How to Apply Moleskin

Moleskin is a tough adhesive material with a soft outer surface. It is primarily used to prevent blisters on feet while hiking. Blisters form when your foot moves inside your boot. They often form when your socks do not fit snugly or there is moisture present in your hiking boots. Moleskin can be applied to hot spots where you think a blister is forming or over existing blisters to keep them from getting worse.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Gauze (for open blisters only)
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Instructions

  1. Blister Prevention

    • 1

      Identify hot spots. While hiking, you can often identify hot spots on your feet before blisters actually form. Hotspots can result from moisture, poor-fitting socks or boots or wrinkles in your socks.

    • 2

      Remove the boot and sock and dry the affected area.

    • 3

      Use scissors to cut the moleskin to a shape slightly larger than the affected area.

    • 4

      Remove the backing from the moleskin and apply it to the hotspot, smoothing it from the center outward. Make sure it is smooth with no wrinkles.

    • 5

      Remove the moleskin at the end of the day to let the area heal during the night. Re-apply the moleskin the next day if necessary.

    Existing Blisters

    • 6

      Remove your boot and sock and dry the area around the blister.

    • 7

      Lance the blister if it is on the surface and contains fluid. Use a sterile needle to pierce the blister near the base of the blister and gently squeeze out the fluid.

    • 8

      Use scissors to cut the moleskin to a shape slightly larger than the affected area.

    • 9

      Remove the backing from the moleskin and apply it to the blister if the skin over the blister is intact. If the blister is open and the skin below has not hardened, put a small piece of gauze over the blister before applying the moleskin. Smooth the moleskin from the center outward. Make sure it is smooth with no wrinkles.

    • 10

      Remove the moleskin at the end of the day to let the area heal during the night. Re-apply moleskin the next day if necessary.