Various Home Remedies for Blisters

How to treat a blister? Here is a list of home remedies for blisters such as blood blister, foot blisters, burn blister and all other skin blisters. Included are blister care and blister prevention tips.

A blister is a vesicle or a bubble-like small growth on your skin. It is usually filled with clear fluid and is normally known as a water blister. The colorless liquid is not water but serum. Serum is blood plasma without a protein called fibrinogen and other clotting agents.

A blister that looks reddish is filled with blood. This type of blister is called a blood blister. It is formed when small blood vessels are damaged and the blood leaked out but cannot escape. It then fills the vesicle. Minor injuries, pinched skin, excessive friction and crushed skin are some of the causes of blood blisters.

If you notice yellowish fluid or pus inside a blister, it may indicate that there is an infection.

Athletes, hikers and people who work in the military and do a lot of road marching are at higher risk of foot blisters. The blisters on the feet occur because of the constant friction and rubbing of the socks and feet especially if your feet are sweaty. Wearing a new but tight or ill-fitting pair of shoes may also cause friction blisters including heel blisters and toe blisters. Continuous walking or running with a gravel or sand inside the shoes or socks is another one of water blister causes.

A minor burn of the first degree or second degree will cause a burn blister. A minor burn is classified as a burn that covers an area of not more than 3 inches, whether it only burns the outer layer of the skin or known as first degree or both the outer layer and second layer or called second degree burn. Some of the common causes of burn blisters are contact with a hot object, overexposure to the sun causing sunburn blisters, drinking hot beverage or food which can cause tongue blisters, mouth blisters or blisters in throat.

Poison ivy blisters is caused when the oil or sap of poison ivy touches and then penetrates your skin. The blisters are accompanied by intense itching and may take many days to heal if untreated.

See a doctor instead of trying these home remedies for blisters if you notice the following:

1. Rash with blisters on hands and blisters on the tongue and inside the cheeks may indicate hand foot and mouth disease. It is a contagious viral infection which is common among young children.
   
   
   
2. Tingling sensation a day or two followed by lip blisters are symptoms of fever blisters or cold sores which is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1.
   
   
   
3. If you notice vaginal blisters, you may have to see a doctor and check if you have vulvitis or inflammation of the vulva.
   
   
   
4. If your sunburn blisters are severe, you must consult a doctor

Blisters including blood blisters normally will heal naturally except if you keep putting pressure on them. Try these home remedies for blisters and blister care tips if the blister is broken, painful or if you have to puncture it to drain the fluid.

1. Do not puncture to drain the fluid. Avoid activities or using things or tools that cause the blister to allow it to heal.
   
   
   
2. If it is broken or if you can't avoid rubbing it against something, one of the home remedies for blisters is to cover it with a band aid. Use a porous plastic coated gauze pad to cover a cluster of blisters. Place the bandage or Elastoplasts loosely to allow air circulation.
   
   
   
3. Apply waterproof and breathable adhesive gels for pain relief especially if the blisters are between your toes.
   
   
   
4. One of the home remedies for blisters is to use herbal extracts such as aloe vera gel, tea tree oil and green tea. Apply aloe vera gel on a broken blister to soothe the pain and to moisturize the skin. Soaking your foot in cold green tea may help soothe the pain and also prevent inflammation. You can also soak in water mixed with tea tree oil or dab diluted tea tree to dry the blisters as it has astringent properties.
   
   
   
5. You can read various home remedies for blisters caused by insect bites such as spiders, mosquitoes and red fire ants on the bites and stings page.
   
   
   
6. If mouth blisters are formed due to canker sores, you can try the home remedies for mouth ulcers on this page. There are also tips on how to prevent it.
   
   
   
7. Wear a different pair of shoes that is comfortable and place a moleskin pad.

If you have to drain the fluid, make sure that you wash or soak the skin that is affected with antibacterial soap and warm water. Use a sterilized sharp needle to puncture the blister and press the fluid gently with gauze leaving the skin intact. Apply an antibiotic cream or gentian violet. Clean daily and apply aloe vera gel, lotion that contains calendula, lavender or tea tree oil until the blister heals.

Preventing Blisters

1. Use gloves to avoid friction blisters for activities that you need to use tools.
   
   
   
2. Wear socks with extra padding or use blister control sock.
   
   
   
3. Attach moleskin inside your shoes especially at the heels.
   
   
   
4. Wear the right shoe size and use shoes that have cushioned insoles.
   
   
   
5. Remove your shoes or boots at intervals to air your feet and dry the sweat. Change your socks and apply petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel.
   
   
   
6. To avoid sunburn blisters, read through these sun safety tips.

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