Medicines for Blisters

What it is

Blisters are small pockets of fluid that form in the upper layers of the skin, usually as a way of protecting the damaged skin underneath and helping it heal. They are very common and usually harmless. The most common cause is friction — for example from ill-fitting or new shoes rubbing the feet, or from using tools or equipment that rub the hands — but blisters can also be caused by burns and scalds, sunburn, contact with certain chemicals or substances, extreme cold, allergic reactions, and some skin conditions and infections (such as chickenpox, cold sores, shingles, or impetigo). A friction blister is typically a raised bubble of skin filled with clear fluid; blisters can sometimes be filled with blood (blood blisters) or, if infected, with pus. Most blisters, particularly friction blisters, heal by themselves within a few days to a week or so without any specific treatment, as the fluid is gradually reabsorbed and new skin forms underneath. The most important point in caring for a blister is, wherever possible, to leave it intact and not to burst it, because the blister’s "roof" of skin protects the raw skin underneath from infection while it heals. Covering the blister can protect it, and simple measures relieve discomfort. Most blisters need no medical attention. However, some situations need care or advice — for example blisters caused by burns, large or very painful blisters, blisters that look infected, blisters with no clear cause, or widespread or recurring blistering (which can be a sign of an underlying condition). Preventing friction blisters — for example by wearing well-fitting footwear and protecting the skin — is also worthwhile.

How it is treated

Most blisters, particularly friction blisters, heal on their own within a few days to a week or so, and the key to caring for them is to protect the blister and, wherever possible, leave it intact. Helpful measures include: not bursting or peeling a blister if possible, as the skin over it protects the raw skin underneath from infection while it heals; covering the blister with a plaster or dressing (a soft, cushioned or blister plaster can protect it and relieve pressure), particularly if it is in a place that gets rubbed; avoiding the activity or footwear that caused it while it heals; and keeping the area clean. If a blister bursts on its own, it is best to let the fluid drain, not to peel off the loose skin (leaving it as a natural cover), and to keep the area clean and covered. In some cases, a large or painful blister may be carefully drained by a health professional, but generally it is best not to deliberately burst blisters at home. Blisters caused by burns should be treated as burns (cooling the burn and seeking advice as appropriate) and not burst. It is worth seeking advice if a blister looks infected (increasingly painful, red, swollen, warm, or oozing pus, or with feeling unwell), is very large or painful, is caused by a burn or scald, keeps coming back, appears without a clear cause, or if there is widespread blistering — as these may need treatment or point to an underlying cause. Preventing friction blisters is worthwhile: wearing well-fitting, comfortable footwear and breaking in new shoes gradually, wearing socks that reduce rubbing, protecting areas prone to rubbing, and wearing gloves for tasks that rub the hands all help. The reassuring messages are that most blisters are harmless and heal on their own, that leaving them intact protects against infection, and that simple protection and prevention are usually all that is needed — while infected, large, burn-related, unexplained, or widespread blisters should be checked.