What are blisters? How to prevent blisters

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Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 16 Aug 2013 - 14:00 PDT Current ratings for:
What are blisters? How to prevent blisters

Blisters are small pockets of liquid that form on the outer layer of the skin after the skin becomes damaged (usually caused by forceful rubbing or burning).

Blisters prevent the area from becoming further damaged by protecting the skin underneath and giving it adequate time to heal.

Blisters are filled with serum, which is essentially blood plasma without fibrinogens (the red blood cells and clotting agents are removed). However, some blisters may be filled with blood (blood blisters) - if they become infected or inflamed they can also be filled with pus.

A blister can form on any part of the body, but the most common parts are the feet and hands.

Friction blisters are more likely to develop in skin areas with a thick horny layer held tightly to the underlying structures, such as the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands.

There are a number of different reasons why blisters develop. After the skin has become damaged fluid builds up between the the upper layer of the skin and the layers below. Some of the most common causes of blisters are listed below:

Blisters on feet caused by running without shoes.Friction or rubbing on the skin - intense friction or rubbing on the skin can result in the formation of a blister if it continues for long enough.

This typically occurs after a long walk or by wearing improper shoes - they more easily develop if the skin is wet or moist. These blisters can eventually lead to more serious complications such as infection.

Exposure to chemicals - when the skin comes in contact with chemicals found in detergents and solvents blisters can develop. This is also called contact dermatitis. Exposure to certain blister agents, such as mustard gas, can lead to severe and large blisters.
High temperatures - extreme temperatures can cause first and second degree burns. Blisters that arise from second degree burns typically manifest themselves almost immediately after the skin becomes damaged, whereas those that develop because of first degree burns tend to appear a couple of days after the skin damage.
Medical conditions - the most common are herpes, impetigo, dyshidrosis, and chickenpox.

Other conditions include: bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, chronic bullous dermatosis, cutaneous radiation syndrome, and epidermolysis bullosa.

There are many ways to prevent blisters from developing in the first place.

Wearing comfortable shoes and using socks that can manage moisture can prevent blisters from developing on the feet, particularly among those who sweat a lot - sport socks help keep the feet dry.

Using a protective layer of padding and using a friction management patch applied to shoes also help prevent blisters.

Talcum powder can be applied on the skin to reduce the friction from gloves and shoes.

You can protect yourself from blisters caused by chemicals by wearing gloves.

Blisters caused by sunburn can be prevented if you apply a good sunscreen, wear protective clothing (including a hat), and limit your exposure.

Researchers from the US Army Research Laboratory, Maryland, reported in the journal Sports Medicine1 that:

Antiperspirants with emollients and drying powders applied to the feet do not reduce the risk of developing friction blisters.
Closed cell neoprene insoles may reduce the incidence of foot blisters in runners.
Runners who wear foot socks made of acrylic tend to have fewer blisters.
"A thin polyester sock, combined with a thick wool or polypropylene sock that maintains its bulk when exposed to sweat and compression reduces blister incidence in Marine recruits."
After sun lotion can ease discomfort of burns

If the pain is not unbearable, leave the blister alone, do not try to burst it. A layer of padding filled with liquid over damaged skin allows it to repair itself.

The blister cushions the affected skin and protects it from infection.

Although most blisters will heal naturally over time, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms of the pain:

Cover the blisters with a plaster, gauze pad or dressingHydrocolloid dressings can prevent discomfortApply an ice pack to the affected area right after the injury in order to relieve the pain. Do not apply ice directly onto the skinIn the case of burns use moisturizing and after-sun or calamine lotions to ease the discomfort.

According to the National Health Service2, UK, you should not peel off the dead skin on top of the blister if it bursts.

Let the fluid inside the blister drain. Then cover it with a dry, sterile dressing. Hydrocolloid dressings, which can be bought OTC (over the counter) in pharmacies, help protect the burst blister from infection.

If the top layer of dead skin has already rubbed off the burst blister, do not try and peel any of the remaining skin.

Written by Joseph Nordqvist

Copyright: Medical News Today
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