Blisters are bubbles that form on the outer layers of your skin. They are filled with fluids like blood, pus, or serum. These bubbles are usually small. However, if they get irritated and don’t receive any treatment, they can grow bigger.
Blisters are very common in vigorously active populations. Although they can appear anywhere on the body, they usually pop up on the skin of your feet. Depending on their cause, blisters can itch and hurt.
These fluid-filled bubbles are essentially wounds that need time to heal. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to speed up the process.
This article will show you how to get rid of blisters easily in the comfort of your home.
What Causes Blisters?
There are many factors that can damage your skin and lead to the formation of these surprisingly common, puss-filled bubbles.
As a matter of fact, blisters are a very frequent topic of research. Studies have shown that blisters usually result from frictional forces that separate epidermal cells. These forces occur when the skin on the heel of your foot rubs against your shoe. They also occur whenever your skin rubs together, be it on your thighs or under your armpits. The space that is made between the epidermal cells is then filled with a fluid.
So, when do blisters exactly pop up?
Well, blisters usually appear after about 6 hours since the frictional forces have pressured the cells. That’s also when blister base cells begin to take amino acids.
A significantly high mitotic activity can be noticed after 24 hours, and after 48 to 120 hours, a new stratum granulosum (a very thin layer of cells) can become visible.
Moist skin only increases the power of frictional forces. However, in order for blisters to pop up, your skin has to be either very wet or very dry.
That’s why people usually get blisters after walking or playing sports for several hours straight. Wearing uncomfortable shoes only contributes to more friction, making blisters appear even faster.
As already mentioned, blisters can appear anywhere on the body, so why do they “love” appearing on hands and feet so much?
The reason for that is found in the thick layers of the skin that appear on hands and feet. They make a perfect environment for blisters to be formed.
Aside from friction, heat also contributes to the formation of blisters. Sunburns are well-known for creating small wounds on the surface of the skin.
There is also a number of medical conditions that lead to blisters, such as:
- Scabies
- Impetigo
- Cold Sores
- Herpes
- Chickenpox
How to Treat Blisters
Blisters require special treatment if they are caused by any of the previously mentioned medical conditions or spider bites. In that case, you should seek medical attention immediately.
On the other hand, regular, friction-related blisters can usually be treated at home. If you’re wondering how to get rid of blisters at home, here is what you can do.
Cover the Blister And Let It Be
Blisters usually disappear after only a few days. Since the affected area is healing on its own, all that you can do is let it be.
The liquid that is filling the bubble actually represents a natural form of protection. The liquids serve to protect the wound from infections caused by bacteria.
If your blister hasn’t popped, do not drain it. You can either leave the wound as it is or simply cover it with a bandage. Make sure that your bandages are loosely attached to the wound as you don’t want any unnecessary pressure on the blister.
On the other hand, if your blister has already popped, you should wash the wound with warm water and baby soap. After that, remove the remaining skin flap and cover the area with gauze.
You should change your bandages when they get wet or dirty.
Apply Natural Remedies
There are several natural remedies proven to be quite effective in healing blisters. Here are some of them.
1. Aloe Vera
Research shows that aloe vera gel can significantly reduce pain if your blister came from sunburn. It can also help you treat large wounds. All you need to do is apply the gel on the wounded area.
To add to the gel’s effect, keep the product inside the refrigerator. That way, the aloe vera gel will easily pull heat from your skin.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Applying tea tree oil directly to your wound will speed up the process of healing and lower the risk of infections.
3. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is found to be quite effective due to its antibacterial properties. You can mix eucalyptus oil with any type of carrier oil in order to get more benefits and faster results.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be used to heal the wound faster. It is advised that you mix green tea with carrier oils such as coconut or almond oils.
Apply the mixture directly to the wound and let it be.
Drain the Blisters
As already mentioned, blisters are usually small and go away pretty quickly. In that case, it is best to leave them alone or just cover them while they heal.
But what if your blister is large?
In that case, draining blisters could be beneficial. However, you must keep in mind that blisters on and around your mouth should never be drained.
Here are the necessary steps to ensure that you drain the blister without making your wound worse.
- Start by washing your hands and then wash the blister.
- Use a disinfected needle (simply drip the needle in alcohol in order to disinfect it).
- Make up to four holes around the edge of the blister with the disinfected needle.
- Use ointment to cover the area.
- Apply gauze and secure it with a bandage.
These exact steps should be repeated every 7 to 8 hours as blisters can fill up quickly.
Final Words
It is always best to make sure that the problem never appears in the first place. To prevent blisters from popping, you should choose comfortable shoes, apply moleskin on common blister areas, and wear work gloves.
If your time doesn’t allow you to pay that much attention to your skin, you now know how to get rid of blisters if they appear.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003428
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609378
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28452830
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8570998
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