Thursday, June 26, 2014

Blisters: Your Body's way of Healing

Blisters. We’ve all dealt with them. Whether it’s due to incorrectly fitted footwear, prolonged rubbing or sweating, these pesky little bubbles are a pain in the … foot! 

Blisters result from a hot spot, a place on your skin that is irritated from rubbing, friction or pressure. In the summer your feet tends to sweat more creating increased opportunities for blisters to form. This continual focused irritation causes actual tiny tears in your epidermis (outermost layer of skin). As a healing mechanism your body sends fluids to fill the gap between the layers of skin, to protect the sensitive skin now exposed.


Ideally you want to leave a blister alone to heal. Your body is an amazing organism and sufficiently takes care of itself when allowed to do so. The bubble a blister forms is actually protecting your irritated skin from bacteria and infection, as well as from pain. When left alone new, healthy skin will form under the blister and the fluid will absorb back into the body.  For a normal everyday blister- there is no immediate need to seek medical help.
*Occasionally one can develop blood blisters, where the blister is filled with blood not plasma, or a blister can be filled with thicker, discolored fluid indicating infection. If you notice these signs please seek medical help. 

If the blister is in a particularly nagging area or is very painful you may need to pop the blister. While we do not recommend this, we understand sometimes it cannot be avoided. Taking proper steps and precautions can make all the difference.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water
  • Wash blister and surrounding area with antibacterial soap and water
  • Dry area completely
  • Sterilize a thin, pin sized, needle with alcohol
  • Gentley poke a hole in the side of the blister
  • Squeeze out all fluid (If the fluid is not clear it may be sign of infection and you need to see a medical professional)
  • Do NOT remove extra skin from blister, this provides a protective barrier from infection
  • Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment
  • If needed apply bandage, loosely, over area


 We also recommend you clean and check affected area often to catch any signs of infection early.

Have a problem with a blister? Come see us for the appropriate treatment for you! 

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