The arrival of hot and humid weather means that blisters are back in full force for runners, walkers and other exercisers who battle sweaty feet.

But there are ways that your feet and your shoes can get along, even if it's the first day that you're wearing new footwear, said Dr. Marlene Reid, a podiatric physician and surgeon at the Family Podiatry Center of Naperville, Ill.

"Prevention is the key when it comes to blisters," she said.

Skip the Band-Aids and put some moleskin pads in your shoe where the potential irritation will occur, Reid said.

"It is better to put the moleskin on the shoe as opposed to the foot, and the moleskin should extend beyond the area of concern," she said, explaining that if you put it on your foot, it may slide off the skin, especially once you start perspiring.

There are also silicone products that can be used on the skin to help disperse pressure. These are good to keep on hand for emergency blisters for runners, walkers or anyone wearing heels to a party, Reid said.

If you're getting blisters regularly from running, try using paper (surgical) tape, said Dr. Doug Richie, a podiatrist with the Seal Beach Podiatry Group in California. Standard 1-inch paper tape (3M Micropore Paper Tape, for instance) should be applied in one smooth layer over the anticipated blister area.

A study published in the Clinical Journal in Sport Medicine found that paper tape is the least expensive and most effective option for preventing blisters. It reduced blisters by 40 percent at the end of a 155-mile ultramarathon, the study found.

You could improve those odds by making sure your feet are always dry, because moisture leads to blisters.

"Vaseline, mineral oil and other skin lubricants should be avoided," he said.

Richie suggested that runners put on a fresh, dry pair of socks right before they hit the road. But don't grab just any old socks. The type of socks you wear also is important.

Cotton fiber socks should be abandoned in favor of synthetic fiber socks such as Coolmax or polypropylene, Richie said.