Blistered Knuckle Care. Part 1

Windex and drank me some Tussin

Think you're in the wrong sport because a little blister is holding you back? The constant pounding can cause a series of pain, besides the thumb you jammed while mimicking Chuck Lidell's punch. Keep in mind you are causing trauma to your hands. This can eventually lead to other injuries such as boxers fracture, inflammation, or tears to ligaments and cartilage. Compared to fractures and tears, blisters seem like a blessing but, the sharp sting of pain can ruin your punching form, which can possibly create bad habits.

Just like a baseball pitch

After a week of training in Thailand, I started to develop blisters in my knuckles. Back in the states I only got them once while drilling the cross preparing to fight against a southpaw. Shit, I wanted to lead with my cross, finish with my cross and make every cross a KO! Most of the foreigners here in camp end up with blistered knuckles as well. I guess it's safe to say that the hard training, plus the humidity and weather of Thailand, makes it easier to get blisters.

Cyanoacrylate

Or popularly known as Super Glue, is what most of my teammates use as a 2nd skin to close up their blisters. Which reminded me of the time I took my cat in to get spayed. The vet handed her back to me with goo all over the incision on her belly. When I asked him about the goo, he responded "Super Glue" then proceeded to assure me it's medicinal glue that is common veterinary practice.

The use of Super Glue for wounds began during the Vietnam War. While it was used during field surgery with good results, it was not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Super Glue failed FDA approval because of unknown toxicity and irritants.

If you're using super glue on your blistered knuckles you might want to think twice before  using your hand wraps. There's an exothermic reaction when cyanoacrylate comes in contact with cotton (1). Unless you want to make your friends jealous and turn into the Human Torch. 

Stop. Drop. Roll!

In true big pharma style of turning our home remedies into profit, 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate was created.  It was approved in 1998 by the FDA for superficial skin laceration. In 2002 it was FDA approved as "barrier against common bacterial microbes." (2). This new and improved medicinal Super Glue reduces skin irritation, offers antibacterial properties and has a flexible (but weaker) bond compared to old fashion Super Glue. Of course it's available through prescription only.

So should we use plain old Super Glue for our blisters? 
From my experience the super glue bonds pretty good when I'm not training. Once I start punching, then sweating, the crusted pseudo skin comes right out leaving me back to square one. Despite it's good use in Vietnam field surgery, I would advise against the use of Super Glue but, if you're hard headed and decide to use it anyway, make sure there's no blood on the blister and clean your blister daily with soap and water.

Insert funny punch line here

You can use other methods of closing the blister up while training, such as a band-aid, mole skin or other type of sterile cloth. Once you have the band-aid in place, next cover it with athletic tape and then wrap your hands properly to ensure a tight fit. Now that your blister is protected from further tearing you can go HAM (3) with your punches.

Part 2

References

1- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate#Reaction_with_cotton

2- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/874047-overview

3- http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=H.A.M