Blisters: Precautions, Causes, and What to Do with Them

Jan 18 , 2021

Erandika Mohanathasan

Tags - Blisters

Small Pockets of body fluid beneath your upper layer of the skin (epidermis) are called Blisters.

In particular, blisters are formed to guard the damaged skin and aid in the healing process.

Most commonly, blisters are caused by skin reactions, such as allergy, burns, friction, freezing (frostbite), repetitive friction or rubbing and chemical burns.

Further, blisters, which are red or black coloured and filled with blood instead of body fluid are called Blood Blisters. Blood blisters form when the vessels which carry blood get damaged, and they hurt more than the regular blisters.

Infected Blisters

If a blister keeps coming, is painful, looks infected, is formed in an unusual place, is caused by a burn or allergic reason and multiplies, consult your GP as soon as possible.

Specifically, infected blisters are red with a burning sensation, while filled with yellow or green pus.

Here, if you think a blister is infected, consult your GP immediately.More specifically, if it's not taken care of, it will result in blood or skin infection, which could be severe.

What to do with a Blister?

When the blister forms, do not burst it yourself, peel the skin off, or pick the edges.

Usually, blisters heal by itself.

Likewise, if the blister is about to burst, cover it well with dressing or plaster.

But then, later, if the blister burst, let it drain before covering it with a plaster.

In addition, always wash hands before touching the blister which has burst, to avoid any infections.

Apart from this, If the blister is caused by wearing shoes, try not to wear the same shoes again, or at least wait till the blister heals fully.

Kinds of Blisters

There are 3 kinds of blisters, i.e

Sweating

Exorbitant amounts of moisture or sweating (perspiration) could generate blisters. As sweat clogs the pores, which leads to formation of blisters.

Therefore, they are more likely to appear in warm conditions and in thick skin areas (such as palms and feet).

Precautions

If you get blisters on your feet, make sure that you

wear comfortable and fit shoes
break into new shoes gradually
while exercising wear thick and comfortable socks which could manage moisture.

Furthermore, if you have sweaty feet, put talcum powder in socks as it would help to absorb moisture.

Similarly, wear protective gloves while using tools or when going out in winter to avoid blisters.

Further, if you often get blisters on foot for wearing shoes, add friction management patches or padding to your shoes, and apply tape or moleskin to the places you think would blister easily on foot.

Medical Conditions That Could Causes Blister

Chicken Pox : This causes red spots which could be itchy which leads to rashes and blisters. It is generally classified as a childhood illness.
Cold Sores : Blister on or around the lips/mouth which is caused by a virus.
Genital Herpes : Infection transmitted sexually (STI). The cold sores which is a result of herpes are an array of blisters.
Bullous Impetigo : Bacterial infection which could be contagious.
Pompholyx: It is a kind of eczema. This causes blistering, cracking, crusting and flaking.
Scabies: Skin infection caused by tiny mites.
Bullous Impetigo: forms blisters on arms and legs. Usually seen in kids under the age of 2.
Bullous Pemphigoid: Autoimmune disease which causes blisters. Usually seen in elders.
Dyshidrosis: Skin disease defined by formation of multiple blisters.
Pemphigus: Another Autoimmune disease which causes blisters.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Chronic Skin condition which gives blisters, similar to herpes.
Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome: This comes after radiation exposure.
Epidermolysis Bullosa: Genetic Disease which affects tissue, in result causes blisters.
14. Viral infection among Kids: which affects hand,foot and mouth.

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