Blisters: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

How To Avoid These Painful Skin Abrasions

May 5, 2009 Sarah Stefanson

Blisters are fairly common, but have you ever thought about why they occur and what you can do about them?

A blister is a raised pocket of skin usually containing a clear liquid called serum or plasma. Blisters can also be filled with blood (as in the case of blood blisters) or pus (when they become infected). Most people have experienced a blister on their hands or feet at some point in their lives, but chances are they haven’t put much thought into why it is there or how to deal with it.

Causes

Blisters can result from friction, freezing, burning, exposure to chemicals or infection. The most common type of blister results from forceful rubbing such as the kind that happens when one takes a long walk in shoes that aren’t properly broken in or when one does a repeated motion, such as raking, without using work gloves. Burns, including sunburns, are also known to cause blistering. Frostbite can raise blisters. Certain chemicals can result in blisters when they come into contact with the skin. A blood blister may form when the skin in pinched or crushed. Blisters can also be symptoms of some diseases such as chickenpox, herpes and impetigo.

Treatment

In the case of friction blisters, the most important first step is to stop the irritation to the skin. Most blisters caused by rubbing will heal on their own and won’t require medical attention. New skin will start to grow beneath the blister and the fluid inside will be reabsorbed by the body. Eventually the skin on top of the blister will dry and fall off. Blisters should not be popped or ruptured if it can be avoided, since the skin provides a natural barrier to infection. As it heals, the blister can be covered with a dressing and an emollient may be applied to help keep the skin soft. If the blister is painful, soaking it in warm water may help.

If a blister becomes infected, it may require treatment from a doctor. It is possible to take care of it at home, but to be safe, any infection should be looked at by a medical professional. Any severe blistering should also be seen by a doctor.

In the case of sunburn, after-sun products or calamine lotion may lessen discomfort as the blisters heal.

Prevention

To avoid friction blisters, it is important to reduce the amount of rubbing on a particular area.

Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well and clean, dry socks can help prevent blisters from appearing on the feet. Blisters are more likely to form on moist skin so wearing moisture-controlling socks or changing socks frequently will help. Sport socks can assist with keeping feet dry and comfortable while playing sports or doing physical activity. Make sure shoes are properly broken in before engaging in any long-lasting activity. Bandages, moleskin and tapes can be applied to problem spots on the feet to prevent blisters or friction management patches can be attached to the shoe.

Friction blisters on the hands can be prevented by wearing work gloves when using tools or doing repetitive manual labour.

Always use sunscreen when skin is exposed to sun, especially during the hottest time of the day.

When handling chemicals, protective gloves should always be worn.

The copyright of the article Blisters: Causes, Treatment and Prevention in General Medicine is owned by Sarah Stefanson. Permission to republish Blisters: Causes, Treatment and Prevention in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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May 7, 2009 5:16 AM

Guest :

A company called Tamarack in Minnesota manufactures a product that relieves painful rubbing and blisters called ENGO Patches. The low-friction surface absorbs the repetitive friction forces, preventing hot spots and blisters from forming on your skin. The ENGO patches apply directly onto the source of irritation - the footwear, not on the skin. Check it out at www.goengo.com.

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