Why do I get blisters on the back of my heel from my shoes?
James Craig
Published Jan 12, 2026
Blisters are most often caused by excessive rubbing or friction on the foot when shoes don't fitproperly. New shoes that are too stiff can create blisters. When shoes are too big, they can slip at the heel and create more friction.
How do I stop my shoes from rubbing the back of my heel?
To stop the feeling of rubbing, you can use duct tape. Duct tape is considered a smooth and durable material that can be used before running or jogging to reduce friction. You can stick to your shoes' inside collar, your socks, or your foot.
How do you prevent blisters on the back of your heel?
To treat a blister, dermatologists recommend the following:
- Cover the blister. Loosely cover the blister with a bandage. ...
- Use padding. To protect blisters in pressure areas, such as the bottom of your feet, use padding. ...
- Avoid popping or draining a blister, as this could lead to infection. ...
- Keep the area clean and covered.
Why do I keep getting blisters on the back of my heels?
Blisters are almost always caused by friction on your feet, which usually occurs when your foot slips around inside your footwear. This is particularly common in the heel.
How do you fix shoes that give you blisters on your heel?
Home remedies for relief and healing
- Dab some honey on the affected area. According to a 2017 study , honey has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area. ...
- Gently rub some petroleum jelly on the affected area.
How do I stop my shoes from rubbing my Achilles?
To help, our podiatrists have put together a few of their top tips for stopping your shoes from rubbing against the back of your heel.
- During the shoe buying stage. ...
- Choose the right socks. ...
- Use good insoles ...
- Be mindful of shoe materials. ...
- Reduce the moisture in your shoes. ...
- Consider stretching your shoes. ...
- Check for rough edges.
Why are my shoes suddenly giving me blisters?
Blisters are basically caused by friction between your skin and your shoe or sock. Repeated friction left untreated leads to abrasions and blisters. First, ensure that you are wearing the right socks, they need to be moisture-wicking socks. You cannot run in cotton socks.
How do you treat blisters on the back of your ankle?
Here's how:
- Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.
- Swab the blister with iodine.
- Clean a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol.
- Use the needle to prick the blister in several spots near the edge. ...
- Apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to the blister and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.
Can heel blisters get infected?
If the skin covering the dome of your blister breaks, you're at risk of developing an infection. Infected blisters are often painful. They can also be dangerous if left untreated. A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that starts in your blister can spread to other areas.
Does Vaseline stop shoes rubbing?
Always break in your shoes before wearing them outside. Whenever you buy a new pair of shoes, you should always wear them around the house first. Wearing them with thick socks, sometimes two pairs, is a good way to break them in and stretch them out a bit. Use Vaseline on the rubbing hotspots.
Why does my Achilles hurt when I wear shoes?
When wearing high heels you put constant pressure on the Achilles tendon by shortening and tightening it. Repeated and extended wear of high heels shorten the tendon permanently. This leads to inflammation and pain when you wear flat shoes and forces the tight tendon to stretch.
What are 2 signs of Achilles tendonitis?
Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:
- Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning.
- Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity.
- Severe pain the day after exercising.
- Thickening of the tendon.
- Bone spur formation (insertional tendinitis)
Should I walk with Achilles tendonitis?
Even fast walking would likely be ok - but if too painful, try using an insert in the heel (available at most drug stores). This shortens the length of the Achilles tendon and relieves some of the stress.
Does walking make Achilles tendonitis worse?
Your Achilles tendonitis will heal more quickly if you rest during the early stages and do not walk long distances until it has fully recovered. Walking may also cause the pain to increase in your Achilles tendonitis; this is why it's more important to rest than to walk.
How do you break in the back of a shoe?
Here's what to do:
- Put thick socks on your feet.
- Blast one of the shoes all over with a hair dryer for around a minute, until it's warm and soft.
- Put the shoe on your foot.
- Repeat with the other shoe.
- Walk around your house at least until the shoes have cooled - the longer you can keep them on the better.
How do I stop my shoes rubbing?
7 Simple Ways to Prevent Your Shoes from Rubbing Your Heels
- #1 - Wear Socks That Are Taller Than Your Shoes.
- #2 - Wear Thick Socks That Cushion Your Heels.
- #3 - Use Kinesiology Tape, Heel Protecting Inserts, or Moleskin.
- #4 - Use Insoles for a Tighter Fit and Less Friction.
- #5 - Try an Anti-Blister Heel Balm.
How do you prevent blisters from jelly shoes?
Apply just a little bit of vaseline petroleum jelly all over your feet and rub it evenly. It's an easily available as well as a cheap lubricant. Make sure not to apply any on the sole of your feet when wearing sandals so that your feet don't keep slipping out.
What is a heel lock on shoes?
Among runners, the Heel Lock is also commonly called the Runner's Loop, Runner's Tie or — better yet — Lock Lacing! The technique is all the same regardless of what you've heard it called. It creates a super-tight finish and prevents heel slippage while using your running shoes.
How do I keep my feet from sliding forward in my running shoes?
When your heel isn't held firmly, your foot can slip forward and bump your toes against the front of your shoes. Your fix is the runner's loop: Lace your shoes normally, crisscrossing them until you reach the second eyelet below the top on each side.
What is a runner's knot?
What is a runner's knot? The runner's knot is a way of lacing your running shoes to create a tighter connection at the top of the foot, as well as to better anchor your heel.
How tight should I lace my running shoes?
The trick is to measure the space in between the top eyelets with your fingers. “When you tie the laces, the shoe should be snug—not too tight and not too loose—and you should have two fingers between the eyelets,” says Sach. Three fingers mean there's not enough volume and the fit is too tight.
How do you do heel lock lacing?
How to tie a heel lock
- Start with a crisscross lacing style from the bottom of the shoe to the top.
- Take the left lace and thread through the top-left eyelet to form a loop at the top of the shoe.
- Repeat with the right shoelace which should leave you with a left and right loop on the upper, outer eyelets.
How much heel slip is normal?
When your foot bends to take a step in a new shoe, your heels should slip slightly. 1/8” movement is normal but can feel like much more. Loose slipping in the heels will not cause blisters when broken in gradually, but wearing shoes that are too small and tight will cause friction and then blister.