Doctors have reported cases of “toxic shock syndrome” (TSS) in children after playing football or soccer in new boots. In both cases, friction blisters over the Achilles tendon (above the heel) were to blame. The blisters contained the bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus.
TSS is a serious but uncommon bacterial infection that was originally linked to the use of tampons, but is also known to be associated with other birth control methods including the contraceptive sponge and the diaphragm. TSS can sometimes result from skin wounds where bacteria can enter the body and cause infection.
In at least two cases, children were hospitalised after blisters, due to symptoms including fever, rash, low blood pressure (hypotension), vomiting and diarrhoea.
TSS from such minor skin trauma is rare, but it does happen. The doctors urged parents to consider TSS if a child has a rash, fever and low blood pressure, and to get them to a hospital for appropriate tests. Sometimes the offending skin wound may be hard to spot.
Avoiding blisters
To avoid blisters, always try and get quality shoes or boots that fit properly and avoid shoes that are too snug or too loose. Allow sufficient space for your child's longest toe so that they can wiggle their toes inside, and make sure that their heels don’t slip when they walk or run. Watch out for seams or worn areas in shoes that might cause friction.
Choice of socks is also important. Ideally, the socks should wick away moisture rather than get wet. Watch for holes and worn areas. Some people wear two pairs of socks to help prevent blisters. Others recommend dusting the inside of socks with talcum powder in order to help keep feet dry. Moisture is the enemy as hot and wet feet are likely to rub against the shoes.
Reference:
Taylor CM, Riordan FA, Graham C (2006) New football boots and toxic shock syndrome. British Medical Journal 332: 1376-1378.
Related reading:
Mouthguards Insure Against Injury
Choose the Right Shoes
Sport in Sight
