Illness & Symptoms

When to Call for Blisters

Care Advice

Treatment of Normal Friction Blister

What You Should Know - Friction Blister:

• A friction blister is a raised pocket of clear fluid, covered by skin.
• Most blisters should not be opened. Reason: it increases the risk of infection.
• However, large or severely painful blisters often need to be drained. This is done by poking a small hole in the blister with a needle. (see Severe Pain - Drain the Blister below)
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Protect the Blister:

• Goal: protect the blister from any more rubbing.
• Surround it with a "donut" made from moleskin. Ask for this product at your drug store.
• Using scissors, cut a moleskin piece to a shape larger than the blister.
• Next cut a hole the size of the blister in the center. Do this by folding the moleskin in half and cut along the fold.
• Remove the covering from the sticky side. Then, put the moleskin on with the blister in the center.
• If the blister is taller than the moleskin, add one more layer of moleskin.
• Hold the "donut" in place with a large strip of duct tape.
• Other option. If you don't have moleskin, use a bandage. Fold it and cut the center out to the size of the blister.
• For foot blisters, also switch to shoes that don't rub the blister.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
• Use as needed.

Severe Pain - Drain the Blister:

• Draining a large blister can help make the pain go away.
• Wash the skin with warm water and soap.
• Clean a needle or straight pin with rubbing alcohol.
• Gently press the fluid to one side of the blister to create a bulge.
• Pass the needle sideways through the fluid making 2 puncture holes. Gently wiggle the needle to make the holes larger.
• Remove the needle.
• Press the fluid out through the holes.
• Leave the roof of the blister in place to protect the raw skin underneath.
• Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on twice per day after cleansing.
• Cover the drained blister with a bandage.

Broken Blister Treatment:

• If the blister breaks open, let it drain.
• Leave the roof of the blister in place to protect the raw skin underneath.
• If there are any loose flaps of skin, trim them with a fine scissors.
• Wash it with warm water and soap.
• Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on twice a day.
• Cover it with a bandage.

What to Expect:

• Most often, they dry up and peel off without any treatment.
• This may take 1 to 2 weeks.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Blister looks infected
• Severe pain and you want your child's doctor to drain the blister
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Treatment of Normal Blood Blister

What You Should Know - Blood Blister:

• A blood blister can happen when the skin gets pinched. Examples are a finger caught in a hinge or a closing door.
• It forms a tiny pocket of bloody fluid covered by skin. It is dark red or purple in color.
• A blood blister is not harmful.
• No treatment is needed. You do not need to drain it.
• It will slowly dry up and peel off over 1-2 weeks.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
• Use as needed.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Prevention of Foot Blisters

Prevention - General:

• Shoes. Buy shoes that fit. Do not wear shoes that are too tight or too loose. New hiking boots are often somewhat stiff. It is wise to first wear them around the house and on short walks. Wear them in before wearing them on a long hike.
• Socks. Do not use cotton socks. They tend to stay damp when wearing. Instead use synthetic (acrylic) or wool socks. Some people prefer to wear two socks at a time. You can wear a thin inner liner ('wicking') sock and a thicker outer sock.
• Lubricants. If your child often gets blisters at the same spot, use a lubricant. You can use petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Cover the area with a small amount of the lubricant before sports. This will help to reduce friction on the spot.
• Callus. If blisters usually occur under a callus, file the callus down. Then, lubricate it. This way it won't add to the friction.
• Taping Pressure Points. If a lubricant doesn't stop blisters, taping is the next step. Taping is a very good way to treat hot spots for friction blisters. Many hikers and runners use taping. Follow the instructions listed down below.

Prevention - Taping:

• Option 1 - Moleskin
• You can get moleskin at your drug store. It is a good way to stop friction blisters. Here are some instructions on how to use moleskin.
• Using scissors, cut the moleskin to a shape slightly larger than the pressure point.
• Remove the backing from the moleskin. Put it on the pressure point. Smooth it from the center outward so that there are no wrinkles.
• Put on a clean and dry sock.
• Option 2 - Taping with Duct Tape
• Duct tape is available at your hardware store. It is also good at stopping friction blisters. Many hikers and runners use it. Here are some instructions on how to use duct tape.
• Using scissors, cut out a piece of duct tape into a shape slightly larger than the pressure point.
• Apply the piece of duct tape to the pressure point. Smooth it from the center outward so that there are no wrinkles.
• Put on a clean and dry sock.

Prevention - Toughening the Skin:

• This mainly applies to walkers, hikers, and runners.
• Slowly add to the distance you hike or run over days to weeks. This will increase the toughness of the skin. It will lower the risk of blisters forming.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You have other questions or concerns

Prevention of Hand Blisters

Prevention:

• Gloves. Wear heavy-duty work gloves when working with the hands. Also, use gloves when working with tools. Examples are shovels, picks, and rakes. Sports gloves can be used for rowing, paddling, weight lifting or cycling.
• Lubricants. Lower friction at pressure points by covering them with a lubricant. You can use petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline).

Call Your Doctor If:

• You have other questions or concerns

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.