Katy area patients, “What are blisters and what causes them?”

Most everyone knows what it feels like to end up with a blister from a new pair of shoes. But what exactly is a blister? Blisters are raised areas of skin that are filled with a liquid. They are most common on the feet or hands and show up as a result of rubbing or pressure on the area.

What causes a blister to form?

Let’s take a blister formed by a pair of shoes as an example. While you are walking around your heel will continually rub up against the shoe. Eventually, the area will become swollen and irritated on the outside. On the inside of the skin, a tear is caused between the layers, leaving a gap. Your body’s response is then to send fluid to fill the gap and protect it.

Blisters generally occur more frequently in the hotter months of the year. This is because the skin is sweaty and moves around more.

What should I do when I get a blister?

As a general rule, you want to avoid puncturing or breaking the blister. The entire purpose of a blister is protection. The best thing to do is to cover it up with a bandage or gauze that will protect it but allow it to breathe.

If the blister is particularly painful or prevents you from being able to wear shoes, you may need to drain it. To safely drain a blister, begin by making sure your hands and the blister are thoroughly clean. Swab the area with rubbing alcohol to keep it clean and use a sterilized needle to gently break the skin in a few areas near the edge of the blister. Once it has drained, use antibiotic ointment on top of the blister and cover it with a bandage. Let it remain this way for a few days before cutting away the dead skin and applying a fresh bandage.

It is important to call the doctor if you see any signs of infections (redness, pain, warm skin, or pus). To try and avoid blisters, make sure your shoes fit properly. If you are in the Katy area and would like more information on properly caring for blisters, call us today at 281 771-0494.