How to Treat a Blister

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Blisters are fluid-filled bumps that appear on your skin when it has experienced friction. You may get them on your feet after walking around in shoes that are too tight, or on your hands after spending a day shoveling in the garden. If you get a blister, it's important to know how to treat it at home, so that it can heal quickly and you can avoid infection. However, there may be times when you do need to seek medical attention for a large or infected blister.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Treating Small Blisters at Home

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you have a blister, no matter how small, it's important to keep the area clean. This will help ensure that if it accidentally pops, it won't get infected. [1]
  2. Small, unbroken blisters will go away on their own after a few days. There's no need to pop them or bandage them. Just air them out as much as you can.
    • If the blister is on your foot, wear sandals or loose slippers around the house to give it time to heal.
    • If the blister is on your hand, there's no need to wear gloves or a bandage as long as you aren't using your hands to do something that might cause the blister to break or get infected.
    Advertisement
  3. When you leave the house or start an activity, protect unpopped blisters so they don't accidentally get popped. Use a loose bandage or a donut moleskin bandage to cover it. [2]
    • Donut moleskin bandages are available at most pharmacies. They create a protective barrier around the blister, while still allowing it to breathe.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Treating Large Blisters at Home

PDF download Download Article
  1. Clean a large blister and the surrounding area with warm, soapy water. Make sure your hands are also clean, since blisters can easily become infected. [3]
    • Be gentle when cleaning the blister. Try to keep the blister intact until you can pop it in a controlled way.
  2. Press on the blister with your finger. Fluid should begin flowing from the hole. Keep pressing on it until it is completely drained. Use a cotton ball to wipe away the fluid. [4]
    • Draining your own blister is a sanitary way to help it heal faster and to reduce the pain you might feel from the swollen area.
    • If your large blister does not pop on its own, you should visit your healthcare professional.
  3. Once your blister is drained, there will be a flap of skin left on the surface. This deflated blister skin will protect the skin underneath from getting infected. There's no need to tear or cut it off. [5]
  4. Use a cotton swab to apply polymyxin B or bacitracin antibiotic ointment to the area. This will prevent the wound from becoming infected and will keep the bandage from sticking to your skin. [6]
    • Some people are allergic to antibiotic ointments. If you are, cover the area in petroleum jelly instead. [7]
  5. Protect popped blisters so they don't become infected. Use a bandage or gauze to loosely cover the area. Make sure the tape doesn't touch the blister. [8]
    • Change the bandage once a day, or every time it gets wet or dirty.
    • If the blister is on your foot, wear socks and comfortable shoes. Don't make it more irritated by walking around in the shoes that caused the blister to begin with.
    • If the blister is on your hand, wear gloves to protect it when you do daily tasks like washing dishes or cooking. Don't repeat the task that caused you to get the blister to begin with.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Seeking Medical Attention

PDF download Download Article
  1. Blisters that are large, painful, and in an area that is hard for you to get to can be treated by a doctor. A doctor will have sterile tools they can use for draining the blister. This will ensure that the area is clean and disinfected before sending you on your way. [9]
  2. An infected blister can lead to bigger problems, so it's best to have a doctor check it out and advise you on the proper treatment. They may clean and dress the area and give you a prescription for antibiotics. Signs of infection include the following: [10]
    • Red, itchy, swollen skin near the affected area.
    • Yellow pus emerging from under the skin flap of the deflated blister.
    • The area around the blister is warm to the touch.
    • Red streaks on the skin running from the infected area.
  3. In rare cases, an infected blister can lead to bigger health problems as the infection moves throughout the body. Seek immediate medical care if you have the following serious symptoms: [11]
    • A high fever.
    • Chills.
    • Vomiting.
    • Diarrhea.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Blisters

PDF download Download Article
  1. Blisters are commonly caused by doing repetitive movements that cause friction. However, if you wear gloves before you even start your project, the friction created by these movements will be minimized and blisters can be prevented. [12]
    • For example, using a shovel for extended periods of time rubs repeatedly on the skin in the same spot. However, wearing gloves while using a shovel will cushion your hands and prevent blisters.
  2. Wearing new shoes or shoes that fit poorly can create blisters, especially on the toes and the back of the heel. To avoid getting blisters on your feet, make sure that your shoes fit correctly. Break in new shoes gradually by wearing them often but only for short periods of time. This repeated wear will break them in without rubbing long enough to create blisters. [13]
  3. If you know that a pair of shoes causes blisters or you are going to do a project that you know will create blisters on your hands, be proactive and protect your body. Put padding on areas of your body that you think will get repeatedly rubbed, so that blisters can't form. [14]
    • For example, put a bandage over a spot on your hand that gets repeatedly rubbed while you are doing a craft project or some other repetitive motion.
    • If you have problems with blisters on your feet, wear 2 pairs of socks to create more padding on them.
    • There is also padding available at most pharmacies that is made to cushion areas of your feet that rub in your shoes. This padding, often called "mole skin," typically sticks to the skin to keep it in place.
  4. Use lotions, powders, and petroleum jelly to reduce friction between 2 areas of your skin that rub against each other. For instance, if your legs are repeatedly rubbing up against each other, put some petroleum jelly between them so that the rubbing doesn't create friction and heat, which will cause blisters. [15]
    • For example, those that ride bikes or run long distances experience a lot of skin rubbing, which can lead to blisters. Using lubrication between areas that rub can minimize discomfort and blisters.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I treat multiple blisters on the tips of my fingers?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    Blisters on the tips of your fingers are usually caused by repetitive activities, such as playing guitar or other stringed instruments. If this is the case, your body will start to form callouses over the area so that you won't keep developing blisters. In the meantime, play your instrument only as much as you can. Keep your fingers clean, and apply an antibacterial ointment and bandage if the blisters get raw. Don't pick at the blisters. If you use a bandage, change it often and replace it if it gets dirty or falls off.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 16
  • Question
    What should I do for a medium-sized 1 to 2 blister on my lower thigh?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    Keep the area clean. Apply an antibacterial ointment, and cover it with a bandage. Change the bandage daily until your blister heals.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 10
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Reader Videos

      Submit a Video Tip!

      Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

      Submit a Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get a Splinter Out
      How to
      Get Rid of Acne on Your Chest at Home
      Blood Blister Treatment Plus Causes and When to See a Doc
      How to
      Get Rid of Mouth Blisters
      Popped Blister Treatment: Tips to Heal Quickly and Safely
      How to
      Treat a Blistering Burn on Your Finger
      How to
      Get Rid of Chilblains
      How to
      Treat a Foot Blister
      How to
      Treat a Blister Burn
      How to
      Dry Up Edema Blisters
      How to
      Heal Blisters
      How to
      Pop a Blister
      How to
      Treat an Infected Blister
      How to
      Heal Blisters Fast
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16787-blisters
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/blisters
      3. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16787-blisters
      4. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blisters
      5. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa2967
      6. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16787-blisters
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/prevent-treat-blisters
      8. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/blisters
      9. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blisters/
      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/blisters
      2. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa2967
      3. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/sports-medicine/sports-medicine-articles/the-abcs-of-blister-care
      4. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/sports-medicine/sports-medicine-articles/the-abcs-of-blister-care
      5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blisters/
      6. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/friction-blister

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have a small blister, you don’t need to do much to treat it. Wash the area regularly with soap and water and leave it uncovered so it can get plenty of fresh air while it heals. If the blister is in a vulnerable area like your hand or the bottom of your foot, cover it with a loose bandage to protect it while you’re doing activities that could cause it to pop. It should heal up on its own in a few days. Big blisters may need a little more attention. If the blister pops, clean the area with soap and water and gently press on the blister to drain it. Leave the flap of skin in place to help protect the new skin that is growing underneath. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the drained blister, such as polymyxin B or bacitracin, and cover the blister with an adhesive bandage. Change the bandage once a day, or any time it gets wet or dirty. If your blister is very large or painful, or if you think it might be infected, see a doctor for advice. Signs of infection in a blister include redness, itching, swelling, or pus at the site of the wound. It might also feel hot to the touch. Red streaks leading away from the blister can be a sign of a serious infection. If the infection spreads, you might also develop a fever or feel unwell. Get medical attention right away if you notice any of these symptoms.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 785,074 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Tamika Edge

        Jun 14, 2016

        "I was trying to take my fan loose, but I used the wrong screwdriver, and it caused me to get a blister on my left ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement