Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Treating the blister
• Part 2 of 3: Using home remedies
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing blisters
• Tips
• Warnings

Blisters are pockets of moisture on the skin's surface that are caused by friction or burns. Usually they develop on the feet and hands. Most blisters will heal on their own without home remedies, but larger, more painful blisters may need a little help. Fortunately, there are many ways you can treat a very large blister at home and prevent new ones from forming. To learn how to treat the blister at home, start at Step 1, go to Method 2 to learn more about suitable home remedies, and read Method 3 to find out how to prevent new blisters.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Treating the blister

1. Leave the blister whole if it doesn't hurt. Most blisters will heal naturally without needing to be pierced. This is because the undamaged skin covering the blister forms a protective barrier that prevents infections. After a few days, the body will reabsorb the fluid in the blister (also called serum) and the blister will disappear. This is the best option if the blister is not painful as it minimizes the risk of infection.
   • If the blister is on your hand or where it will not be further exposed to friction, you do not need to cover the blister. The air will help the blister heal. If the blister is on your foot, it may be a good idea to cover it with a piece of gauze or a moleskin (firm cotton) pad. This will allow you to protect the blister and still allow it to breathe.
   • If the blister pops on its own, let the moisture out and clean the area thoroughly. Then cover the area with a dry, sterile bandage until the skin has healed. This will help prevent the area from becoming infected during the healing process.
2. Pierce the blister if it hurts. Doctors recommend keeping a blister intact under all circumstances if possible, but in some cases it is necessary to puncture a blister, especially if it is very painful or causes a strong feeling of pressure. For example, a runner must puncture a large blister on the sole of his or her foot when he or she has to run a competition. If it is necessary to pop a blister, it is very important that you follow the correct procedure to avoid infection.
3. Clean the area with soap and water. The first thing to do is clean the skin on and around the blister with warm water and soap. It doesn't matter which soap you use, but it is best to use antibacterial soap. This allows you to wash any sweat or dirt off the area before puncturing the blister.
4. Sterilize a needle. Take a clean, sharp needle and sterilize it using one of the following methods: wipe the needle with a little rubbing alcohol, put the needle in boiling water, or hold the needle over a flame until it glows and turns orange.
5. Pierce the blister. Use the sterilized needle to puncture the blister in several places along the edges. Gently apply pressure to the blister with a clean gauze or tissue to drain the fluid. Do not remove the loose skin covering the blister, as it will help protect the area.
6. Apply a little antibacterial ointment. When all the moisture has flowed out of the blister, dab a little antibacterial ointment or cream on the blister. You can use any over the counter antibacterial agents such as Polymyxin B or Bacitracin. The ointment will kill bacteria around the blister and prevent infections, as well as prevent the dressing from sticking to loose skin.
7. Cover the blister loosely with gauze or a bandage. When you have applied the ointment, cover the punctured blister with a gauze bandage or a gel patch. Such a remedy prevents dirt particles or bacteria from getting into the punctured blister and also makes it easier for you to walk or run if the blister is on your foot. Apply a new patch every day, especially if the old patch has gotten wet or dirty.
8. Trim away dead skin and apply a new patch. After two or three days, take the patch off and use sterilized scissors to cut away pieces of loose, dead skin. However, do not try to remove any flaps of skin that are still attached. Clean the area again, apply more ointment, and cover the area with a clean band-aid. The blister should be completely healed within three to seven days.
9. If you notice signs of infection, see a doctor. In some cases, even if you tried hard to avoid infection, the area will become infected. If the area is infected, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor can prescribe a strong topical antibiotic or an oral antibiotic to cure the infection. Signs of infection include red skin and swelling around the blister, a build-up of pus, red streaks on the skin and fever.

Part 2 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Apply tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil with effective antibacterial properties. It also has an astringent effect, which means that the oil can help dry out the blister. Use a cotton swab to dab a little oil on the drained or punctured blister once a day. Then stick a clean patch on it.
2. Use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a traditional home remedy used for many minor ailments, including blisters. It can be used to prevent infections as vinegar has antibacterial properties. Apple cider vinegar can be very stinging, so it's best to dilute the vinegar half with water before using a cotton swab to dab the vinegar on the blister.
3. Try aloe vera. Aloe vera is a plant whose juice has soothing and healing properties. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and moisturizing agent, making the juice very suitable for treating blisters caused by burns. To use aloe vera, take a leaf off the plant and spread the clear, gel-like juice on and around the blister. This is especially helpful when the blister has burst, as the juice will speed up the healing process.
4. Soak the area in green tea. Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties, and soaking the blister in a bowl or bowl of cooled green tea can help soothe the swollen or inflamed skin around the blister.
5. Use vitamin E. Vitamin E makes the skin heal faster and helps prevent scarring. You can buy oils and creams with vitamin E at the drugstore. Just smear a little cream or oil on the blister daily to stimulate the healing process.
6. Make a compress with chamomile. Chamomile has soothing properties and can help relieve the pain of a swollen blister. Prepare a strong cup of chamomile tea and let the tea steep for five to six minutes. When the tea has cooled slightly, dip a clean washcloth in it and soak it with tea. Then wring out the washcloth. Press this warm compress against the blister for about ten minutes or until the pain subsides.
7. Soak the area in Epsom salt. Epsom salts can help dry out an undamaged blister and allow the moisture to drain in it. Simply dissolve a small amount of Epsom salt in a hot bath and soak the blister in it. Be careful though, as the salt will sting if the blister has burst.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing blisters

1. Choose shoes that fit you well. Many blisters are caused by the friction caused by ill-fitting shoes. When the shoes rub or slide against the feet, they pull the skin back and forth, separating the outer skin layer from the inner skin layer. An opening then arises between the skin layers, which gives you a blister. To avoid this, it is important that you choose high-quality, breathable shoes that fit you perfectly.
   • When you run, consider going to a running supply store where a professional can help you choose the best shoes that fit.
2. Wear the right socks. Socks are very important if you want to prevent blisters, as they reduce moisture (causing blisters more quickly) and reduce friction. Choose nylon socks instead of cotton socks, as they breathe better. You can also choose socks that wick moisture away from the skin. These are made from a wool blend.
   • Runners can also buy special sports socks that are provided with extra cushioning in places where blisters quickly form.
3. Use agents that reduce friction. There are many over-the-counter products that you can apply to your feet before walking or running that are designed to reduce friction and moisture build-up. Try using a foot powder. You sprinkle such powder into your socks before putting them on to keep your feet dry. You can also apply a cream so that your socks and shoes can slide over your skin instead of causing friction.
4. Wear gloves. Blisters often form on the hands when working with the hands, for example when using tools or shovels, or when working in the garden. You can prevent these blisters by wearing protective gloves during these activities.
5. Bring suntan lotion. Sunburned skin can easily blister. The best way to avoid this is to avoid burning your skin. You can do this by using sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and wearing a hat or cap. If your skin does get burned, you can prevent blisters by applying a generous amount of moisturizer, aftersun, and calamine lotion.
6. Be careful with heat and chemicals. Blisters can form after you burn your skin from hot water, steam, dry heat, or chemicals. So take proper precautions when working with hot objects, such as pans or stoves, or using chemicals such as bleach.

Tips

• Expose the blister to air so that it can breathe.
• If blisters develop, you can use an anti-fungal cream (such as Clotrimazole) to dry out the area.
• Pierce the blister not through.
• Use an anti-blemish cream with salicylic acid. It may sound strange, but this will help if you want to get rid of a blister.
• Apply an anti-blemish cream to the blister and then stick a band-aid on it.
• Covering your foot will make the area feel better.
• Don't be tempted to pull the skin off or scratch the blister. This will only make the area more irritated.
• Make sure to only touch the blister with sterilized tools. Otherwise you can infect the area with germs and bacteria that do not belong there.
• Stay out of the sun if you have blisters, as the blisters may have been caused by overheating.
• If nothing works, see a doctor before the area becomes infected.
• If you really need to pierce the blister, you can also thread a needle through the blister. Leave the thread in the blister and sticking out of two holes from the blister. This way the moisture will continue to drain from the blister and the wound will remain dry. Remove the thread when the area is almost healed. Make sure to use a sterilized needle and thread.

Warnings

• Do not scratch, pick or rub the blister. This can infect the blister.
• If anything other than clear wound fluid comes out of the blister, see a doctor immediately. Small blisters can be the start of a serious infection.
• Do not apply vitamin E to a blister until it has healed. Vitamin E stimulates collagen production. This is great for healing scars, but it also slows down the healing process of the blister.
• Blisters caused by burns are more likely to become infected.
• Never puncture a blood-filled blister. Instead, see a doctor.
• If you puncture your blister, make as small a hole as possible, sterilize your hands, your tools, and your blister with alcohol or a blue flame, and use an antibiotic cream. Even minor infections can be serious.
• Be very careful with unconventional methods. The effect of the home remedies recommended in this article has not been scientifically proven. At best, they don't do anything, and at worst, they can cause an infection. Talk to your doctor before using any unknown product or agent to treat your blister.
• Do not put a thread through your blister. Pulling the thread out once the blister has healed will deposit millions of bacteria on the area and can infect the area. The thread has been in the blister for days and may have accumulated a lot of bacteria.