Do dog blisters go away on their own
Can you safely pop a blister?
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The body naturally produces blisters to help cushion and heal damaged skin. It is usually best for a person to not pop a blister. However, if a blister is large or very painful, it may be necessary to drain it to reduce discomfort.
A blister is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the outer layer of the skin. Burns, friction, and certain skin conditions can cause blisters. Smaller blisters are called vesicles, and larger ones are called bulla.
In this article, we explain when the characteristics and cause of a blister may make it advisable for a person to pop it. We also provide tips for popping a blister safely and speeding up healing.
In most cases, blisters do not need treatment and will heal on their own within 12 weeks.
Keeping the blister intact will allow the skin underneath to heal more quickly. The blister provides cushioning and protects the damaged area from germs while new layers of skin develop underneath.
Whether it is safe or advisable to pop a blister depends on several factors, including what caused it.
Friction blister
Friction, or rubbing, can irritate the skin and cause a blister. Ill-fitting or tight shoes, for example, can rub the skin for a prolonged period, resulting in a blister forming.
This type of blister will usually heal on its own if a person keeps it clean and dry. Popping it will increase the likelihood of germs getting into the wound and causing an infection.
However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it may be advisable to drain a friction blister that is large or very painful to ease the discomfort.
Burns
Heat, electricity, and sunlight can burn the skin and lead to blistering. Chemical burns can also cause blisters.
Historically, doctors labeled burns as either first, second, or third degree. Now, they prefer to classify burns according to their depth. There are three main types of burn:
- Superficial burns, which are mild burns that affect the outer layer of skin. They do not typically cause blisters.
- Partial thickness burns, which affect the outer skin and some tissue in the deeper layers of skin. These burns may blister.
- Full thickness burns, which affect the deepest layers of skin.
Most household burns and sunburns are either superficial burns or minor partial thickness burns. There may be a small amount of blistering, and the area will look red and a little swollen. It will also be painful.
People should not pop a blister that occurs due to burning.
Read about treatments for burn blisters here.
Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is a common form of eczema that can cause itchy, dry skin and small, deep-seated blisters on the hands or feet. These blisters are usually itchy and painful.
Eczema is a long-term condition for which there is no cure, and the symptoms tend to come and go over time. Blisters can appear during a flare-up of symptoms, which stress or a rise in temperature can trigger.
These small blisters usually clear up in 23 weeks. They may burst on their own, but people should avoid popping them.
Viral infections
Certain viral infections can cause blisters. These include infections with the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles, and the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores or fever blisters.
Doctors will typically advise people to avoid scratching or breaking open chickenpox or shingles blisters as doing this can leave a scar. Instead, a person can try applying calamine lotion to the skin or adding baking soda or colloidal oatmeal to a cool bath to help reduce the itching.
Cold sores usually appear close to the mouth, often on or next to the lips. They may be in the form of a single blister or a cluster of blisters.
Cold sore blisters will usually go away by themselves in a week or two. It is important to avoid popping, scratching, or touching these blisters as this can spread the virus to other areas of skin, causing further outbreaks.
If a person does decide to pop a blister, they should do their best to prevent infection.
According to the AAD, a person can follow these steps to drain a blister properly:
- Sterilize a small, thin needle with rubbing alcohol or boiling water.
- Carefully pierce the blister at its edge and drain some fluid.
- Avoid removing the top of the blister.
- Clean the area well with soap and water.
- Cover it with a loose bandage.
Using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the needle does not always prevent infection. People who are prone to getting infections may wish to ask a doctor to drain the blister for them in a more sterile environment.
If a person suspects that a blister has become infected, they should speak to a doctor. Prescription antibiotic tablets or a topical ointment or cream can help.
Learn how to recognize and treat an infected blister here.
People can usually treat mild friction or burn blisters at home by covering the blister with a loose bandage and raising the middle of the dressing slightly to allow the blister to move.
If the blister is in an area where things might rub on or break it, it is best to apply padding around the blister. A person can cut the padding into a circular shape with a hole in the middle, place this around the blister, and then cover it with a bandage.
If a blister pops, a person can rub petroleum jelly around the area and cover the skin with a bandage until it heals.
The most important thing is to keep the area clean and dry. The person should change the dressing on burn or friction blisters frequently. If they can avoid popping the blister, that will also speed up the healing by helping prevent infection.
Blister pads, also called artificial blisters, can speed up healing by providing protective cushioning around the blister. These are available at drugstores and online.
Non-aspirin medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help ease the symptoms of chickenpox in children. Antiviral ointments that speed up the healing of cold sores are available in most drugstores.
Anyone who thinks that they may have shingles should speak to a doctor. Antiviral medications can only reduce the length of the illness if the person takes them within 3 days of the rash appearing. It is also important to use a cold sore cream as soon as possible once the blisters appear.
People can find all of these products in drugstores or choose from a range of options online:
Friction, heat, and certain health condition can cause blisters. These fluid filled sacs act as a barrier to germs and protect the wound while new skin forms underneath. If the barrier breaks for any reason including a person popping it bacteria can get in and cause an infection.
That is why, in most cases, it is best to avoid popping a blister. If a friction blister is large or very painful, a person may need to drain it to relieve discomfort. It is best to ask a doctor or dermatologist to perform this procedure. However, if this is not possible, a person should take care to use sterile tools, wash the area thoroughly, and keep the wound clean and dry.
Blister: Pop It or Leave It? How to Help Your Blisters Heal
Sunburn
A sunburn is inflammation (a reaction by your body's immune system) caused by too much UV (ultra-violet) radiation, which is part of the sunshine. While the symptoms eventually go away, the cells of the skin are permanently damaged, and over time, the risk of skin cancer is higher. Further, the damage reduces the skin's ability to repair itself, speeding up the formation of wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Although there is not much clinical evidence to support its effectiveness, moisturizers like aloe vera and oil-based lotions, creams, and ointments provide a protective layer on the damaged skin, speeding up healing. Cool compresses are also useful. Ibuprofen or other similar NSAIDs are effective in reducing inflammation and pain. Wearing sunscreen when going back out in the sun is also key to reducing further damage.
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox. Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on the face, it may affect vision or hearing.
You should go to a retail clinic or your primary care physician to be treated for shingles. Most common treatments involve pain killers and prescription antiviral medicines.
Partial thickness burn
A burn is called partial-thickness when there is damage to some of the lower layers of skin. This can cause blistering and pain, but is not generally dangerous if treated properly.
Run the burn under cool water for up to twenty minutes. Clean the area with soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. You should see a physician to determine the extent of the burn, and to get any prescription antibiotics or special wound dressings.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: burn, blistering burn, blanching burn, burn that is painful to touch
Symptoms that always occur with partial thickness burn: burn, blistering burn, burn that is painful to touch, blanching burn
Symptoms that never occur with partial thickness burn: open wound from burn
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Irritant contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis means a skin reaction that is caused by directly touching an irritating substance, and not by an infectious agent such as a bacteria or virus.
Common causes are soap, bleach, cleaning agents, chemicals, and even water. Almost any substance can cause it with prolonged exposure.
Contact dermatitis is not contagious.
Anyone who works with an irritating substance can contract the condition. Mechanics, beauticians, housekeepers, restaurant workers, and health care providers are all susceptible.
Symptoms include skin that feels swollen, stiff, and dry, and becomes cracked and blistered with painful open sores.
A medical provider can give the best advice on how to heal the skin and avoid further irritation. Self-treatment can make the problem worse if the wrong creams or ointments are used.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, to find out what substances the patient comes into contact with, and through physical examination of the damaged skin.
Treatment involves avoiding the irritating substance if possible. Otherwise, the person can use petroleum jelly on the hands underneath cotton and then rubber gloves.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: rash with well-defined border, itchy rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin, painful rash, red rash
Symptoms that always occur with irritant contact dermatitis: rash with well-defined border
Symptoms that never occur with irritant contact dermatitis: fever, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes, blue-colored skin changes
Urgency: Self-treatment
Friction blister on the hand
Friction blisters are very common and occur when fluid accumulates beneath the outer layer of the skin. Theyre caused by friction from carrying heavy objects or repetitive use.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: hand pain, blister on the hand, blister caused by friction, constant skin changes, rash with bumps or blisters
Symptoms that always occur with friction blister on the hand: blister caused by friction, blister on the hand
Urgency: Self-treatment
Chemical burn
Many types of chemicals can cause chemical burn to the skin, including strong acids and bases such as drain cleaner.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms:
Symptoms that never occur with chemical burn: open wound from burn
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Blistering disease (pemphigus)
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system attacks healthy cells in the skin and mouth, causing blisters and sores. This is a rare disease, and doctors are not completely sure of the cause.
You should visit your primary care physician. Pemphigus is a disease of the immune system, and is treated with prescription medication like corticosteroids.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: nasal ulcer, skin peeling, hoarse voice, painful rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac
Plants of the Toxicodendron genus are found throughout the continental United States, and exposure to these plants is a leading cause of contact dermititis, a medical term used to describe irritation and itching of the skin.
Firstly, to prevent allergic reaction to poison ivy from getting worse, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl can help with the swelling and itching. Topical corticosteroids applied directly to the rash can also help relieve some of your symptoms
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: rash, itchy rash, red rash, skin changes on arm, stinging or burning rash
Symptoms that always occur with allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac: itchy rash, rash
Symptoms that never occur with allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac: fever
Urgency: Self-treatment
