Blisters

A blister is a small pocket of fluid in the upper skin layers and is one of the body’s responses to injury or pressure. The feet are particularly prone to blisters. Ill-fitting shoes or friction can damage the skin, and a blister forms to cushion the area from further damage as it heals. The body gradually absorbs the fluid as the underlying skin recovers. This can take around one week or so. Depending on the cause and location, a blister can range from the size of a pinprick to two centimetres or more in diameter. A blood blister is usually caused by a severe pinch or bruise to the skin that breaks the tiny blood vessels (capillaries).

Symptoms
The symptoms of a blister include:

• Reddened and tender skin patch
• Raised lump filled with clear fluid
• Sometimes, the lump is filled with blood.

• Ill-fitting shoes
• Friction (for example, using a shovel all day without gloves can cause blisters on the palms of the hands)
• Scalds or burns
• Severe sunburn
• Allergic reaction to irritants
• Viral skin infection (such as herpes/warts)
• Fungal skin infection (such as tinea).

• Resist the temptation to burst the blister. You could cause an infection or hinder your body’s healing process.
• If the blister has burst, don’t peel off the baggy skin pocket – let your body heal the area in its own way and in its own time.
• Frequently wash the area with salt water and keep it free from dirt or irritants.
• If the site of the blister makes it vulnerable to popping (for example, a blister on your foot may be broken by the friction of socks or shoes), pad it with a soft dressing, securely taped.
• Don’t use tape alone, as removing the tape may rip the skin off the blister.
• Change the dressing daily.
• Zinc cream may help to dry up your blister. However, don’t use zinc cream with a dressing.
• If the blister breaks, press gently to remove the fluid and apply an antiseptic (such as iodine) to reduce the risks of infection.
• Avoid ‘folk remedies’ like applying butter or vinegar.

• The blister is caused by burns, scalds or severe sunburn.
• The blister starts weeping pus.
• The area becomes increasingly swollen or inflamed.
• You suspect the blister is caused by some type of skin infection or allergic reaction.

• Proper and sterile drainage of fluid
• Professional dressing/padding techniques
• Antibiotics, in the case of bacterial infection
• Antifungal preparations, in the case of fungal infection
• Antiviral preparations, in the case of viral infection
• Treatment for underlying allergy.

• Wear properly fitted shoes.
• Choose moisture-wicking socks (socks that draw sweat away from your feet) or change socks twice daily if you have sweaty feet, as wet socks cause friction and rubbing.
• Wear ‘sports socks’ when exercising or playing sports.
• If you become aware of a localised ‘hot’ area on your foot, stop your sport and tape the area immediately.
• Apply a foot spray deodorant to reduce sweating and thereby reduce the risk of fungal infection.
• Change damp socks promptly, as wet socks can drag against the skin.
• Wear heavy-duty work gloves when using tools such as shovels or picks.
• Protect yourself against sunburn with clothing, hats and sunscreen lotions.
• Avoid unnecessary skin contact with chemicals.
• Be careful when dealing with steam, flames or objects that radiate heat (such as electric stovetops).

• Your doctor
• Chemist
• Podiatrist.

• A blister is a small pocket of fluid in the upper skin layers and is one of the body’s responses to injury or friction.
• The feet are particularly prone to blisters.
• Blisters rarely need medical attention unless they are severe, recurrent, caused by burns or indicative of an underlying infection.

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