Should I pop my blister before a hike?

Several weeks ago (on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May, I believe) I did the practise weekend for an expedition with school - the practise weekend was a two day hike, covering about 25km-30km total over the weekend. I am not in great shape, had a heavy load and quite soft feet and thus got enormous blisters on the balls of my feet and all along the back of my heels. They were swollen and each about the size of my middle finger. I struggled to walk at all for a few days, then the pain wore off. The blisters on the balls of my feet popped and peeled off. However, one of the blisters on my heels has not yet popped. It is filled with a white liquid, but is not painful in everyday use. It is still roughly the same size.
This weekend (13th-14th June) I will do my qualifying expedition, walking in the same shoes as before and walking a slightly longer distance. I plan to wear Compeeds (blister plasters) over all sensitive spots, including the blisters, but I don't know whether I should pop this blister now (about two days before the walk) or leave it intact for the protection it provides. I am concerned that the walk may only make the blister worse as it is still swollen and so will likely rub against my shoes. Alternatively, it may rupture on the walk and become infected - I have been warned to expect river crossings and muddy conditions - plus, forecast is for rain. If I pop them, however, I know that I risk infection anyway and it will become an open wound. I left it this long in the hopes that it would heal naturally - but is it too late to pop it, and if not, is popping it the advisable course of action in my situation? Thanks.

posted over 9 years ago

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Anna Hughes‭

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