Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsVesicular RashCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Vesicular Rash

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

When to See a Provider

Prevention

A vesicle, also known as ablisteror avesicularlesion, forms when fluid becomes trapped under the top layer of skin (epidermis), creating a bubble-like sac.

This article explains vesicle symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

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A child’s neck covered with chicken pox

Vesicle Symptoms

Vesicles appear as small blisters on the skin. They typically look like little bubbles of fluid and are less than half a centimeter (five millimeters) in diameter. If a blister is larger than one centimeter, it is called a bulla (plural: bullae).

Vesicles can break open very easily. The larger one is, the more prone it is to burst, which can be painful. When this occurs, fluid is released that forms a yellow crust on the skin when dry.

Vesicles can also cause inflammation in the surrounding area. There is a greater risk of infection if a vesicle bursts prematurely before the underlying skin heals.

A vesicular rash is any rash that includes vesicles. Most conditions that cause a vesicular rash are not serious. Some common causes of vesicular rash include:

Other Causes of Vesicles

Many other things can cause vesicles. Some, like friction, are considered minor. If you’ve ever broken in a new pair of shoes, played several rounds of tennis, or done a few hours of manual labor, you’ve probably dealt with such friction blisters.

Other causes include:

Vesicles are easy to recognize since they appear on the skin’s surface. But since there are so many potential causes, a healthcare provider can easily misdiagnose them if they don’t do a careful evaluation.

Vesicle diagnosis may include:

Getting a Biopsy: How to Prepare

Vesicle treatment depends on the cause. In many cases, healthcare providers treat vesicles with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Sometimes they heal on their own.

Treatments for vesicles may include:

As tempting as it might be, do not pick or scratch at any lesions. Vesicles may rupture on their own, but you should avoid popping a vesicle deliberately. This can slow healing and make you more prone to developing an infection. It’s best to keep the area clean and any intact vesicles sealed so the skin beneath can heal.

If a vesicle is swollen and painful, a healthcare provider can drain the fluid with sterile tools. Doing so helps the skin to heal effectively without risking infection.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you are unsure why you have vesicles, it’s best to see a healthcare provider.A proper diagnosis can ensure you’re using the right treatment to resolve the blisters as quickly as possible.

Getting an evaluation can also ensure that you properly manage any condition or illness that may have caused these lesions.

In addition, be sure to have vesicles evaluated if they are:

If you notice anysigns of infection, seek medical attention immediately. These include:

However, you can incorporate some preventative measures to limit your risk of vesicles, including:

Summary

Vesicles are fluid blisters that appear on the top layer of the skin. These blisters can break open and leave a crusty, yellow film behind.

Many things can cause blisters, including some bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, chronic skin conditions, and allergies.

Vesicle treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, topical steroids, NSAIDs, antihistamines, and biologics.

A Word From Verywell

If you have vesicles, you may find it difficult to keep from scratching them. Do your best, since scratching can result in scarring.

Wearing soft mittens or socks over your hands can sometimes help, especially while you sleep.

Frequently Asked QuestionsVesicles, also called blisters, can form anywhere on the skin. However, the hands and feet are the most common locations for blisters to develop.Learn MoreCauses of Foot BlistersYes, a vesicle can be itchy. However, try not to scratch since this can cause it to rupture. A broken blister is more vulnerable to infection.Learn MoreRashes with Blisters

Frequently Asked Questions

Vesicles, also called blisters, can form anywhere on the skin. However, the hands and feet are the most common locations for blisters to develop.Learn MoreCauses of Foot Blisters

Vesicles, also called blisters, can form anywhere on the skin. However, the hands and feet are the most common locations for blisters to develop.

Learn MoreCauses of Foot Blisters

Yes, a vesicle can be itchy. However, try not to scratch since this can cause it to rupture. A broken blister is more vulnerable to infection.Learn MoreRashes with Blisters

Yes, a vesicle can be itchy. However, try not to scratch since this can cause it to rupture. A broken blister is more vulnerable to infection.

Learn MoreRashes with Blisters

7 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.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vesicles.Hu Y.Infectious dermatoses that can manifest as vesicles.Infect Drug Resist. 2019;12:3063-3066. doi:10.2147/IDR.S221934Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heat stress—heat related illness.Liu J, Chen Y, Pei F, et al.Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: potential for disease diagnosis.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:1-17. doi:10.1155/2021/6611244American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergy.Nolte-‘t Hoen E, Cremer T, Gallo RC, Margolis LB.Extracellular vesicles and viruses: are they close relatives?.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016;113(33):9155-9161. doi:10.1073/pnas.1605146113National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Blisters.

7 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.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vesicles.Hu Y.Infectious dermatoses that can manifest as vesicles.Infect Drug Resist. 2019;12:3063-3066. doi:10.2147/IDR.S221934Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heat stress—heat related illness.Liu J, Chen Y, Pei F, et al.Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: potential for disease diagnosis.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:1-17. doi:10.1155/2021/6611244American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergy.Nolte-‘t Hoen E, Cremer T, Gallo RC, Margolis LB.Extracellular vesicles and viruses: are they close relatives?.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016;113(33):9155-9161. doi:10.1073/pnas.1605146113National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.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.

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vesicles.Hu Y.Infectious dermatoses that can manifest as vesicles.Infect Drug Resist. 2019;12:3063-3066. doi:10.2147/IDR.S221934Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heat stress—heat related illness.Liu J, Chen Y, Pei F, et al.Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: potential for disease diagnosis.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:1-17. doi:10.1155/2021/6611244American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergy.Nolte-‘t Hoen E, Cremer T, Gallo RC, Margolis LB.Extracellular vesicles and viruses: are they close relatives?.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016;113(33):9155-9161. doi:10.1073/pnas.1605146113National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Blisters.

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vesicles.

Hu Y.Infectious dermatoses that can manifest as vesicles.Infect Drug Resist. 2019;12:3063-3066. doi:10.2147/IDR.S221934

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heat stress—heat related illness.

Liu J, Chen Y, Pei F, et al.Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: potential for disease diagnosis.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:1-17. doi:10.1155/2021/6611244

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergy.

Nolte-‘t Hoen E, Cremer T, Gallo RC, Margolis LB.Extracellular vesicles and viruses: are they close relatives?.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016;113(33):9155-9161. doi:10.1073/pnas.1605146113

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Blisters.

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