Blister
(Free health ebook chapter on blisters)
A blister is caused by friction resulting in soft tissue breakdown that does not cause an opening in the skin. Blisters are bumps that are filled with fluid that look like bubbles. They commonly occur in areas of friction, such as when you are wearing a tight shoe or when you are shoveling without a glove. Most blisters can be treated without the help of a doctor.
Many different skin diseases can cause blisters, such as shingles, cold sores, impetigo, chickenpox and scabies. This section will look at blisters caused by friction.
Risk factors for blisters
- Temperature
- Exposure to friction
- Moisture
- Older age
- Smoking
- Anemia
- Swelling
- Infection
Who needs to go to the doctor
Most blisters do not require the care of a physician. Most small blisters heal on their own. Some cases do require the input of a health care provider, including:
- Any sign or symptoms of infection: redness, tenderness or swelling of the skin around the blister
- When you are unsure of the cause of the blister. Friction blisters are recognized easily, but when there is no apparent cause or there are multiple blisters other conditions may be present that require a doctor’s input.
How to treat a blister
- Do not puncture intact blisters the blister protects the underlying area from infection.
- Clean the area around the blister with soap and water and then apply an antibacterial cream. The area can be covered with a gauze to prevent infection. Change the dressing once a day.
- Protect the blister. Cut a hole in a moleskin and place it around the blister and then place another moleskin over the blister. Moleskin can be bought at any drug store
- There are multiple over-the-counter products that help with the treatment of blisters. Dr. Scholl makes a product called Blister Treatment that can be used to help heal and protect a blister. It is applied after the area is cleaned. Band-aid makes a product called Advanced Healing Blisters that can be used on open blisters. It protects the blister while the body heals it. Band-aid also makes a product for between the toes and finger called Advanced Healing Blisters for fingers and toes that can be used on open blisters.
To purchase products discussed in this chapter visit The Drug Store.
Prevention
- Wear gloves when you are doing jobs you are unaccustomed to such as raking leaves or shoveling snow.
- Break in new shoes gradually. Wear them around the house for an hour or two and gradually increase the time you wear them before you engage in any significant activity.
- Wear socks with heels – not tube socks. Tube socks bunch up and increase friction.
- Acrylic fiber and polyester socks are low-friction socks.
- Band-aid makes a product called friction block that works to reduced friction on areas likely to develop blisters. They can be applied to the feet when breaking in new shoes.
It is not recommended to pop a blister, but if one is large and painful it will burst on its own. The area should be washed and a bit of antibiotic ointment should be placed over the blister. Discharge should be clear and thin, if it is thick, yellow or white there may be an infection and it needs medical attention. The remaining skin should remain as a protective barrier. The area should be watched closely for infection such as redness, tenderness or heat from the area, a red streak going away from the blister or pus drainage.
Over-the-counter products
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Products
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Notes
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Moleskin
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Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus
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Pad should be cut around the blister and than covered with another moleskin
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Band-Aids
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Advanced Healing Blisters
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Use on open or intact blisters. It protects the blister while the body heals it.
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Advanced Healing Blisters for Fingers and Toes
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Use on open or intact blisters. It protects the blister while the body heals it.
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Friction Block
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Apply to areas where there is risk of blister formation to reduce friction
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Dr. Scholl's
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Blister treatment
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Heals and protect a blister. It is applied after the area is cleaned
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