Content

• Steps

Blisters are fluid-filled wraps on the skin when rubbed. You may experience blistering on your feet when wearing too tight shoes or on your hands after a day of hoeing in the garden. When you have a cold sore, you need to know how to take care at home to help the wound heal faster and prevent infection. However, sometimes you need medical treatment when the blisters are large or become infected.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Treating small blisters at home

1. 

   Wash the area with the blister with soap and water. When a cold sore appears, big or small, it's important to keep it clean. This will prevent the cold sore from becoming infected if it breaks.

2. 

   
   
   Keep the cold sore airy. Small, unbroken blisters should go away on their own within a few days. You do not need to puncture or re-bandage, just let the cold sore air as much as possible.
   • If the sore is on your foot, wear sandals or slippers when you are at home to give it time to heal.
   • If the blister is on your hand, you also do not need to wear gloves or an armband or do nothing that could cause it to break or become infected.

3. 

   
   
   Protect the blister from being broken. When you are out of the house or doing an activity, protect the cold sore from breaking. You can use a loose bandage or use a donut-shaped moleskin tape to protect the cold sore.
   • Donut-shaped moleskin tapes are available at most pharmacies. This product creates a protective barrier around it while keeping the blister airy.
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Method 2 of 4: Treating large blisters at home

1. 

   
   
   Gently wash the area with the blister. Clean the blister and surrounding skin with warm, soapy water. Make sure your hands are also clean, as blisters are often prone to infection.
   • Be sure to be gentle when washing the blister. Try to keep the blister in place before you can puncture it properly.

2. 

   Drain the blister out if it breaks. Use your finger to press on the blister. You should see fluid begin to drain through the opening. Continue to press until the drainage is gone, then wipe off with a cotton ball.
   • Proper drainage of drainage can help the wound heal faster and reduce pain in the swelling area.
   • If the blister does not rupture on its own, you should see your doctor for it.

3. 

   Do not peel the skin piece above the blister. If the blister has drained, it will leave a piece of skin. This piece of skin protects the underlying skin from infection, and you don't need to peel or remove it.

4. 

   Apply the ointment to the blister after it has drained. Use a cotton ball to apply polymyxin B or antibiotic bacitracin ointment to the wound. This will prevent infection and keep the dressing from sticking to the skin.
   • Some people are allergic to antibiotic ointments. If you have allergies, you can use oil wax (Vaseline cream) instead of antibiotic ointment.

5. 

   The blisters have broken. You need to protect the cold sore from getting infected. Use a bandage or gauze to gently cover the wound. Make sure the tape doesn't touch the blister.
   • Change the bandage once a day, or every time it gets wet or dirty.
   • If the blister is on your foot, wear socks and choose comfortable shoes. Don't add irritation by walking back and forth in shoes that initially caused your skin to blister.
   • If the blister is on your hands, you should wear gloves when doing daily household chores like washing dishes or cooking. Do not repeat work that caused blisters in your hands.
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Method 3 of 4: Seek medical attention

1. 

   Consider consulting a doctor for large blisters. Large, painful blisters that are hard to reach may need medical attention. Your doctor has a sterile device to drain the fluid. This ensures hygiene and disinfection of the wound before you leave the clinic.

2. 

   See your doctor if the blister becomes infected. Infected cold sores carry the risk of more serious problems, so it's best to see your doctor for the proper check-ups and advice on how to treat them. Your doctor may wash the wound and cover it with a bandage, and then prescribe an antibiotic for you. Signs of infection include:
   • Redness, itching, and swelling around the blister.
   • Yellow pus appears underneath a piece of skin above a flat blister.
   • The skin around the blister feels warm to the touch.
   • Red streaks radiating from the wound.

3. 

   Seek emergency medical attention if symptoms are severe. In rare cases, an infected blister can lead to bigger problems as the infection spreads to the entire body. You need immediate medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
   • High fever
   • Chills
   • Vomit
   • Diarrhea
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Method 4 of 4: Prevent blistering

1. 

   Wear gloves when working by hand. Blistering is mainly caused by repeated, frictional movements. Wearing gloves before work will reduce friction and can prevent blisters from appearing.
   • For example, when you use the shovel for a long time, the shovel handle will be rubbed many times in the same place. However, the gloves you wear while using the shovel will provide cushioning for your hands and prevent blistering.

2. 

   Wear suitable footwear. New shoes or shoes that do not fit properly can cause blistering, especially on the toes and heels. To avoid blistering, make sure you choose shoes that fit. Stretch new shoes by wearing them often, but only for a short time. This will allow the new shoe to stretch without the foot being rubbed for too long enough to cause the skin to blister.

3. 

   Protects skin areas that will be rubbed constantly. If you know in advance that your shoes will cause blisters on your feet or if you are about to engage in an activity that could cause skin blisters, take the initiative to protect your body. Apply pads to areas that will be rubbed to prevent blisters from forming.
   • For example, you can apply tape to a spot on your rubbed hand when doing a craft project or doing repetitive movements.
   • If your feet are blistering, you should wear 2 pairs of socks to provide extra cushioning for your feet.
   • In drugstores, pads are designed to smoothly line the skin areas on the feet that are often rubbed against the shoes. These pads are called "moleskin" patches, which are usually attached to the skin to hold them in place.

4. 

   Reduces friction between skin surfaces. Use lotion, powder, or oil wax to reduce the friction between the two skin surfaces. For example, if your thighs are constantly rubbing together, apply Vaseline cream to the affected area so that it doesn't create the friction and heat that can cause blistering.
   • For example, long-distance cyclists often experience rubbing their skin, leading to the development of blisters. Lubricant products applied between the rubbed skin areas can help reduce discomfort and reduce the blistering.
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