How to Care for a Broken Blister

Blisters emerge when the top layer of skin (epidermis) separates from the lower layers of skin. This is usually caused by friction or heat, but some skin diseases or other medical conditions also cause blisters. The water in between the layers of skin is called the serum, which causes the blistering to appear. ^{[1] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source} A blister heals quickly before it has burst or oozes because the outer layer of skin can prevent bacteria from entering the wound and is resistant to infection. inflammation. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} However, sometimes blisters pop on their own. A punctured or torn blister is unsightly and painful and requires careful care to avoid infection. Even so, there are a few simple steps you can take to take care of a broken blister and then follow up to make sure it heals.

Table of Contents

Blister treatment

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Wash hands thoroughly. Use mild soap and warm water to wash your hands before touching the blister. You should wash your hands for about 15-20 seconds.

This will help prevent bacteria, which can cause infection in the blister.

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Wash blisters with mild soap and water. Do not rub the blister to avoid tearing the skin. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Do not use alcohol, iodine or hydrogen peroxide as these can irritate the skin. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Let the blister dry. Let dry naturally if possible or pat gently with a towel. Do not rub the blister with a towel as it can tear the skin. ^{[5] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

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Do not touch the bulging skin. The skin above the blister will peel off but helps protect the skin underneath while it heals. If possible, leave the skin alone and wait for the skin underneath to heal. ^{[6] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}^{[7] X Research Source}

If the blister breaks or has dirt under the skin, you need to clean it to avoid infection, making the blister bigger and damaging the young skin underneath.
First, wash the area around the blister. Then, sterilize a small pair of scissors (manicure scissors or medical scissors are fine) with rubbing alcohol. Alternatively, you can also sterilize the scissors by placing them in boiling water for 20 minutes or heating them over high heat until the scissors turn red and then let them cool. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
Carefully cut to remove the dead skin. Do not cut too close to the young skin. It’s best to leave some skin behind rather than make more damage. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Apply an antibacterial ointment or cream to the blistered area. This will help prevent infection and prevent the blisters from breaking. ^{[10] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Common antibacterial ointments or creams at the pharmacy are Neosporin and “triple antibiotic ointment,” both of which contain neomycin, ppymyxin, and bacitracin. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Apply a bandage over the blister. For small blisters, a regular bandage is fine, but for large blisters, you’ll need non-adhesive gauze with medical tape. ^{[12] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Remember to use bandages and non-stick gauze for open blisters. Regular gauze will stick to the skin!
Hydrocploid bandages will help the wound heal. ^{[13] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}^{[14] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source} This patch will stick to the skin but not to the blister. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Use a special bandage on blisters that are new or painful. If the skin on the blister has peeled off, or if the blister is on your leg or other sensitive area, you’ll need to use a special bandage designed specifically for the blister.

There are many types of patches with special sponges, mainly for sensitive skin.
You can also use mpeskin patches for blisters. Mpeskin is a kind of patch made of soft material. Cut 2 pieces of mpeskin slightly larger than your blister. Take a circle-shaped cut of the same size as the blister. Stick the cut piece over the blister, placing the “breathable” area right where the blister is. Then glue the remaining pieces on. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Liquid bandages should be avoided. This is better suited for cuts or lacerations and will often cause irritation or inflammation if used on blisters. ^{[17] X Research Source}
If in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor for specific advice.

Caring for a Broken Blister

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Change the patch on the blister frequently. It’s best to change the patch every day or any time it becomes wet or dirty. Each time you change the patch, gently clean the blister and apply an antibiotic ointment. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Continue using the patch until the blister is completely healed.

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Treat the itching sensation as the blister heals. Often a blister will itch as it heals, especially as it dries, but it’s important not to scratch to avoid further damage. Keeping the blister cool and dry is one way to reduce itching. Wet a clean washcloth in ice water and apply to the healing area or soak in a cold bath. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Remember to wash the blistered area, then apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a patch.
If the skin around the patch becomes red, rough, or itchy, you may be allergic to the adhesive on the tape (or to the tape). Choose a different type, or sterile nonstick gauze and medical tape. You can apply 1% hydrocortisone ointment to the irritated skin around the blister to relieve itching, but do not apply it to the blister.

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Remove the peeled skin after the wound is no longer painful. When the skin below the blister has gradually healed and is not tender, you can remove the skin with clean, sterilized scissors. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

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Watch for signs of infection. Broken blisters are very contagious, so take good care of them while they heal. If you notice signs of infection or if the blister doesn’t heal within a few days, see your doctor. Signs of infection include:

The pain increases around the blister.
The blister is swollen, red, or burning.
Red streaks appear on the skin due to the influence of blisters, this is a sign of blood poisoning.
Pus oozes from the blister.
Fever

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Get medical attention for blisters. Many blisters will heal naturally over time. However, there are some cases where you should see your doctor to have a blister checked as soon as possible. You should see a doctor promptly if your blister falls under the following circumstances: ^{[21] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Have an infection (see the steps above for signs of infection)
Cause a lot of pain
Blisters return
Appears in an unusual place such as inside the mouth or on the eyelids
Occurs due to heat, including sunburn or burns.
Due to an allergic reaction (For example, insect bites)

Prevent blisters from appearing

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Wear comfortable shoes. Friction is a common cause of blisters, especially on the feet. Wearing shoes that fit your feet will help reduce the chances of blisters appearing. ^{[22] X Research Source}

You can also use mpeskin patches or special patches to prevent blisters on the inside of the heel where rubbing is common. ^{[23] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Wear thick socks to prevent blisters on your feet. ^{[24] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to the source} Hygroscopic socks are the best option because blisters often appear when the skin is damp. ^{[25] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}^{[26] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

You can also protect your feet by wearing long socks if regular socks aren’t an option for your outfit.

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Keep skin dry. Blisters usually appear on damp skin. You can find gels or lotions that help prevent friction on areas prone to blisters. This product can keep the skin dry and avoid rubbing.

Try using talc-free baby powder or foot powder to sprinkle on shoes and socks. Avoid using talcum powder as some studies suggest it can cause cancer. Some powders also have the ability to deodorize. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
You can also try a shoe spray to reduce sweating. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

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Wear gloves. Wearing gloves especially when doing manual labor such as manufacturing, planting or construction will help prevent blisters from appearing on the hands. ^{[29] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Gloves should be worn when participating in activities such as weightlifting, which can cause blisters to appear on your hands.

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Smart exposure to the sun. Severe sunburn can also cause blisters. Protect yourself by wearing appropriate clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. ^{[30] X Research Source}

Blistering is a sign of a 2nd degree sunburn ^{. [31] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to the source} It will take 10-21 days to heal. ^{[32] X Research Source}

Steps

Blister treatment

Caring for a Broken Blister

Prevent blisters from appearing

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