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Blisters are your body’s response to injury or pressure; it is a small sac of fluid that is formed on the upper layer of the skin. A size of a blister depends on the location and cause of it. Blisters on the feet are quite common. Shoes that are ill fitting or that induce friction can damage the skin. Your body creates a blister to avoid the area being damaged further, as it heals. Blisters can be a raised lump filled with clear liquid or sometimes the lump could also be filled with blood. A blood blister is mostly caused by a severe pinch or bruises to that area which results in breaking of tiny blood vessels (capillaries)

Blisters can be caused by various other reasons as well like, scalds or burns, bad sunburn, allergic reaction to irritants, viral skin infections, poison ivy, chicken pox, and or fungal skin infections. Blisters on the hands can also be due to hand-foot-mouth disease. This condition is caused by infection with Coxsackie virus. It is a contagious disorder that develops blisters on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, the blisters are small and painful with white centers and red borders. The hand-foot-mouth disease usually goes away within three to seven days. Blisters usually don’t require medical attention and can be cared for by using natural remedies. You should, however, consult a doctor if the skin blisters are recurrent, severe, caused by burns or indication of an underlying infection.

Some home remedies for blisters are:

• Application of Vaseline: For blisters on the feet, before you put on your shoes, apply some Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the blister to prevent friction.
• Sprinkling Powder: Dab a bit of baby powder on your feet to avoid getting blisters.
• Salt Water Bath: Wash the blistered area on the hands and feet with warm salt water to rid it of dirt and other objects.
• Cold Compress: To soothe the blisters, mix salt with cold water, roll a small towel, dip it in the mixture and compress it gently on the affected areas.
• Washing of the Hands: Before touching your blister, always wash your hands with soap and water to avoid infecting the area with possible germs or dirt.
• Applying a Bandage: Loosely apply a bandage or gauze on the blistered area. Do not wrap the bandage completely over the hand or foot as it might cut off blood supply to the area. Make sure the tape that secures the bandage does not touch the blister. Change the bandage everyday and any time it gets wet or dirty, to make the removal less painful, soak your bandaged foot in cool water just removing the dressing,
• Applying an Antibiotic Ointment: Application of antibiotic ointments like Polymyxin B and Bacitracin, you are not allergic to it, can help in healing the blister. It also avoids the bandage sticking to the blister. Do not use alcohol or iodine as they delay healing.
• Cold Water Treatment: To relieve itchiness of the blisters, soak a towel in ice water and place it on the blistered area.
• Wearing Moisture-Wicking Socks: These socks will help draw the sweat away from your feet. If you wear normal socks, change them twice a day if you have sweaty feet. Wet or moist socks tend to cause friction and rubbing.

You should consult a doctor if the blister is caused by burns or scalds, if it starts oozing pus (yellow, green, brownish), if the area becomes inflamed or swollen and/or if a skin infection develops.

Reference

1. http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/index.html

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.