Difference between revisions of "Care for a Burst Blister"

Blisters occur when the upper layer of your skin (the epidermis) detaches from the lower layers of skin. This is often due to friction or heat, although some skin conditions or other medical ailments can cause blisters too. The space between the skin layers fills with a fluid called serum, creating the water-balloon effect of a blister.<ref name="rf1">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blisters/Pages/Causes.aspx</ref> Blisters heal best when they are not burst or drained, because the layer of unbroken skin may help keep bacteria out of the wound and prevent infection.<ref name="rf2">http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-blisters/basics/art-20056691</ref> Unfortunately, sometimes blisters burst regardless. A blister that has popped, burst, or torn open can be messy and painful and requires some extra care to prevent infection. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to initially care for your burst blister and then monitor it to make sure it heals up properly.   

#Wash the area thoroughly with gentle soap and water. Don’t scrub the blister; this could tear the skin further.<ref name="rf2" />

#* Do not use alcohol, iodine, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can irritate the exposed skin.<ref name="rf3">http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/broken-blisters-home-treatment-topic-overview</ref>

#Allow the blister to dry.  Let it air dry, if possible, or blot gently with a towel. Don’t ''rub'' the blister area with a towel, as this could tear the skin.<ref name="rf4">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blisters/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref>

#Leave the skin flap intact. The skin flap that formed the top of the blister may eventually come off, but will still help protect the raw skin underneath while it heals.  If possible, leave it intact, and smooth it down over the raw skin underneath.<ref name="rf4" /><ref name="rf5">http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Blisters</ref>

#* First, wash the area thoroughly. Then, disinfect a pair of small scissors (nail or first aid scissors work best for this) using rubbing alcohol. (You can also sterilize scissors by placing them in boiling water for 20 minutes, or holding them over an open flame until the metal turns red, and then letting them cool.)<ref name="rf6">http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2014/01/13/sterilize/</ref>

#* Carefully clip away the dead skin. Don't clip too close to the healthy skin.  It is better to leave a bit of excess than risk further injury to your skin.<ref name="rf7">http://www.sportsmd.com/foot-ankle-injuries/proper-care-management-blisters/</ref>

#Apply an antibacterial ointment or cream to the area.  This will help prevent infection, which is the biggest risk with burst blisters.<ref name="rf4" />

#* Common over-the-counter antibacterial ointments and creams include Neosporin and “triple antibiotic ointment,” both of which contain neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin.<ref name="rf8">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601098.html</ref>

#Apply a clean bandage over the blister. For smaller blisters, a regular bandage should work fine, but for larger blisters, you may need to use a nonstick gauze pad held in place with first aid tape.<ref name="rf4" />

#*Hydrocolloid bandages may help accelerate healing.<ref name="rf4" /><ref name="rf9">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3555355</ref> They will adhere to skin, but not to the blister.<ref name="rf10">http://woundcareadvisor.com/apple-bites_vol2_no3/</ref>

#*You can also use moleskin on blisters. Moleskin is a soft, felt-like substance that often has an adhesive backing. Cut two pieces of moleskin slightly larger than your blister. Cut a circle roughly the size of your blister in one of the pieces. Apply this piece over the blister, positioning it so that the “window” is directly over the blister. Apply the second piece of moleskin on top of the first.<ref name="rf7" />  

#*Resist the urge to use a liquid bandage like New-Skin. These are more suited to cuts or lacerations, and could cause further irritation or infection if used on a blister.<ref name="rf11">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000497.htm</ref>

#Change the bandage on your blister frequently. You should change the bandage daily, or anytime it becomes wet or soiled.  Each time you change the bandage, gently wash and dry the area, and reapply antibiotic ointment to the site.<ref name="rf12">http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/blisters-home-treatment</ref>

#Manage itching caused by a healing blister.  It is common for a blister to itch as it heals, especially if it is allowed to dry out, but it is important not to scratch it and risk further skin damage.  Keeping the area cool and wet is one way to decrease itching.  Soak a clean cloth in ice water, and apply it to the site, or soak the area in a tub of cool water.<ref name="rf12" />

#Remove the skin flap once the wound is no longer sore.  Once the skin underneath the blister has had a chance to heal and is no longer tender, you can safely trim away the skin flap over it using a pair of clean, sanitized scissors.<ref name="rf7" />

#Seek medical attention for blisters. Many blisters will heal naturally on their own, given a little time. However, there are some cases in which you should see your doctor for a blister as soon as possible. You should seek prompt medical attention if your blisters:<ref name="rf4" />

#Wear shoes that fit. Friction is a very common cause of blisters, especially on the feet. Wearing properly fitted shoes will help reduce your likelihood of developing blisters on your feet.<ref name="rf5" />

#* You can also attach moleskin or special blister prevention tape to the inside of your shoes’ heels, where rubbing often occurs.<ref name="rf2" />

#Wear thick socks to protect feet from blisters.<ref name="rf13">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blisters/Pages/Prevention.aspx</ref> Moisture-wicking socks are a particularly good choice, as blisters are more likely to develop when your skin is damp.<ref name="rf2" /><ref name="rf13" />

#* Try dusting the insides of your shoes and socks with a talc-free baby or foot powder. Avoid talcum powder, since some studies, show it may be a carcinogen. Some powders also have odor-killing agents in them.<ref name="rf2" />  

#* You can also try a foot spray to help reduce sweating.<ref name="rf5" />

#Wear gloves. Wearing gloves, especially during manual labor such as manufacturing, gardening, or construction, will help prevent the development of blisters on your hands.<ref name="rf2" />

#Stay sun-smart. Severe sunburns can also cause blisters. Protect yourself in the sun by wearing protective clothing, hats, and [[Apply Sunscreen|sunscreen lotion]].<ref name="rf5" />

#* Blistering is a sign of second-degree sunburn.<ref name="rf14">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/for-kids/about-skin/skin-cancer/treating-sunburn</ref> It can take 10-21 days to heal.<ref name="rf15">http://hospitals.unm.edu/burn/classification.shtml</ref>