Blister: Pop It or Leave It? How to Help Your Blisters Heal

Blister symptoms

Blisters can be a real pain — think of the last time you went on a long hike in the woods or maybe a pleasant stroll on the beach in less-than-ideal sandals. The constant rubbing of exposed skin on your feet can lead to the formation of unseemly blisters. They are not too annoying on their own, but when they pop, they can be quite painful. Of course, blisters can be caused by other conditions, as well. While usually benign, they are sometimes the harbinger of a severe medical condition if they come on severely with no obvious cause.

Your skin is composed of multiple layers which are held together by little proteins. All that a “blister” is, in general, is when these layers become separated from one another. Your body then naturally oozes fluids into this new space between the two layers, creating that classic blister appearance. Over time, this fluid can drain and the layers may reattach, but many blisters tend to pop or be rubbed open before this can occur. When this happens, the underlying layer of skin is exposed to the air and is at a mildly increased risk of infection. What you notice though, is the pain associated with a popped blister, which is due to the exposed nerve endings on this deeper layer of skin.

Common accompanying symptoms of blisters

Blisters may be associated with these common symptoms:

• Pain and irritation
• Infection
• Skin sloughing
• Skin redness
• Itching

What causes a blister?

When you hear the word blister, the first thought you usually have is of a blister on your foot after soccer practice or after walking in uncomfortable shoes. While most blisters are simple in nature like those, some serious medical conditions are associated with skin blistering.

Dermatologic causes

Causes of blisters related to skin conditions may include the following.

• Dermatologic conditions: Various dermatologic conditions are associated with blistering of the skin.
• Trauma: Repetitive trauma of the skin, such as what might occur to your heel while walking in your favorite boots for miles, can lead to blistering as the repeated rubbing motion separates the layers of skin.

Environmental causes

Environmental causes may be related to certain exposures or lifestyle habits.

• Burns: Exposure to high temperatures causes the skin to blister. Blisters are characteristic of second-degree burns. The same may occur with exposure to extremely cold surfaces.
• Irritants and chemical exposure: Environmental irritants like poison ivy can cause immediate blistering-type allergic reactions which are itchy and uncomfortable. Chemicals may also react with the skin and form blisters.
• Drugs: Severe reactions can occur in response to some drugs, characterized by severe blistering and sloughing of the skin. These are extremely rare.

Autoimmune causes

Various autoimmune diseases can cause blistering of the skin. This blistering can range in severity from extremely mild to severe and deadly.

Metabolic causes

Metabolic causes can involve how your body processes nutrients.

• Tumors: Rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract can cause outbreaks of characteristic blisters and rash.
• Nutritional deficiencies: If you do not have sufficient stores of various nutrients it can cause skin blisters and rashes.

Infectious causes

Infections with herpes or chickenpox can cause blister formation.

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Blister treatments and relief

For the most part, blisters are easily managed at home. Most blisters are caused by just repetitive rubbing of the skin surface, such as the blisters you may get on your heels after a long walk. However, if you are experiencing blisters on a significant portion of your body without a clear cause, have severe burns, blisters after taking medication, or oral blisters, you should consider seeking medical attention.

At-home treatment

Various at-home remedies that may be helpful in caring for blisters include the following.

• Coverage: Try not to pop blisters if you have them. Popping blisters exposes the underlying deeper layers of skin and makes them more prone to infection. A loose overlay can help protect the fragile skin. If you do pop the blister, do not remove the overlying skin.
• Prevention: You can prevent blisters from shoes by using products such as Moleskin to protect vulnerable spots on your feet.
• Creams: For blisters caused by exposure to poison ivy and other irritants, anti-itch creams can be helpful in reducing scratching and subsequent infection risk.
• Cool water: For burns specifically, it is helpful to douse the exposed area in cool water directly after exposure to high temperatures.

FAQs about blister

Do blisters go away on their own?

The most common type of blister is an abrasion blister, usually brought about by some sort of strenuous rubbing of skin against an object. They can be caused by running in shoes that don't fit, doing a repetitive task like yard work for the first time without gloves, or even working out without proper hand protection. Blisters that come about in this way usually disappear and become less tender naturally with time. Blisters may also arise because of a rash or exposure. Burns from the sun or direct exposure to fire or steam often blister, rashes from exposure to toxins like poison ivy may blister, and chemical burns may also blister. If you have a rash from an unknown source that is blistering you should seek medical attention.

What do you do if you accidentally pop a blister?

There is not much to do aside from keeping the site of the popped blister clean and protected. You may notice a red and tender area under the skin of the blister. For your own comfort and to prevent infection, it can help to place a dry bandage over the popped blister and to change it one to two times per day, keeping it dry before changing it. But, in most cases, it will resolve on its own.

Can diabetes cause blisters on my body?

Yes, diabetes can cause blisters. This is called bullous disease of diabetes. The blisters caused by diabetes are under the skin and do not have a clear cause. They are often red and swollen and most commonly appear on the feet or legs. They commonly and spontaneously resolve over the course of a few weeks.

Can blisters spread to other parts of my body?

Yes, depending on the cause, blisters can spread and often do spread. Blisters caused by a sunburn, for example, will develop first in the area most intensely exposed to the sun. If you have received a sufficiently high dose of UV radiation, you may later develop blisters in other areas as well. Autoimmune disorders of the blood vessels or skin, infectious diseases, and exposure to certain plants and chemicals can all cause blisters to spread from one area of the body to another. Health professionals are trained to look at the distribution of a rash with blisters to determine its cause. If you have a spreading rash with blisters you should see a health professional for diagnosis.

Can blisters get infected?

Yes, blisters can get infected. The chance of infection is higher for larger blisters, but is present for any size of blister. Keys to ensuring that the blister does not get infected, is keeping any substance (e.g. dirt, oil, water, antibacterial gel) from getting caught under the dead skin overlying the blister. This can be done either by carefully removing the skin or by keeping the blister dry and covered during times when it might be exposed to some infectious material.