Most blisters caused by friction or minor burns do not need a doctor’s care. New skin will form below the affected area and the fluid is merely soaked up. Do not puncture a blister unless it is big, painful, or likely to be additional inflamed. The fluid-filled blister keeps the underlying skin clean, which prevents infection and promotes recovery.
Correct Procedure to Pop a Blister
But if you need to pop a blister:
- Use a disinfected needle (to decontaminate it, put the point or edge in a flame till it is red hot, or rinse it in alcohol).
- Wash your hands and the area thoroughly, then make a little hole; the fluid will drain pipes by itself.
- If the fluid is white or yellow, the blister may be infected and needs medical attention.
- Do not remove the skin over a damaged blister. The new skin beneath requirements this protective cover.
- Use an antibiotic lotion or cream.
- Try to find signs of infection to establish, including pus drain, red or warm skin surrounding the blister, or red streaks leading away from the blister.
What Are the Side Effects of Popping Blisters on the Feet?
Dealing with the pain of a foot blister, the hassle of blister treatment and the downtime in waiting for it to deal with is bad enough. However an infection is a whole different story. It makes your blister more sore, requires more of your attention and things can go nasty rapidly. So you need medical help close at hand. And let’s face it, while they’re stashed in your shoes, feet invest a great deal of time in an unclean, dark, warm, wet environment that lends itself to bacterial infection. And when not in shoes, out feet are what links us to the ground – a source of unlimited bacteria. So foot blisters are especially vulnerable to infection.
How Can I Prevent Blisters?
Wear work gloves. Jobs you do only sometimes, such as shoveling snow or raking leaves, are terrific for raising a blister or 2.
Break in new shoes slowly and put petroleum jelly or an adhesive bandage on areas that take the rub– prior to the blister occurs.
Home Treatment for Blisters
Blisters from spider bites, chicken pox, shingles, cold sores, and chronic health conditions require unique treatment.
1. For a Blister That Has Not Popped
- Try not to pop or drain it.
- Leave it uncovered or cover loosely with a plaster.
- Try not to put pressure on the area. If the blister remains in a pressure area such as the bottom of the foot, put a donut-shaped moleskin on it.
2. For a Blister That Has Popped
- Wash the area with warm water and mild soap. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine.
- Smooth down the skin flap that remains.
- Apply antibiotic ointment to the area.
- Cover the area loosely with a sterile bandage or gauze.
3. When to Drain a Blister
To drain pipes a blister that is large, painful, or in an uncomfortable spot:
- Wash the area.
- Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and water.
- Make a small hole at the edge of the blister. Carefully squeeze out the fluid.
- Wash the blister again and pat dry. Do not remove the skin over the blister.
- Smooth down the skin flap.
- Apply antibiotic lotion.
- Cover the area loosely with a sterilized bandage or gauze.
4. Keep Paying Attention
- Change the plaster everyday and whenever it gets filthy or wet.
- Avoid using shoes or doing the activity that caused the blister until it heals.
- Use thick socks or work gloves for blisters on the feet or hands.
- See a doctor for signs of infection, consisting of pus, fever, red or warm skin around the blister, red streaks leading away from blister, swollen lymph glands, or increased pain or swelling, or if your last tetanus shot was more than 10 years back.
