So maybe my last post on blister prevention was too little too late? An article in the July/August 2009 issue of Fitness magazine (though it doesn’t appear to be available online) had the following advice (warning: not for the faint of heart, or fearful of needles!):

When you do get a blister, pop it to stop it from growing. “Heat a needle with a match, puncture the blister, and drain it. Then apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage,” Dr. [Robert] Brodell instructs. “Next time you run, wear a bandage so you don’t get a blister on top of the blister.”

But before you get needle happy (why is the prospect of popping a blister so tempting?), take a look at what the folks at Podiatry Today say about dealing with blisters once they happen.

Since it’s not always possible to prevent blisters, it is important to relieve pain, prevent enlargement or infection, and promote a speedy recovery when they do occur. Small, intact blisters that don’t cause discomfort usually don’t need treatment. The best protection against infection is a blister’s own skin or roof. To protect the roof, you can cover this type of blister with a small adhesive bandage or blister guard.
However, you should drain larger or painful blisters that are intact without removing the roof. Proceed to apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage. Remind runners to change their dressings daily.
If you’re dealing with blisters that have large tears, you should “unroof” them and cleanse the base thoroughly with soap and water or an antibacterial cleanser. Then cover it with an antibiotic ointment and bandage.

Hope no one read that before eating!