Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesPreventionWhen to See a Provider
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Table of Contents
Causes
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Blisters can be round or oval and filled with clear or bloody liquid, with skin around the blister that’s red, warm, and tender to the touch. Most blisters heal on their own in a few days to a week, but blisters on the feet pose a greater risk of breaking open, which can lead to infection.
Gajus / Getty Images
Friction
Wearing new, poorly-fitting, or loosely tied shoes or shoes without socks can cause them to rub against the skin.Spending several hours a day on your feet or walking or running long distances can also contribute to friction blisters.
Some foot conditions cause bumps on your feet that can lead to friction blisters. They include:
Friction blisters occur from repeated rubbing against the skin, and you can typically feel one forming. It causes the upper layer of skin to separate from the layers underneath. Fluid collects under the damaged skin, to cushion against further damage and promote healing.
Treatment
Most friction blisters heal on their own in about a week, provided you don’t reinjure them. These tips can help ensure that a blister heals:
Is It Better to Pop a Blister or Leave It?Friction blisters should be allowed to heal on their own. If blisters pop on their own, cover with a bandage to prevent bacterial infection at the site. However, a large, painful blister may require draining to reduce discomfort. To do this, sterilize a small needle using rubbing alcohol, then carefully pierce one edge of the blister. This will relieve the pressure as the fluid drains.
Is It Better to Pop a Blister or Leave It?
Friction blisters should be allowed to heal on their own. If blisters pop on their own, cover with a bandage to prevent bacterial infection at the site. However, a large, painful blister may require draining to reduce discomfort. To do this, sterilize a small needle using rubbing alcohol, then carefully pierce one edge of the blister. This will relieve the pressure as the fluid drains.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoAlvaro Moreno Perez / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Alvaro Moreno Perez / Getty Images
Excessive Foot Moisture
Excessive moisture can clog the pores on your feet, which can lead to the formation of blisters between the toes and anywhere moisture builds up. Blisters of these sorts are common in runners due to the accumulation of sweat in their shoes and socks.
There are several things you can do to prevent the build-up of foot moisture:
When blisters form due to excess moisture, they can become more susceptible to infection. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent this.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoElen11 / Getty Images
Elen11 / Getty Images
Sunburn
Sunburn blisters can be extremely painful and may develop quickly based on your skin type, season, geographic location, and time of day you are in the sun. People often get these blisters when they fall asleep in the sun.
Sunburn blisters usually heal on their own, but you can help speed your recovery in several ways:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoCherriesJD / Getty Images
CherriesJD / Getty Images
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when cold exposure, or sometimes strong wind, leads to skin damage.Skin that’s not covered, like your face and hands, can be affected first, but so are the feet and other areas away from your body’s core.
Frostbite is generally categorized into four grades of injury. Blisters occur with grade 2 exposure, and can become blood-filled in grade 3 exposure.
Treatment for frostbite will depend on the severity of the injury. Rewarming with water, often using a whirlpool, remains the standard of care.Blisters can be treated once rewarming has occurred.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitisis a type of rash that occurs when you come into contact with an allergy-causing substance, known as anallergen. The rash can develop within minutes to hours of exposure and last up to four weeks in some cases. Tiny blisters are common.
The best way to prevent allergic contact dermatitis is to avoid known allergens. If contact does occur, you can usetopical corticosteroids(steroids) to reduce inflammation and itching. Severe cases may need oral steroids like prednisone.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisis anautoimmune diseasethat causes itchy and scaly red patches on the skin. Although the patches are most common on the knees, elbows, torso, and scalp, they can also develop on thehands and feet.
Psoriasis occurs because theimmune systemis overactive and speeds up skin cell growth. This causes cells to accumulate faster than they can be shed, causing thick, flaky areas of skin called plaques. Tiny blisters can form as fluids beneath the skin start to pool.
A rare form of psoriasis, known aspustular psoriasis, can cause white or yellow blisters filled with pus. When it affects the feet, it is called palmoplantar pustular psoriasis.
The following medications and therapies can help reduce the symptoms and discomfort of foot psoriasis:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Althoughdyshidrotic eczematypically affects the hands, it can also cause blisters on the soles of the feet. The outbreak of blisters, which resembles tapioca pudding, can flare up suddenly and resolve just as quickly. Young adults are most commonly affected.
Mild cases may be managed with topical corticosteroids. If your condition is severe, oral steroids or asteroid shotmay be preferred.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoiStockVadim / Getty Images
iStockVadim / Getty Images
Infections
Some viral infections can cause blisters on the skin. They include:
Povorozniuk Liudmyla / Getty Images
Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis
People who wear closed-toe shoes in hot, humid environments are more susceptible to this type of athlete’s foot. Other risk factors includeobesity, aweakened immune system, and residing in a long-term care facility.
Vesiculobullous tinea pedis, like any other form of athlete’s foot, is managed withtopical antifungal medications. They are applied to the skin once or twice daily for between two and four weeks, but recurrence is common. Over-the-counter products are available.
Photo © CMSP - Custom Medical Stock Photo
Insect Bites
Insect bites are incredibly common and, depending on the type, can cause rash, itching, pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. Spider bites especially are known to cause a tiny but sometimes painful blister at the site of the injury. Fire ants and ticks can do the same.
Insect bites usually clear on their own, but there are things you can do to help ease the discomfort:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoMiguel Sotomayor / Getty Images
Miguel Sotomayor / Getty Images
Stasis Dermatitis
Stasis dermatitisoccurs when there is poor blood circulation in the lower legs. The condition develops when valves in a vein are too weak to push blood toward the heart.
Symptoms of stasis dermatitis can include:
If oozing blisters are left alone, they can sometimes turn into ulcers and leave behind unsightly scars.
Compression sockscan help improve circulation and prevent the pooling of blood in your legs.
Your healthcare provider may also advise you to do the following:
Laser therapycan be used to unblock obstructions in veins that impede blood flow. Your healthcare provider may also recommend foam sclerotherapy, which is a procedure where a foam substance is injected into damaged veins to redirect blood flow to healthier veins.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex
Epidermolysis bullosasimplexis a genetic disorder in which any minor injury or friction can cause the skin to blister. Mild cases affect the hands and feet, but severe cases can cause blisters to form all over the body, increasing the risk of infection and dehydration.
Over time, the condition can also cause the skin on the hands and feet to become hard and thick.
Management of epidermolysis bullosa simplex is focused on protecting the skin from any friction or injury.
Your healthcare provider may also advise the following:
To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters:
When breaking in new shoes, wear thick socks and/or use cushioned insoles to protect your feet. Wear the shoes for only short periods of time until they are amply softened. Tie the shoelaces tightly so your feet don’t move around. Most importantly, make sure the shoes are the right size for your feet.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Blisters on the feet can be difficult to heal, especially if you work on your feet, are an avid walker or runner, or are an athlete training for competition.
See your healthcare provider if a friction blister does not go away after two weeks or shows any signs of infection, such as:
People withdiabetes, neuropathy, or circulatory problems need to take extra care to prevent foot infections. Examine your feet daily and see a podiatrist if you have any signs of blister growth.
Your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose your blister with an examination. If they suspect an infection, they may want to take a sample of fluid from the blister to determine how it should be managed.
Summary
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32 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.The Ohio State University.There’s a blister on my foot. Now what?MedlinePlus.Blisters.National Institute of Health.Focus on your feet: Take steps to protect foot health.National Health System: NHS Inform.Blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to Prevent and Treat Blisters.Caltech.Blister Prevention.MedlinePlus.Sunburn.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.How to Treat Sun Blisters.MedlinePlus.Frostbite.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical Review of the Current Management of Frostbite Injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Oct 24;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite.Kostner L, Anzengruber F, Guillod C, Recher M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Navarini AA.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am.2017 Feb;37(1):141-152. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.08.014Farber C, Sanchez L, Kurouski D.Confirmatory non-invasive and non-destructive identification of poison ivy using a hand-held Raman spectrometer.RSC Adv. 2020 Jun 5;10(36):21530-21534. doi:10.1039/d0ra03697hNational Eczema Society.Oral steroids (Prednisolone).National Psoriasis Foundation.Pustular Psoriasis.Crowley JJ, Pariser DM, Yamauchi PS.A brief guide to pustular psoriasis for primary care providers.Postgrad Med.2021 Apr;133(3):330-44. doi:10.1080/00325481.2020.1831315National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: a common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus.2020 Oct 7;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema type: dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.Blair RJ.Varicella zoster virus.Pediatr Rev. 2019;40(7):375-7American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Signs and Symptoms.World Health Organization.Mpox (monkeypox).Gottlieb M, Long B.Dermatologic manifestations and complications of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Sep;38(9):1715-1721. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.06.011National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Tips to prevent and treat bug bites.National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S.Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2017 Jun;18(3):383-390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0MedlinePlus.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshot: FILSUVEZ.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diabetic neuropathy.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.The Ohio State University.There’s a blister on my foot. Now what?MedlinePlus.Blisters.National Institute of Health.Focus on your feet: Take steps to protect foot health.National Health System: NHS Inform.Blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to Prevent and Treat Blisters.Caltech.Blister Prevention.MedlinePlus.Sunburn.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.How to Treat Sun Blisters.MedlinePlus.Frostbite.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical Review of the Current Management of Frostbite Injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Oct 24;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite.Kostner L, Anzengruber F, Guillod C, Recher M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Navarini AA.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am.2017 Feb;37(1):141-152. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.08.014Farber C, Sanchez L, Kurouski D.Confirmatory non-invasive and non-destructive identification of poison ivy using a hand-held Raman spectrometer.RSC Adv. 2020 Jun 5;10(36):21530-21534. doi:10.1039/d0ra03697hNational Eczema Society.Oral steroids (Prednisolone).National Psoriasis Foundation.Pustular Psoriasis.Crowley JJ, Pariser DM, Yamauchi PS.A brief guide to pustular psoriasis for primary care providers.Postgrad Med.2021 Apr;133(3):330-44. doi:10.1080/00325481.2020.1831315National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: a common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus.2020 Oct 7;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema type: dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.Blair RJ.Varicella zoster virus.Pediatr Rev. 2019;40(7):375-7American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Signs and Symptoms.World Health Organization.Mpox (monkeypox).Gottlieb M, Long B.Dermatologic manifestations and complications of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Sep;38(9):1715-1721. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.06.011National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Tips to prevent and treat bug bites.National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S.Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2017 Jun;18(3):383-390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0MedlinePlus.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshot: FILSUVEZ.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diabetic neuropathy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.The Ohio State University.There’s a blister on my foot. Now what?MedlinePlus.Blisters.National Institute of Health.Focus on your feet: Take steps to protect foot health.National Health System: NHS Inform.Blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to Prevent and Treat Blisters.Caltech.Blister Prevention.MedlinePlus.Sunburn.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.How to Treat Sun Blisters.MedlinePlus.Frostbite.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical Review of the Current Management of Frostbite Injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Oct 24;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite.Kostner L, Anzengruber F, Guillod C, Recher M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Navarini AA.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am.2017 Feb;37(1):141-152. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.08.014Farber C, Sanchez L, Kurouski D.Confirmatory non-invasive and non-destructive identification of poison ivy using a hand-held Raman spectrometer.RSC Adv. 2020 Jun 5;10(36):21530-21534. doi:10.1039/d0ra03697hNational Eczema Society.Oral steroids (Prednisolone).National Psoriasis Foundation.Pustular Psoriasis.Crowley JJ, Pariser DM, Yamauchi PS.A brief guide to pustular psoriasis for primary care providers.Postgrad Med.2021 Apr;133(3):330-44. doi:10.1080/00325481.2020.1831315National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: a common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus.2020 Oct 7;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema type: dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.Blair RJ.Varicella zoster virus.Pediatr Rev. 2019;40(7):375-7American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Signs and Symptoms.World Health Organization.Mpox (monkeypox).Gottlieb M, Long B.Dermatologic manifestations and complications of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Sep;38(9):1715-1721. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.06.011National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Tips to prevent and treat bug bites.National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S.Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2017 Jun;18(3):383-390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0MedlinePlus.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshot: FILSUVEZ.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diabetic neuropathy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.
The Ohio State University.There’s a blister on my foot. Now what?
MedlinePlus.Blisters.
National Institute of Health.Focus on your feet: Take steps to protect foot health.
National Health System: NHS Inform.Blisters.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to Prevent and Treat Blisters.
Caltech.Blister Prevention.
MedlinePlus.Sunburn.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.How to Treat Sun Blisters.
MedlinePlus.Frostbite.
Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical Review of the Current Management of Frostbite Injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Oct 24;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618
Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite.
Kostner L, Anzengruber F, Guillod C, Recher M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Navarini AA.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am.2017 Feb;37(1):141-152. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.08.014
Farber C, Sanchez L, Kurouski D.Confirmatory non-invasive and non-destructive identification of poison ivy using a hand-held Raman spectrometer.RSC Adv. 2020 Jun 5;10(36):21530-21534. doi:10.1039/d0ra03697h
National Eczema Society.Oral steroids (Prednisolone).
National Psoriasis Foundation.Pustular Psoriasis.
Crowley JJ, Pariser DM, Yamauchi PS.A brief guide to pustular psoriasis for primary care providers.Postgrad Med.2021 Apr;133(3):330-44. doi:10.1080/00325481.2020.1831315
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.
Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: a common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus.2020 Oct 7;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema type: dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
Blair RJ.Varicella zoster virus.Pediatr Rev. 2019;40(7):375-7
American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Signs and Symptoms.
World Health Organization.Mpox (monkeypox).
Gottlieb M, Long B.Dermatologic manifestations and complications of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Sep;38(9):1715-1721. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.06.011
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Tips to prevent and treat bug bites.
National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.
Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S.Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management.Am J Clin Dermatol.2017 Jun;18(3):383-390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0
MedlinePlus.Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.
Food and Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshot: FILSUVEZ.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Diabetic neuropathy.
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