Do you feel discomfort due to blisters or blisters on the foot? Maybe you’re wondering, “Should I pop blisters on my foot?” The answer’s here.
What can you read in this article?
- Unexplained blisters on feet
- How to treat blisters on feed
- How long does it take for a blister to heal
Unexplained blisters on feet: what to know
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Blisters on the feet are usually ignored. But having it can cause more serious infections. Here are the things you should know.
Blisters on feet
Blisters are condensed fluid (like bubbles) that forms on one part of the body. It varies in size and is formed for a variety of reasons. You may have it after a skin burn, fungal or bacterial infection, insect bite, or trauma.
It can affect daily life and your activities because of the uncomfortable feeling it causes. Just like if you have blisters on your feet, you may have difficulty walking, exercising, or standing for long periods of time.
Blisters are usually seen on the feet
If you have a blister on the foot, it may be caused by friction (wearing tight shoes so the foot rubs against it).
Walking or standing for several hours a day can also cause blisters on the feet. Because it puts pressure on the heels, feet, and toes. The longer you stand a day, the greater your risk of having blisters.
However, not everyone who walks or stands for long periods of time develops blisters. In many instances, these bubbles result from shoes that do not fit the size or are too tight on your foot.
Shoes that are too tight or too loose can rub the skin. This causes friction and as a result, fluid accumulates in the upper layer of the skin.
Excessive sweating may cause blisters
Excess moisture or sweat can also trigger skin bubbles. This is common during the warm season. It often happens to athletes, especially runners. Small blisters form when sweat clogs the pores in the feet.
Blisters on the feet can also form after sunburn. Other possible causes of foot blisters are as follows:
- Frostbite
- Allergic reaction
- Chemical exposure (paggamit ng cosmetics at detergent)
- Fungal infection
- Bacterial infection
- Bulutong
- Buni
- Dyshidrotic eczema
Types of blisters
You can get blisters in a variety of ways, including some pain. These are the most common types of blisters:
You can have blood blisters when there is a pinch on your skin. Instead of clear liquid, blood accumulates from damaged blood vessels and destroys the lower layers of the skin. Blood collects and forms blisters.
Friction blisters form when fluid accumulates in the upper layers of the skin due to rubbing or friction. Many people develop friction blisters due to excessive walking with inappropriate shoes or not wearing socks.
You can also get them in your hands by handling objects such as shovels or other tools.
You can get these blisters from burns or sunburn. They can also form after you warm up from frostbite. Skin blisters are part of second-degree burns.
Some medical conditions that can cause blisters
There are medical conditions that cause a person to have a blister. If you have conditions such as the following, it is a good idea to be alert to the risk of blisters.
- Smallpox: The rash caused by smallpox forms small blisters that eventually grow.
- Herpes: Cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus can turn into cluster blisters
- Bullous impetigo: Often seen in children under 2 years of age, blisters can form on the arms or legs.
- Eczema: Blistering can occur in conjunction with several other skin symptoms such as cracking, crusting, and flaking.
- Dyshidrosis: A skin condition characterized by the rapid appearance of many small blisters.
- Bullous pemphigoid: An autoimmune disease that affects the skin and causes blisters, it is most common in elderly patients.
- Pemphigus: A rare group of autoimmune diseases, it affects the skin and mucous membranes. The immune system attacks an important adhesive molecule in the skin, separating the epidermis from the remaining layers of the skin.
- Cutaneous radiation syndrome: These are the effects of radiation exposure.
- Epidermolysis bullosa: It is a genetic disease of connective tissue that causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.
How to treat blisters on feet
Image from Shutterstock
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You may think of bursting your blister. Should I pop blisters? But you should avoid it because if it explodes, it will be open and bacteria may enter.
As first aid, an adhesive bandage can cover your blister. This will help protect against other bacteria while it is healing.
Here are the home treatments you can do to get rid of blisters on the feet.
- Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap.
- Using a cotton swab, disinfect a needle with rubbing alcohol.
- Clean the blister with antiseptic.
- Take the disinfected needle and pierce the blister.
- Allow the fluid to come out spontaneously and drain from the blister.
- Apply antibacterial ointment or cream to the blister.
- Wrap the blister with a bandage or gauze.
- Clean and apply antibacterial ointment daily to the blister.
- Keep the blister covered until it has healed.
In some cases, blisters do not heal after doing home treatment. See a doctor if the blister is causing severe pain or it is preventing you from walking.
Also see a doctor right away if the blisters are accompanied by fever, nausea, or chills. This may be a sign of an infection.
Natural remedies for blister on feet
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There are natural remedies to get rid of blisters. These are the natural remedies for blisters from the article “5 ways to get rid of blisters” by Medical News Today.
Aloe vera leaves contain a gel-like substance known for its healing properties.
The compounds inside aloe vera gel reduce inflammation, increase collagen production, and stimulate cellular regeneration that can help heal wounds.
Plain petroleum jelly is known to be used by dermatologists to treat wounds. Although the blister itself will serve as a cover to the wound, if it disappears, apply vaseline petroleum jelly and use a bandage to cover the wound.
Calendula is derived from the marigold plant. It contains several antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and increase skin healing.
Although calendula seems safe for external use, it can cause contact dermatitis. People using calendula for the first time should first test it on their skin before using it to treat blisters or other sensitive areas of the skin.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a type of fatty acid that can hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation. It can repair tissue and heal wounds.
The cotton ball can be dipped in melted coconut oil and gently dab it on the blister.
The compounds within Melissa officinalis also known as lemon balm, have antiviral effects. Lemon balm can suppress the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in the early stages of infection.
Lemon balm can also help reduce inflammation and pain associated with HSV infections. It can be mixed with water and applied the mixture to the wound using a cotton swab.
How long does it take for a blister to heal
If you get a blister, try to be patient and wait for it to heal naturally. Blisters usually heal on their own in one to two weeks. Before returning to the activity that caused your blister, wait until it has healed.
As your blister heals, keep an eye out for signs of infection. If you notice any redness, pus, increased pain or swelling, make an appointment with your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist.
How to prevent foot blisters
To prevent the occurrence of a blister on the foot, one should look at the reason why it develops. If you are getting a blister due to friction, the first thing to avoid is wearing inappropriate shoes.
If you are an athlete, make sure your feet are dry. Apply foot powder to reduce sweating, or wear moisture-wicking socks designed for athletes. These socks dry faster and prevent moisture on the foot.
Meanwhile, cosmetic products such as powders, lotions, and soaps or allergens can trigger blisters on your feet. Avoiding the irritation it causes will help prevent blistering.
For blisters caused by a medical condition, discuss possible treatments with your doctor.
If you want to read the English version of this article, click here.
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