustration because hydrocolloids are purpose-built for use on wounds: shallow ulcers, abrasions, minor burns and deroofed blisters. As such, they simply MUST be provided sterile! Hydrocolloids really need to be sterile to avoid infection on these open weepy wounds - and most aren’t! So BlisterPod's Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters were born. Sterile, individually-packaged blister plasters, in packaging that provides excellent advice on optimal use.
In 2021, our focus was to eliminate the worst problem that can happen when people use hydrocolloids bandages on foot blisters - hydrocolloid rollback. And to improve their longevity. We did this with the addition of precut fixation tapes for each bandage.
Now, in 2023, we've improved the product further AND tackled another aspect of hydrocolloid blister plasters that let's other brands down - their instructions-for-use (IFU). Some dubious advice on the packaging of hydrocolloids is frequently responsible for blisters getting worse rather than better. This simply isn't good enough! But it's easily avoided. So, when you purchase any BlisterPod Hydrocolloid 6-Pack, you receive the kind of advice and instruction that is going to set you up for success with your plaster. We have great concise IFU on the back of the packet. And we have an extended instructional insert in each pack that set you up for success, in 5 languages.
What Are Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages?
Hydrocolloid blister plasters are exudate-absorbent hydrophilic gel dressings. They have a rubbery texture and are slightly translucent. As your raw blister base weeps, the plaster absorbs this moisture and forms a gel, turning a white colour. We call this the white gel bubble (image below) and it shows that your blister is healing. It's important you're able to see this evidence of hydrocolloid healing. And with the unique addition to the BlisterPod brand of hydrocolloid bandages, you'll be able to visualise this perfectly!
Fluids from your deroofed blister combine with the hydrocolloid material to form a white gel bubble.
Don't Let It Dry Out and Scab
By the way, contrary to popular belief, this moist environment is the perfect environment for rapid skin healing - strong resilient skin will form instead of a dry, irritating, brittle scab. They ensure your skin heals and returns to full strength faster so you can return to full pain-free activity sooner. Scabs are not healed skin. They are simply a dry lump of wound goo that hides a raw sore underneath. Scabs are easily dislodged and they delay skin healing. Your blister can take twice as long to heal if it scabs over, so don’t leave it “open to the air” to dry out.
Treating Deroofed Blisters With Hydrocolloid Bandages
Hydrocolloid blister dressings work their magic on raw weepy wounds, like deroofed blisters.
- Do not use them on intact blisters or torn blisters. Not only is this a waste of a plaster, you can actually make your blister worse, because when you remove the plaster, it will be stuck to your blister roof and rip it off!
- Do not expect hydrocolloid blister plasters to prevent blisters either. In spite of what other hydrocolloid brands recommend, too often this does not work. It’s a waste of a plaster and a misuse of the hydrocolloid material technology.
Only use hydrocolloid bandages on the last type of blister - deroofed blisters.
How To Use Hydrocolloid Bandages
You know when to change your hydrocolloid blister plaster when the white gel reaches an edge of the plaster. At this point, the healing fluid leaks out and infection-causing germs can get in, which you don’t want. Depending on how weepy your blister is, this could take a day or it could take a week. It’s absolutely fine to leave the same plaster on for a whole week. In fact, several days is advisable – as long as it’s not too weepy and the edges haven’t loosened. With the new precut fixation tapes, You'll still be able to see the white gel bubble approaching the edge of the plaster.
Learn more about using a hydrocolloid dressing properly on your feet to avoid the 3 most common mistakes.
Benefits of BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages
Our aim is to help people get the most out of the power of hydrocolloid bandages. Brands such as Compeed have a checkered reputation. They come in great shapes and sizes which make them convenient and easy to apply. However, they're not sterile or individually-packaged (they really should be!). And they need more helpful instruction and education on their packaging. This would help their customers know when to use their product (and when not to use it), and how to use it for best results.
So that's what we've done. Our BlisterPod brand of hydrocolloids are sterile and individually-packaged. That's REALLY important when you're dealing with deroofed blisters. We've made sure we provide excellent instructions on how and when to use our plasters (in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Simplified Chinese) because we want to set you up for success, not failure.
And BlisterPod is the ONLY brand that provides cut-to-size fixation tape within their product. This increases the plaster's longevity. And it eliminates the worst problem that can happen, hydrocolloid roll-back. Rollback often happens during vigorous or extended periods of exercise. It’s when an edge of the plaster loosens ever-so slightly and rolls back. The adhesive of the plaster catches your sock and melds with it. The hydrocolloid becomes one with the socks and it's so difficult to separate the two. I'll let you watch the video below to see what can happen as a result (it's not good!).
Any hydrocolloid blister bandage can catch on footwear and stick to socks, even after applying it as best you can. So it's advisable to secure the edges of hydrocolloid plasters with a thin water-resitant tape like Fixomull Stretch. This will ensure a long-lasting seal even in the most extreme endurance athletic situations and challenging environmental conditions.
Roll-back is very easily avoided. If you went to a podiatrist or wound care specialist and had a hydrocolloid blister bandage applied, we would never ever just leave it at that. We’d always put fixation tape around all the edges. Actually, we put fixation tape around the edges of everything. Watch the video below to learn more about this product update.
A Challenging Environment
Remember, the in-shoe environment is a very challenging environment - and as a podiatrist, we're dealing with this challenge every day. Your feet sweat a lot and move around and this is a constant threat to adhesion. Then there’s bathing or showering – when we apply dressings, we need them to survive showering intact.
That’s why we’re obsessed with fixation tape. It solves so many problems. It’s very thin and flexible and it’s water-resistant, which means it will stay on even if it gets wet... from sweat, showering, rain, puddles, river-crossings, all of that.
And, the in-shoe environment is a rather germy environment. So infection prevention is always on our mind. The last thing we need is for dressings to loosen and let germs is. We need a reliable and secure waterproof seal around the edges of our dressings all the time, every time.
And so, that’s why at BlisterPod, we’re making it easy for you to prevent this common problem of roll-back with a unique addition to our own brand of hydrocolloid blister plasters. Here’s our material safety data sheet.
Hydrocolloid Must Be Sterile, Hypoallergenic & Latex free
BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages are sterile and individually packaged. Combined with being waterproof, they are exactly what you need to ensure your blister doesn’t get infected. It's not ideal to use unwrapped non-sterile plasters (like Compeed) on a raw weepy blister. They are not sterile and infection through the broken skin barrier is possible. BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters bring you the convenience of Compeed’s 3 plaster shapes, with the assurance of being free from infection-causing germs.
Maximum Durability
BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters are designed for athletes. They have:
- Bevelled edges
- Good adhesion
- A moderate amount of stretch
- 100% waterproof
- Precut fixation tapes included
- Provides cushioning and protection from further rubbing
Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages 6-Pack
Visit the Blister Prevention online store to purchase your BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters today.
BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages Reviews
I’m rapt to finally found a blister plaster that actually relieves the pain of having blisters on my toes and bonus they assist with healing. Now I have no excuses to do my daily 6km walk through the forest. Thank you. ~ Lynne N
I've found hydrocolloid blister plasters promote healing and the growth of skin in the case of a raw. unroofed blister. The plasters are much more effective than bandaging where the wound is not excessively weeping. The plasters last for days (there are specific indications that tell you when to remove a plaster) so it's a plus for hikers. ~ Stephen Keire
These plasters are essential for any walking holiday, just in case! ~ Jane L
Get Started With Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages
There’s NO reason why you can’t have the same assurance you’d get if you had a health professional apply your plaster. And I’m pleased to make this easier for you. Give your deroofed blisters the advanced treatment they deserve with hydrocolloids. Grab a 6-Pack of BlisterPod Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages.
