Painful Blister on index finger, day before gig. Help?

[captain_cod]

Or, am I stuffed?

[Craig Phillips]

Use a pick, I stopped using one years ago... but have injured myself several times... or have split finger tip...etc. Learned to use a pick as back up. Also works on those long gigs when the guitarist won't stop soloing... Throw a bag of them in your bass case.

[captain_cod]

I do normally use a pick, but we're playing some songs with slap in, and popping hurts like hell. (The strings, I mean. I've already popped the blister twice.) Even when I use a pick, it's right on the spot where I'd normally grip it. Gaah.

[fretlessman71]

1) Ice.

2) Nose grease. Every time you're between songs, rub your nose with the blister and the strings will glide over it a little bit easier.

3) Advil. Take 3 about 2 hours before the show - it'll help.

4) Pop it. This is a last resort (or for if it breaks all on its own). If it pops, drain all the fluid out of it, take a tube of Neosporin or whatever available antibiotic ointment you can find, and FILL the blister with it (not so much that it squirts out all the time), and slap a big band-aid on it.

You can also get these things that look like "finger condoms" at many office supply stores - they're used for people who turn lots of pages or don't want to get ink on their fingers. Might help keep the band-aid on, but they're stickier than flesh so might be hard to play with one.


And oh yeah - there's no getting around the fact that It's Going To Hurt No Matter What You Do. You're going to have to grit your teeth and get through it.

[Jactap]

I'm not too sure if this will help, when my drummer gets blisters he covers them with duct tape.

When I feel that my index finger is about to blister I use a pick or my middle and ring fingers and sometimes both.

[captain_cod]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

1)
As a total last-ditch effort - could you get away with using a pick for the gig?

Heheh, I normally do man. I know, I know, forshame.

It's the slapping that worries me. See, we do higher ground, and inbetween that there's a lot of noodling, no time to grab the pick.

[Caca de Kick]

Well then now would be a good time to learn to pop with your middle finger (Flea style!).
I did that a few times (got a blister popped on index) way back when, so learned to get comfortable using either finger.

[Bassorama57]

Long time ago when I first started on upright bass, my teacher had me use this stuff. Yes, I've globbed it over an open, popped blister (!ouch!) but if you gotta get through a gig..you might try it.

http://www.newskinproducts.com/

[greenboy]

Super glue/super glue gel. Apply in several layers and go wide past the hurtin' area.

[OneToBeOne]

Have a few beers.

[derelicte]

Originally Posted by Bassorama57

Long time ago when I first started on upright bass, my teacher had me use this stuff. Yes, I've globbed it over an open, popped blister (!ouch!) but if you gotta get through a gig..you might try it.

http://www.newskinproducts.com/

+1

Last ditch effort,
pop it and cover with Super Glue.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by derelicte

Last ditch effort,
pop it and cover with Super Glue.

That's what I usually do. Pop it, clean it and bandage for a little while, then cover it with superglue. Newskin or some good surgical/veterinary glue if you can find it is a little better but pretty much the same thing.

[Craig Phillips]

Change up the bass line for the song... don't slap it... no pun intended... Play finger funk instead... Just an idea.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by greenboy

Super glue/super glue gel. Apply in several layers and go wide past the hurtin' area.

+1. Superglue that sucker. I used to have to do that in college when I was playing a lot of double bass. It works exceptionally well.

[fretlessman71]

All the New Skin and Superglue ideas are totally valid IMHO. Just expect it to sting like a MoFo when you apply it.

[captain_cod]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

All the New Skin and Superglue ideas are totally valid IMHO. Just expect it to sting like a MoFo when you apply it.

As long as it gets me through the gig, pride intact, I'll do it.

[rEaLity|cheCk]

tape works well for me

[Jake of Bass]

I've popped a blister on my middle finger halfway through a 4 hour covers gig.

NOT F***ING FUN!!!

I got about three bandaids and taped over the blister in a way that the wouldn't catch on the strings, and put two over my index finger which had one formed and ready to go.

Got through the gig fine, didn't hurt very much either, unlike when I popped and tried to play it, really hurt.

[DistantTremor]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

+1. Superglue that sucker. I used to have to do that in college when I was playing a lot of double bass. It works exceptionally well.

I've heard super glue can cause infection. I've also heard that it hurts profusely when applied.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by DistantTremor

I've heard super glue can cause infection. I've also heard that it hurts profusely when applied.

Bacteria cause infection. I don't think there are many living in cyanoacrylate. And if it hurts when you put the glue on then imagine what it feels like playing without it.