Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Prevention
Toe blisters tend to go away on their own within one to two weeks, but some blisters may require extensive treatment depending on the underlying cause.
Elen11 / Getty Images
Types of Blisters on Toes
The three types are described as:
There are various causes of blisters, some of which are harmless and clear on their own. Others may be signs of underlying disease requiring specialist medical care.
Friction
Friction blistersare the most common type of blister on the toes. They can develop when a person is on their feet for a long period and their toes continuously rub against their shoes or socks.
Friction blisters typically appear on the heels, toes, or sides of the feet where the skin is thickest. The blister can range from the size of a pea to the size of a plum. These blisters can cause pain and inflammation but are usually not a cause of concern.
Moisture
Excessive foot moisture can causemaceration. This is the softening and breaking down of skin due to the accumulation of sweat or water. When this happens, fluids can seep beneath breaks in the skin and form a large vesicle.
Excessive moisture or perspiration can also cause smaller pimple-like blisters, most commonly among athletes like marathon runners who perspire heavily in their shoes. Tiny blisters can form when sweat clogs the pores in the feet.
Second-Degree Burns
Blisters form in response to asecond-degree burn. With second-degree burns, blistering is a way to protect underlying tissues from damage. Causes include fire, steam, certain chemicals, and contact with any object or surface heated to over 131 F.
The same can occur withsunburnsdue to overexposure toultraviolet (UV) radiationfrom the sun. The time it can take to blister can vary based on your skin type. During peak hours (between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.), blistering can develop as quickly as 30 to 45 minutes in the absence ofprotective sunscreen.
Severe Frostbite
If your toes are exposed to extreme cold for a long period, blisters may also appear. Typically, the toes becomefrostbittenbefore tiny vesicles form, merging into a larger one. Pain, burning, tingling, and a waxy skin appearance are also common.
Since frostbite is technically a second-degree burn, you would need to seek medical care in the same way you would a fire or steam burn.
Allergies
Different allergic reactions can cause blisters. These occur when anallergen(allergy-causing substance) causes immune cells in the skin, known as mast cells, to break open and release a chemical calledhistamineinto surrounding tissues.
In most cases, the release of histamine will cause generalized swelling andhives. However, if the reaction is severe, it can cause serum to leak from blood vessels and form into vesicles.
Allergic reactions associated with blistering include:
Skin Infections
Different types of bacterial or viral infections can cause blisters on the toes, including:
Immune-Mediated Diseases
In addition to allergies, there are autoimmune diseases (in which the immune system attacks normal tissues) and immune-mediated diseases (which inappropriately provokeinflammation) that can cause blisters on the toes and feet.
These include:
Among the options:
Should You Pop a Toe Blister?
Blisters are best left alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should avoidpopping a blisterbecause it increases the risk ofbacterial infection.
However, if a blister is especially large and painful, you may need to have it drained. This is especially true if it affects walking. Speak with your healthcare provider.
If a blister bursts on its own, clean the area with warm water and soap. You can then smooth the top layer, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a sterile bandage. The bandage should be changed daily (or more if there is a lot of fluid).
Should You Remove Blistered Skin?Never remove the skin of a blister after it has been drained or popped. Not only will this expose raw tissue, causing pain, but will also remove a protective barrier against
Should You Remove Blistered Skin?
Never remove the skin of a blister after it has been drained or popped. Not only will this expose raw tissue, causing pain, but will also remove a protective barrier against
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If the blister doesn’t heal on its own, see a healthcare provider or a foot specialist known as apodiatrist. This is especially true if there are signs of a foot infection, including:
There are several simple ways to avoid a friction blister, the most common types affecting the feet and toes:
Summary
21 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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.MedlinePlus.Pustules.Whitehead F, Giampieri S, Graham T, Grocott P.Identifying, managing and preventing skin maceration: a rapid review of the clinical evidence.J Wound Care. 2017;26(4):159-165. doi:10.12968/jowc.2017.26.4.159Medline Plus.Burns.Northwestern Univerity.When should I see a doctor for sunburn?Alberta Health Services (Canada).Frostbite: care instructions.Yang M, Wu H, Zhao M, Chang C, Lu Q.The pathogenesis of bullous skin diseases.J Transl Autoimmun. 2019 Aug 26;2:100014. doi:10.1016/j.jtauto.2019.100014Seattle Children’s Hospital.Insect bite.Novak-Bilić G, Vučić M, Japundžić I, Meštrović-Štefekov J, Stanić-Duktaj S, Lugović-Mihić L.Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis - skin lesion characteristics.Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):713-720. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.13Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hygiene related diseases: athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).National Health Service (UK).Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger).American Academy of Family Physicians.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Ventarola D, Bordone L, Silverberg N.Update on hand-foot-and-mouth disease.Clin Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;33(3):340-346. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.12.011American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of psoriasis: can you have more than one?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.10839National Health Service (UNK).Epidermolysis bullosa.Sullivan T, de Barra E.Diagnosis and management of cellulitis.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):160–3. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160National Eczema Association.Is it eczema or psoriasis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.National Health Service (UK).Blisters.
21 Sources
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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.MedlinePlus.Pustules.Whitehead F, Giampieri S, Graham T, Grocott P.Identifying, managing and preventing skin maceration: a rapid review of the clinical evidence.J Wound Care. 2017;26(4):159-165. doi:10.12968/jowc.2017.26.4.159Medline Plus.Burns.Northwestern Univerity.When should I see a doctor for sunburn?Alberta Health Services (Canada).Frostbite: care instructions.Yang M, Wu H, Zhao M, Chang C, Lu Q.The pathogenesis of bullous skin diseases.J Transl Autoimmun. 2019 Aug 26;2:100014. doi:10.1016/j.jtauto.2019.100014Seattle Children’s Hospital.Insect bite.Novak-Bilić G, Vučić M, Japundžić I, Meštrović-Štefekov J, Stanić-Duktaj S, Lugović-Mihić L.Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis - skin lesion characteristics.Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):713-720. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.13Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hygiene related diseases: athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).National Health Service (UK).Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger).American Academy of Family Physicians.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Ventarola D, Bordone L, Silverberg N.Update on hand-foot-and-mouth disease.Clin Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;33(3):340-346. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.12.011American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of psoriasis: can you have more than one?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.10839National Health Service (UNK).Epidermolysis bullosa.Sullivan T, de Barra E.Diagnosis and management of cellulitis.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):160–3. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160National Eczema Association.Is it eczema or psoriasis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.National Health Service (UK).Blisters.
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.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.MedlinePlus.Pustules.Whitehead F, Giampieri S, Graham T, Grocott P.Identifying, managing and preventing skin maceration: a rapid review of the clinical evidence.J Wound Care. 2017;26(4):159-165. doi:10.12968/jowc.2017.26.4.159Medline Plus.Burns.Northwestern Univerity.When should I see a doctor for sunburn?Alberta Health Services (Canada).Frostbite: care instructions.Yang M, Wu H, Zhao M, Chang C, Lu Q.The pathogenesis of bullous skin diseases.J Transl Autoimmun. 2019 Aug 26;2:100014. doi:10.1016/j.jtauto.2019.100014Seattle Children’s Hospital.Insect bite.Novak-Bilić G, Vučić M, Japundžić I, Meštrović-Štefekov J, Stanić-Duktaj S, Lugović-Mihić L.Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis - skin lesion characteristics.Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):713-720. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.13Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hygiene related diseases: athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).National Health Service (UK).Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger).American Academy of Family Physicians.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Ventarola D, Bordone L, Silverberg N.Update on hand-foot-and-mouth disease.Clin Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;33(3):340-346. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.12.011American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of psoriasis: can you have more than one?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.10839National Health Service (UNK).Epidermolysis bullosa.Sullivan T, de Barra E.Diagnosis and management of cellulitis.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):160–3. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160National Eczema Association.Is it eczema or psoriasis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.National Health Service (UK).Blisters.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.
MedlinePlus.Pustules.
Whitehead F, Giampieri S, Graham T, Grocott P.Identifying, managing and preventing skin maceration: a rapid review of the clinical evidence.J Wound Care. 2017;26(4):159-165. doi:10.12968/jowc.2017.26.4.159
Medline Plus.Burns.
Northwestern Univerity.When should I see a doctor for sunburn?
Alberta Health Services (Canada).Frostbite: care instructions.
Yang M, Wu H, Zhao M, Chang C, Lu Q.The pathogenesis of bullous skin diseases.J Transl Autoimmun. 2019 Aug 26;2:100014. doi:10.1016/j.jtauto.2019.100014
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Insect bite.
Novak-Bilić G, Vučić M, Japundžić I, Meštrović-Štefekov J, Stanić-Duktaj S, Lugović-Mihić L.Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis - skin lesion characteristics.Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):713-720. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.13
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hygiene related diseases: athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
National Health Service (UK).Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger).
American Academy of Family Physicians.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.
Ventarola D, Bordone L, Silverberg N.Update on hand-foot-and-mouth disease.Clin Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;33(3):340-346. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.12.011
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of psoriasis: can you have more than one?
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
National Health Service (UNK).Epidermolysis bullosa.
Sullivan T, de Barra E.Diagnosis and management of cellulitis.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):160–3. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160
National Eczema Association.Is it eczema or psoriasis?
National Health Service (UK).Blisters.
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