Blisters are an inevitable part of rowing. The adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ rings true here. Not only are blisters excruciating and can make rowing difficult, but infected blisters can be a severe issue.
At a basic level, blisters are caused by the friction from your hands rubbing against the oar handle, so keeping your handle clean is essential. You should scrub the blade handle gently with hot soapy water, a very dilute bleach solution, or a rubbing alcohol solution. Always rinse the blade handle thoroughly after cleaning, as your blade could become slippery when you next go rowing.
Poor technique can also cause blisters – if you’re gripping too hard on the blade handle, you’re more likely to get blisters (among other injuries)! Try to keep your grip loose, hanging off the blade rather than gripping it and chat to your coach if you think this is a problem for you.
Taping your hands to prevent blisters effectively prevents existing blisters from getting worse and stopping new blisters from forming. Many different tapes can be used for this, including electrical tape, surgical tape, microporous tape, and zinc oxide tape (this is more commonly used as physio tape). All of these should be readily available at your local pharmacy, so try some of them out and find a method that works for you.
Antiperspirants can also help prevent blisters, as sweat can make your blisters worse (it softens the skin and increases the friction between the handle and your hands). This will not work for everyone and is nearly completely useless in the rain or a very splashy boat but, under the right conditions, can be very effective at preventing blisters.
When you inevitably end up getting a blister, your first priority is to keep it clean. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water, apply some anti-septic cream or wash, and dry your hands carefully. If your blister has burst, carefully cut away any dead skin or ragged edges using sterile scissors. Apply an anti-septic cream to your blisters to keep them moist and protect them.
If your blister has not burst, try not to burst it. A blister in its unburst state is a sterile environment, like a plaster over the wound. However, if you’re about to head out on the water and absolutely can’t leave the blister intact, you can drain it. Sterilise the needle (or whatever you plan to use to burst your blister) before you start. It’s best to drain a blister at a right angle to the motion that caused it. In most rowing, this is the side of the blister rather than the top. Gently poke a hole in the blister and allow all the fluid to drain out of it. Press carefully on the blister until it is entirely flat, then apply some anti-septic wash or cream.
Once your blister has started to heal and new skin forms, it is at risk of drying out and cracking, making your hands bleed again. To prevent this, moisturise your hands and blisters. The best time to do this is in the evening or just before bed; if you apply moisturiser before a session, it can make your hands slippery.
Medical superglue can be used on blisters or cuts once they’ve stopped bleeding to protect them when you’re next in the boat. Ensure that your hands are immaculate before you put any on, as it won’t come off for a while, and you don’t want to trap any germs under the surface.
Blisters are more likely to form after a long break from the water. Hence, as schools and clubs return to rowing after this lockdown, remember to take extra care of your hands and visit a doctor immediately if you’re worried about your blisters or think that they might be infected.
That’s all for now. If you’re hungry for more, check out any of our other pieces from The Catch, listen to the latest podcast episode, or flick through our race previews.
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Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice. You should consult your doctor for personalised medical advice
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