Your skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and subcutaneous (below the skin) fat. A blister forms under the epidermis as a fluid-filled sac. Typically, it may be filled with clear liquid or blood, depending on the injury that damaged your skin.
Blisters may be painful or itchy. If a blister gets infected, it will fill with milky-white pus. Blisters most often show up on the feet or hands, but they can appear anywhere on the body.
You can get blisters in several different ways, including some diseases. The most common types of blisters include:
Blood blisters: You can get blood blisters when something pinches your skin. Instead of clear liquid, blood floods the area from broken blood vessels and damage to the lower layers of the skin. The blood pools and forms a blister.
Friction blisters: Caused by rubbing on the skin, friction blisters form when clear fluid builds up in the upper layers of skin. Many people get friction blisters from walking too much in poor-fitting shoes or by not wearing socks. You can also get them on your hands from holding things like shovels or other tools.
Heat blisters: You can get these blisters from burns or sunburns. They may also form after you warm up from frostbite. Blistering skin is part of a second-degree burn.
How do I treat blisters?
Blisters generally heal on their own within a few days. You can do a few things at home to make them more comfortable:
Wash the area gently with a mild soap.
Apply antibacterial cream or ointment.
Cover the blister with a bandage or gauze.
Be sure to change the bandage at least once a day. And resist the temptation to pop or break a blister or peel it off. The skin on the blister protects deeper layers of skin from infection.
Do I need to have a doctor look at my blister?
Blisters generally do not need a healthcare provider to look at them. There are no tests or diagnostics for blisters.
If a burn or frostbite caused your blisters, a healthcare provider may need to treat the underlying cause. You may also need to see your provider if a blister shows signs of infection, such as:
Your Family, Our Responsibility !