For example, remove uncomfortable shoes or clothing that might be causing the blister. If you are blistering from cold or heat, remove your body from the source of the temperature. If you are out in the sun, go indoors immediately or cover yourself with clothing.
Protecting the blister is extremely important if the blister is on a weight-bearing area, like your foot. You can cut a cushioning bandage into a donut shape to help cushion the area while leaving the blister untouched. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Though you want to cover the blister when you are going to put weight or other objects against it, leave the blister open to the air as much as possible. For example, when you are at home, uncover the blister.
Place a rag in cold water, twist out all the water, then place it on the blister for a calming affect.
Keep the ice pack on the blood blister for five to 15 minutes every hour until the pain is reduced. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don’t have an ice pack. Wrap the ice pack in a towel. Never apply ice directly onto any blister.
You can use a triple antibiotic cream, like neomycin or bacitracin. You can also an ointment such as Vaseline. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Stop using any ointment that causes a rash. Generally, you only apply ointments and creams to blisters that have popped to help reduce infection and boost the healing process.
Make sure to use aloe vera gel from a plant. Aloe vera gel that you buy contains extra ingredients that can dry out the skin or irritate and burn. Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and promotes healing. [7] X Research source Hashemi SA, Madani SA, Abediankenari S. The Review on Properties of Aloe Vera in Healing of Cutaneous Wounds. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:714216.
This helps to reduce pain and itching, along with helping prevent infection and swelling. Green tea bags may be helpful in reducing pain and irritation caused by cold sores. Put the green tea bag into the refrigerator to add a bonus soothing element.
You can also mix the vitamin E with calendula oil, which is traditionally used to help heal wounds. Just mix equal amounts of vitamin E and calendula oil.
Use a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel to reduce the swelling of the blister instead of popping it. You may want to cover the blister with a bandage just in case it pops, like if you are wearing shoes with a foot blister.
Wash your hands and the blister before you begin. Start by wiping down a needle with rubbing alcohol. Then, gently puncture the side of the blister. Try to get the needle close to the edge if possible. Carefully push the fluid out toward the puncture. Remember, try to keep the blister roof intact as much as possible. Use a gauze pad to collect the fluid as it oozes from the blister. Wash the blister with soap and water afterwards.
Before you apply the gauze, you can apply an antibiotic ointment or Vaseline to the blister. You can add a teaspoon of honey because honey has antibiotic properties and can speed healing. [14] X Research source Jull AB, Cullum N, Dumville JC, Westby MJ, Deshpande S, Walker N. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Mar 6;3:CD005083. When you place a bandage, make sure the bandage has a “tent” to minimize contact of the bandage with the blister. To do this, leave a bit of space between the blister and the bandage. Try to pull it up so it stays over the skin without touching it. Change the bandage daily. Make sure to keep the bandage dry.
Friction: This is generally intense friction over a short period of time. Corns and calluses develop from longer-term rubbing. Burns: Any source of intense heat from flames, steam, the sun, or hot surfaces can result in a blister Cold: Blisters can result from intense cold. Irritants or Allergens: The reaction of the skin to various chemical irritants or allergens can result in blistering. Drug reactions: There are a wide variety of drugs which can cause skin reactions, including blisters. Diseases and Infections: There are autoimmune diseases where the immune system reacts against components of the skin that can result in blisters. These all require medical attention. These disorders include pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, and dermatitis herpetiformis. Infections with viruses, such as chickenpox, shingles, and cold sores, or bacteria can also result in blistering Genetics: Certain rare genetic disorders result in widespread blistering. Insect bites: Some insect and spider bites result in blisters.
Go to the doctor if your blister is infected. The blister will have yellow or green pus in it if it is infected. It may also be extremely painful, red, and hot. See your doctor if the blisters are causing you severe pain. Get checked out by a doctor if your blisters keep coming back. You should also get checked out if your blisters are in odd places, like eyelids and your mouth. See your doctor if severe blisters are received from sunburns, burns, scalds, or allergic reactions.
Place moleskin on places in your shoes to rub against your skin or put powder inside your shoes to absorb moisture. Wear gloves to help prevent blisters from working or when handling cold or hot objects.
