*All the advice on this page has been tested by dancers, and is not to be used in place of advice from your doctor.

Blisters

OUCH!! To treat a blister, apply some "New Skin Liquid Bandage." But be careful...if the blister is broken....OWWWWW! It hurts something awful!! So only use New Skin if the blister hasn't broken. After applying that, apply a Band-Aid, and if it hurts really bad, then dance without your shoes.
If it popped, rinse it with cool water once you get home, but in class, apply Neosporin and a Band-Aid.

Bunions

Eeesch I hate these!! To treat a bunion, you can purchase a Bunheads Bunion Buster, and Bunheads Spacers. These work wonders for me! Going on my toes can really hurt with a bunion, but these products are made of gel, and they feel GREAT. Always remember to ice it after class. If you still feel pain, see a doctor ASAP...bunions are so not fun!!

Twisted Ankles



Ouch...twisted ankles aren't fun at all! If you twist your ankle in dance class, I advise that you keep a roll of self-adhering wrap in your bag. If a twist occurs, simply pull it out, tape up your ankle, and go at it again. However, in the event that your ankle is swollen, very painful, or bruised, use an instant ice-pack to provide relief. Explain your situation to your teacher. Sit out if the pain persists after icing- you could have a sprain. If the pain persists well after dance, contact your doctor.



Bumps and Bruises


Well, you future Riverdancer you, it's almost inevitable that you will miss a click and hit your shin/ankle/foot sometime in your dancing career. So far, I don't know ANYONE who hasn't done this at least once. I'm embarassed to mention how many times I have! Lol lust kidding, I've done it about 5-6 times.
Use an ice pack to relieve the pain and swelling associated with these injuries.


Shin Splints


ARRRGH I hate these! You will recognize the pain by an intense shooting pain in the muscles in your legs. The magical remedy to cure this pain? ICE! You gotta love ice- it cures just about any pain. Practicing the RICE (rest, ICE, compression, elevation) method helps a great deal. If pain persists, contact your doctor.





GETTING INJURED AT THE FEIS:
You did an impressive, over-your-head click...but forget landing it. CRASH! You fall on your butt, and it hurts more than your embarassed feelings!
Obviously, if you are hurt, get up, bow, and get back in line. Resist the urge to cry if you are embarassed. Remind yourself that you have other dances. However, if you feel like crying from pain, speak to the stage hand. You might have truly injured yourself.
If you aren't injured, get up, find your place in the music, and finish dancing. No points will be deducted if you do that. At the recent 2002 Nationals in Boston, a girl who fell placed in the top 5. So don't worry!