The miracle bandage – the Tegaderm

My Achilles Heel. The blister was open, infected and my foot was swollen.

Sometimes applying a band-aid to a problem isn’t enough.  You have to apply the right band-aid. My recent Long Trail hike was nearly derailed by a large infected blister on my heel.  I tried several options to keep it covered and protected, from duct tape to moleskin to various brands of bandages meant for blisters.  These bandages were too independent and quickly divorced themselves from my wound to take joy rides around the inside of my sock leaving my blister exposed while I walked on what felt like chewed up bubble gum.

Then I spoke with a pharmacist in Waitsfield, Vermont.  He recommended the 3M Tegaderm pictured here.  I used this bandage, which not only completely covered the wound but kept it dry and stayed on all day despite the rigorous hiking required by the Long Trail.  I did add moleskin on top of the bandage to help keep pressure off the open blister, which also helped ease or prevent further pain and rubbing.

I will make this bandage a stock item in my First Aid kit for future hikes.