Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst AidWhen to Drain a BlisterWhen to See a ProviderHome RemediesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
First Aid
When to Drain a Blister
When to See a Provider
Home Remedies
Prevention
A blister is a skin condition or sore in which fluid builds up between layers of the skin. Blisters commonly form when something rubs against the skin and causes damage. They are part of the immune and inflammatory systems' response of sending fluid with compounds to help with healing.
While they can be painful and annoying, blisters can usually be easily treated at home. This article covers the different types of blisters and how to treat them.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
First Aid to Treat Blisters
Most blisters heal within a few days. However, some may take around seven to 10 days to heal fully.It’s important to try to keep the blister protected to help prevent it from becominginfected. Here are some other ways to treat blisters at home.
For Blisters That Have Not Popped
If the blister hasn’t popped, ways to treat it include:
Should You Cover a Blister?If the blister has popped, a bandage can help prevent infection. If you continue to experience friction, a bandage can protect the skin from further irritation. Blisters can benefit from airflow, so when you apply the bandage, raise the middle of the bandage a little rather than applying it tightly so there is some space for air to move around the blister.
Should You Cover a Blister?
If the blister has popped, a bandage can help prevent infection. If you continue to experience friction, a bandage can protect the skin from further irritation. Blisters can benefit from airflow, so when you apply the bandage, raise the middle of the bandage a little rather than applying it tightly so there is some space for air to move around the blister.
For Blisters That Have Popped
Blisters that have popped can be treated as follows:
How to Recognize and Treat an Infected Blister
When Should You Drain a Blister?
If possible, try to keep the blister intact. Some types of blisters should never be drained, but in some cases, friction or blood blisters can be drained. If the blister isn’t too painful, try to keep it from popping to protect the deeper layers of skin.
How to Safely Drain a Blister
A friction or blood blister can be drained if it is extremely painful.When draining a blister, keep the outer layer of skin mostly intact to help prevent infection and protect your skin. Here’s how to drain a blister:
Blisters You Should Not Drain
Never pop a cold sore or fever blister, as that can spread the herpes virus that caused it. They will usually soon break open on their own, ooze fluid, and scab over.
Avoid popping blisters from viral or bacterial infections, burns, frostbite, or allergic reactions. If blisters are painful and filled with a lot of fluid, consult a healthcare professional for the safest treatment.
Can You Get Rid of a Blister Overnight?
When to See a Healthcare Professional
If you notice any signs of infection or you’re not sure of the cause of the blister, contact your healthcare provider to help determine if any underlying conditions are causing the blister and to prescribe medication to treat any infections.
Signs of infection include:
Home Remedies for Blisters
Natural remedies to help treat blisters include:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a common ingredient in treatments for sunburns. The leaves of the aloe vera plant contain a gel-like substance. Research has found qualities in aloe vera that help reduce inflammation, boost collagen production, and stimulate cell growth to promote wound healing.
Green Tea
Green tea contains multiple naturally occurring chemicals that may have health effects. Studies have shown that wound dressings infused with the compound found in green tea,epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG), have a positive effect on wound healing.
Does Ice Help Blisters?Ice does not promote healing of blisters, but it can help with the immediate inflammation that surrounds a blister and help relieve some discomfort. If you use ice, do not ice the blister for longer then 30 minutes. Cold can restrict the blood flow to the area, which can delay healing.
Does Ice Help Blisters?
Ice does not promote healing of blisters, but it can help with the immediate inflammation that surrounds a blister and help relieve some discomfort. If you use ice, do not ice the blister for longer then 30 minutes. Cold can restrict the blood flow to the area, which can delay healing.
Eucalyptus Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. Using tea tree oil may help manage recurrent cold sore outbreaks.
Petroleum Jelly
Dermatologists commonly recommend petroleum jelly for many uses, including healing skin. You can apply petroleum jelly over a broken blister to cover the area with a protective layer and lock in moisture. Use a bandage for added coverage and to prevent the petroleum jelly from being wiped away.
Calendula
Calendula comes fromCalendula officinalis, a plant in the marigold family. It has antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation, prevent cell damage, and boost healing.
Coconut Oil
Coconut contains several fatty acids, including lauric acid, which may help reduce inflammation and hydrate skin. These properties may help tissues repair and increase healing.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another essential oil with potential health benefits. Studies show lemon balm may help treat cold sores.
How to Prevent Blisters
Not all blisters can be prevented, depending on their cause. Still, some steps may help prevent them:
Summary
11 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.Janssen L, Allard NAE, ten Haaf DSM, van Romburgh CPP, Eijsvogels TMH, Hopman MTE.First-aid treatment for friction blisters: “walking into the right direction?”Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018;28(1):37-42. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000424American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Blisters.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1-9.Xu FW, Lv YL, Zhong YF, et al.Beneficial effects of green tea egcg on skin wound healing: a comprehensive review.Molecules. 2021;26(20):6123. doi:10.3390/molecules26206123Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Zonfrillo M, Andreola F, Krasnowska EK, Sferrazza G, Pierimarchi P, Serafino A.Essential oil from eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) activates complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis and stimulates podosome formation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.Molecules. 2022;27(11):3488. doi:10.3390/molecules27113488Kodiyan J, Amber KT.A review of the use of topical calendula in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions.Antioxidants (Basel). 2015;4(2):293-303. doi:10.3390/antiox4020293Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Garber A, Barnard L, Pickrell C.Review of whole plant extracts with activity against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.J Evid Based Integr Med. 2021;26:2515690X20978394. doi:10.1177/2515690X20978394
11 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.Janssen L, Allard NAE, ten Haaf DSM, van Romburgh CPP, Eijsvogels TMH, Hopman MTE.First-aid treatment for friction blisters: “walking into the right direction?”Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018;28(1):37-42. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000424American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Blisters.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1-9.Xu FW, Lv YL, Zhong YF, et al.Beneficial effects of green tea egcg on skin wound healing: a comprehensive review.Molecules. 2021;26(20):6123. doi:10.3390/molecules26206123Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Zonfrillo M, Andreola F, Krasnowska EK, Sferrazza G, Pierimarchi P, Serafino A.Essential oil from eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) activates complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis and stimulates podosome formation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.Molecules. 2022;27(11):3488. doi:10.3390/molecules27113488Kodiyan J, Amber KT.A review of the use of topical calendula in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions.Antioxidants (Basel). 2015;4(2):293-303. doi:10.3390/antiox4020293Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Garber A, Barnard L, Pickrell C.Review of whole plant extracts with activity against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.J Evid Based Integr Med. 2021;26:2515690X20978394. doi:10.1177/2515690X20978394
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.
Janssen L, Allard NAE, ten Haaf DSM, van Romburgh CPP, Eijsvogels TMH, Hopman MTE.First-aid treatment for friction blisters: “walking into the right direction?”Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018;28(1):37-42. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000424American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Blisters.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1-9.Xu FW, Lv YL, Zhong YF, et al.Beneficial effects of green tea egcg on skin wound healing: a comprehensive review.Molecules. 2021;26(20):6123. doi:10.3390/molecules26206123Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Zonfrillo M, Andreola F, Krasnowska EK, Sferrazza G, Pierimarchi P, Serafino A.Essential oil from eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) activates complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis and stimulates podosome formation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.Molecules. 2022;27(11):3488. doi:10.3390/molecules27113488Kodiyan J, Amber KT.A review of the use of topical calendula in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions.Antioxidants (Basel). 2015;4(2):293-303. doi:10.3390/antiox4020293Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Garber A, Barnard L, Pickrell C.Review of whole plant extracts with activity against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.J Evid Based Integr Med. 2021;26:2515690X20978394. doi:10.1177/2515690X20978394
Janssen L, Allard NAE, ten Haaf DSM, van Romburgh CPP, Eijsvogels TMH, Hopman MTE.First-aid treatment for friction blisters: “walking into the right direction?”Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018;28(1):37-42. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000424
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.
Cleveland Clinic.Blisters.
Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1-9.
Xu FW, Lv YL, Zhong YF, et al.Beneficial effects of green tea egcg on skin wound healing: a comprehensive review.Molecules. 2021;26(20):6123. doi:10.3390/molecules26206123
Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116
Zonfrillo M, Andreola F, Krasnowska EK, Sferrazza G, Pierimarchi P, Serafino A.Essential oil from eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) activates complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis and stimulates podosome formation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.Molecules. 2022;27(11):3488. doi:10.3390/molecules27113488
Kodiyan J, Amber KT.A review of the use of topical calendula in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions.Antioxidants (Basel). 2015;4(2):293-303. doi:10.3390/antiox4020293
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
Garber A, Barnard L, Pickrell C.Review of whole plant extracts with activity against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.J Evid Based Integr Med. 2021;26:2515690X20978394. doi:10.1177/2515690X20978394
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