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Learn about blisters and their treatment with Meri Sehat. Gain insights for effective care and prevention.

What Is A Blister And How Do You Treat It

Introduction

Picture this: you&#39;re out for a beautiful hike on a sunny day, the birds are chirping, the scenery is stunning, and you&#39;re feeling like you&#39;re on top of the world. Then suddenly, you feel a hot, burning sensation on your foot. You look down and see a small, fluid-filled bubble on your skin. Ah, the dreaded blister has arrived.

Blisters are a common ailment that can strike at any time, whether you&#39;re out exploring nature or just trying to break in a new pair of shoes. While they can be painful and annoying, they also have fascinating biology behind them. 
&nbsp;

A blister is a painful skin condition where fluid fills a space between layers of skin. They can be circular, and appear as a single bubble or in clusters. They can be itchy or painful depending on the cause.<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>

The skin has three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. Blisters are fluid-filled sacs that form under the epidermis and while they can appear anywhere on the body, they are usually seen on the hands and feet. Blisters can be filled with clear liquid or blood, depending on the injury. They can also become infected and fill with milky-white pus. 
&nbsp;

Friction blisters are the most common type of blisters caused by increased shear stress between the skin and body. The stratum spinosum layer (this is a layer of the skin which contributes to the flexibility and strength of the skin) is most susceptible to shear forces, which leads to plasma-like fluid filling the gap created by the tear. This fluid promotes new growth and regeneration.

Cell division and new skin layer formation occur in the following 24-120 hours, and as new cells develop, the fluid is reabsorbed and the swelling subsides. Painful blisters on the palms or soles are caused by deeper layer tissue shearing and proximity to nerve endings<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Did You Know?</h5>

33% of American soldiers had foot friction blisters during the first Iraq War, and 11% of those needed medical attention<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Understanding and Treating Blisters

The 3 main types of blisters are:

<ol>
	<li>Blood blisters</li>
	<li>Friction blisters</li>
	<li>Heat blisters</li>
</ol>

Other blister kinds, such as those caused by chickenpox, shingles, and atopic eczema, are named after the condition to which they are related.<a href="#accordion">[2]</a> 
&nbsp;

There are many ailments and activities that can cause blisters. The following are some common causes:

Friction

Blisters can be caused by repetitive friction or rubbing, which commonly appear on the hands or feet. Areas of skin with thick horny layers are more likely to generate blisters. Warm and damp conditions increase the likelihood of blister formation. While blisters can lead to serious medical issues, such as ulceration and infection, this is rare under normal conditions. 
&nbsp;

Temperature

Blister formation helps in the classification of burns. Second-degree burns, for instance, result in immediate blistering, whereas first-degree burns cause blisters to form a couple of days after the incident. Blisters also occur in frostbite. In both cases of extreme temperatures, blisters serve as a defense mechanism to protect the underlying skin layers from temperature-related damage. 
&nbsp;

Chemical

Chemical exposure can sometimes cause blisters. This is known as contact dermatitis. Your skin can react to a plethora of everyday objects that you&rsquo;re allergic to, such as latex gloves, perfume, fabric, or things used to make toys. Some of the chemicals that bring about an onset of blisters are:

<ul>
	<li>Solvents</li>
	<li>Detergents</li>
	<li>Cosmetics</li>
	<li>Nickel sulfate used for electroplating</li>
	<li>Insect bites, such as scabies</li>
	<li>Balsam of Peru, which is a flavoring agent</li>
	<li>Chemical warfare agents, such as mustard gas 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Pinching And Crushing

If any blood vessel is damaged near the surface of the skin, then blood may leak and pool up in a gap between the skin, forming a blood blister. 
&nbsp;

Medical Conditions

<ul>
	<li>Chicken Pox &ndash; Small blisters develop that eventually scab over.</li>
	<li>Herpes &ndash; The clusters of blisters formed by the<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/genital-herpes"> herpes </a>simplex virus are commonly referred to as cold sores.</li>
	<li>Bullous Impetigo &ndash; Formation of blisters on the legs, arms, or trunk. It mostly affects children under the age of 2.</li>
	<li>Eczema &ndash; Also known as atopic dermatitis, blistering occurs alongside other conditions, such as flaking, cracking, and crusting.</li>
	<li>Dyshidrosis &ndash; There is a rapid occurrence of several small and clear blisters.</li>
	<li>Bullous Pemphigoid &ndash; An autoimmune disease, which is most common in the elderly, affects the skin, and causes blisters.</li>
	<li>Pemphigus &ndash; This is a rare class of autoimmune disorders that affects the mucous membranes and skin. The immune system destroys a crucial skin adhesion molecule, disconnecting the epidermis from the deeper skin layers.</li>
	<li>Dermatitis Herpetiformis &ndash; This is a chronic skin condition that has a similar appearance to herpes but has no relation with it.</li>
	<li>Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome &ndash; This is caused by exposure to radiation.</li>
	<li>Epidermolysis Bullosa &ndash; It is a genetic disease of the connective tissue involving blister formation on the skin and mucous membranes. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>When Should I See A Doctor For My Blisters?</h5>

You should go to a doctor if you experience fever, flu-like symptoms, or chills at the time of blisters, or if your blister shows signs of infection such as:<a href="#accordion">[1][3]</a>

<ul>
	<li>Pus, which is a greenish or yellowish discharge</li>
	<li>Painful and hot area around the blister</li>
	<li>Red streaks surrounding the blister</li>
</ul>

If blisters are around the genitals or eyes, then that is also a cause for concern. 
&nbsp;

Popping a blister is like popping bubble wrap &ndash; it&rsquo;s so tempting, isn&rsquo;t it? But it would probably end in tears or, in this case, pain and infection. Yikes!

Draining your blister is generally not recommended unless it&rsquo;s so big that the pressure from the fluid is causing pain. So, keep the blister intact if it isn&#39;t too uncomfortable. An intact skin over blisters acts as a natural barrier to microorganisms and reduces the likelihood of infection.

You can also use a moleskin or bandage to protect it. Cut a piece of moleskin into the shape of a doughnut to encircle and shield the blister. Then cover the blister and moleskin with gauze. 
&nbsp;

If you absolutely MUST drain it yourself, then here is how<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>:

<ol>
	<li>Use warm water to wash your hands and the blister.</li>
	<li>Clean the blister with iodine.</li>
	<li>Use rubbing alcohol to clean a sharp needle.</li>
	<li>Take the needle and prick the blister in a few places around the edges. Let the fluid drain but leave the skin intact.</li>
	<li>Apply an ointment, like petroleum jelly, to the blister and cover it with a non-stick gauze bandage. If the ointment causes a rash, discontinue it.</li>
	<li>Check the area for any signs of infection every day. </li>
	<li>After a few days, sanitize your tweezers and scissors with rubbing alcohol and use them to remove the dead skin. Put on a bandage and extra cream. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

NOTE: Avoid treating the blister yourself if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Also, if a blister becomes infected, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY! 
&nbsp;

Blisters caused by friction, allergens, and burns are temporary reactions.

If a blister bursts naturally, let the fluid drain and resist the urge to peel off the skin. Wash with mild soapy water and cover it with a dry sterile dressing.

In case it&rsquo;s a blood blister, let it heal on its own schedule. It can hurt more than typical blisters, so you may want to use an ice pack to soothe the affected spot. Place a cloth over the injured region to make sure the ice pack does not directly contact the skin.

Some conditions that cause blisters may not have a cure but can be managed with treatments prescribed by your doctor, such as steroid creams or antibiotics. 
&nbsp;

NOTE: If you think a blister is infected, don&rsquo;t delay in getting it checked out by your doctor. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Friction Blisters &ndash; They are caused by repeated rubbing. To prevent this:<a href="#accordion">[1]</a></li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li>Wear shoes that fit right</li>
	<li>Break in new shoes before you wear them for extended periods</li>
	<li>Wear gloves if you want to do a lot of manual labor</li>
	<li>Wear the right fitting of clothes to prevent chafing</li>
	<li>If you feel a blister forming while you&rsquo;re walking, stop and cover that area with a bandage to prevent further friction 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Blood Blisters &ndash; It&rsquo;s hard to prevent them but you can try:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li>Being careful while using tools that could pinch</li>
	<li>Wearing gloves when using pruners or pliers 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Heat Blisters &ndash; To prevent them:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li>Use sunscreen before leaving the house</li>
	<li>Deal with hot items carefully</li>
	<li>Wear clothes that are weather-appropriate to avoid frostbites 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Conclusion

The fact that blisters are rather common does not lessen how painful they are. Blisters are a huge pain for runners, hikers, and anybody who spends a lot of time on their feet. A blister should heal on its own in a few days should you get one. Visit your healthcare provider if your blister seems infected. 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Blisters are a common ailment that can strike at any time, whether you&#39;re out exploring nature or just trying to break in a new pair of shoes. </li>
	<li>The three main types of blisters are friction, blood, and heat blisters.</li>
	<li>Other blister kinds, such as those caused by chickenpox, shingles, and atopic eczema, are named after the condition to which they are related.</li>
	<li>Visit a doctor if you experience fever, flu-like symptoms, or chills in the presence of blisters, or if your blister shows signs of infection</li>
	<li>Some conditions that cause blisters may not have a cure but can be managed with treatments prescribed by your doctor, such as steroid creams or antibiotics.</li>
</ul>