Blisters may be small, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t painful. Blisters affect everyone at some point in their lives. There are many causes and treatments, so this blog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of everything related to blisters.
What are blisters?
First of all, what are blisters? You probably already know what they look like: small bubbles on the skin, filled with a clear fluid. This fluid is lymph, which contains our white blood cells and helps clean our bloodstream. The fluid will be either serum, the fluid that makes up the majority of lymph, or plasma, the thicker gel that surrounds blood cells.
Why do we get them?
Blisters can form for many reasons, including burns, friction, or infection. The bubble forms in response to one of these damaging factors to protect the lower levels of the skin from further harm.
Who can get blisters?
Because blisters form from external factors, literally anyone can get one, regardless of age, sex, race, etc. However, some people will develop more blisters over their lifetimes if they engage heavily in activities such as running.
How do I treat blisters?
There are many ways to treat a blister. How you decide to go about it is mostly a matter of personal choice. One of the most popular treatments is a foot soak, which helps soften the blister and release the fluid inside. A green tea foot soak is even more effective thanks to the tea’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Another option is to apply something to it. Vaseline is good for small blisters that are just beginning to form, as it prevents further friction. Using witch hazel can help dry up larger blisters where Vaseline would not be effective.
Castor oil can be applied to large blisters at night to help them dry up, while apple cider vinegar should be used for popped blisters to prevent infection.
Popping blisters is not ideal, but it is an option. The risk of infection is the most important thing to remember when popping blisters, so make sure your hands, the needle, and the blister itself are as clean as can be. Running the needle through a flame or rinsing it in alcohol is a good way to achieve this. Remember not to remove the excess skin and to monitor the blister closely after popping. Apply antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection, and monitor the area closely for any white or yellow fluid.
Blisters can be painful, but they’re nothing to worry too much about. While we have looked at many different ways to treat blisters, the best thing you can do is prevent them. So if you develop a blister, try to figure out what caused it and prevent it from recurring.
If you’re experiencing persistent or painful blisters, our podiatry team can help diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
