IF A BLISTER FORMS
Small / intact blisters:
Do not pop if possible
Clean gently
Cover with hydrocolloid dressing or a moleskin “donut”
Large / painful blisters:
Clean the area
Drain only if necessary using sterile technique
Leave the skin roof intact
Cover and offload pressure
AFTER CARE
Keep clean and dry
Monitor for infection:
redness
warmth
swelling
pus
worsening pain
BOTTOM LINE
Hot spots are the warning. Blisters are the injury. Early prevention is everything.
For anyone who gets blisters, there are also bandages specifically designed for blister care (usually packaged as blister bandages, but also more specifically called hydrocolloid bandages). They look something like this
They help protect against chafing, absorbing excess moisture and helping promote clean healing. Just put then in place and leave them until they come off on their own. They're far better than ordinary bandages about not binding to scabs, that said they do still bond a bit which is why you should just leave them be. If they come off prematurely, you can just apply a new one to the area.
They're also fantastic for severe rope and rug burns for the same reasons. You can get them in roll form as well.