Blisters develop most often on the feet and are normally caused by a mixture of friction and pressure. They are very common and can be very painful. Show
What is a blister?A blister is a fluid pocket in the skin which develops when the upper skin layers separate and the space between them fills with serum. Serum is the liquid part of the blood - it contains protective substances like antibodies. The appearance is of a bubble on the skin. Sometimes a small blood vessel will bleed into the bubble, in which case rather than being clear it will be red. Occasionally the contents of a blister will become infected and the contents will become cloudy as the blister may then contain pus. Most blister formation is a self-defence strategy by the body. The purpose is to protect the skin beneath from further injury and encourage fast healing. The associated pain also has a protective effect. Blisters are caused by pressure and friction and we are therefore less likely to continue the activity that causes them if they become increasingly painful. What causes foot blisters?Blisters are most common on the feet and ankles, as these are the areas most subject to heat and pressure in most people. Generally blisters may be caused by:
This leaflet focuses on foot blisters caused by friction. Areas of the foot will suffer repeated friction if you:
Additionally blisters will be more likely to form on your feet if you:
Should I pop a blister?The general rule with blisters is do not pop or drain them. If you pop the blister, you have made a hole in the skin (which wasn't there before). This not only removes the protective effect of the blister but opens the area up to infection. Popped blisters are often more painful too, as the nerves in the skin beneath are more exposed. It is particularly important to try to keep the blister intact if any of the following apply to you, as you will be more prone to infection and worsening damage to your feet:
As with every rule, there are exceptions. You may need to pop a blister if it is large and getting in the way of your shoes. You may also judge that it's better to pop it as it is so fluid-filled and tense it's likely to pop anyway as soon as you put your shoes back on. A controlled de-pressurisation of the blister may then make a smaller hole in the skin than if your shoes rubbed the dome of the blister right off. How do I treat a foot blister?Most blisters will heal by themselves and the blister fluid will be gradually re-absorbed as the skin beneath heals. You can speed this up and decrease pain by home treatments:
If the blister is large and tense and will clearly burst if you don't let the fluid out, you may decide to pop it (but with the cautions above). In this case the principle of draining the blister is to make as small a hole as you can in as sterile a way as possible. Aim to preserve the top of the blister to act as protection for the skin beneath. You do this by:
If you have a blister which has already burst:
When your blister is healing keep an eye on it for signs of infection which might include:
What are the complications of foot blisters?Most blisters heal naturally and quickly. Possible complications include:
How do I prevent foot blisters?Blisters can be prevented by reducing the friction that causes them. This can be helped by:
How long do blisters on bottom of feet take to heal?Treating blisters
Most blisters heal naturally after three to seven days and don't require medical attention. It's important to avoid bursting the blister, because this could lead to an infection or slow down the healing process. If the blister does burst, don't peel off the dead skin.
What to do with blisters on bottom feet?To treat a blister, dermatologists recommend the following:. Cover the blister. Loosely cover the blister with a bandage. ... . Use padding. To protect blisters in pressure areas, such as the bottom of your feet, use padding. ... . Avoid popping or draining a blister, as this could lead to infection. ... . Keep the area clean and covered.. Does soaking feet help with blisters?Soaking in Epsom salt and warm water will provide relief as well. Puncturing the blister with a sterilized needle and preserving the top of the blister can relieve the pain. However be careful, as if you take the roof of a newly formed blister off, you may experience more pain and be more at risk for an infection.
Why do my feet blister at the bottom?Shoes that fit too tightly or too loosely can rub against the skin. This causes friction, and as a result, fluid builds up underneath the upper layer of skin. Excessive moisture or perspiration can also trigger these skin bubbles. This is common during warm seasons among athletes, particularly runners.
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