Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: How to Treat a Blister
• Part 2 of 2: How to prevent blistering

A blister is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.Blisters often form on the palms after hard work in the yard or garden as a result of prolonged rubbing of the hands against an object, such as a rake or shovel. These blisters are very painful and uncomfortable. In this article, you will find tips on what to do to heal the blister as soon as possible.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: How to Treat a Blister

1. 1 Do not open the blister. If the blister is opened, dirt and bacteria can enter through the hole in the skin. As a result, you risk getting an infection. In addition, a very sensitive, not yet healed inner layer of the skin will be exposed. Instead, you can:
   • Rinse the area gently with warm water and soap. It is very important to wash away dirt and bacteria from both the blister itself and the surrounding skin. If the blister does open, you are less likely to get an infection.
   • Cover the blister with adhesive tape. This will reduce the painful sensations of touching your hand.
2. 2 If you do intend to open the blister, disinfect it first. Before piercing the bladder, wash and disinfect the skin around it. This will reduce the risk of infection. You can:
   • Wash blister with warm water and soap. You don't need to rub the blister to avoid irritating it. Simply place your hand under the water and gently rinse the blister to remove dirt, sweat and bacteria.
   • Treat the area with iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol to kill any remaining bacteria. Use a clean cotton swab to gently rub the blister and small area around it.
3. 3 Drain the blister. By draining the blister, you can get rid of the fluid without exposing the wound or risking infection. This can be done with a sterilized sewing needle.
   • Wash the needle with soap and water. Then wipe the needle with rubbing alcohol to kill any bacteria on it. Since alcohol evaporates very quickly in the air, it is best to moisten a cotton swab with it, and then wipe the needle.
   • Slowly and gently poke a tiny hole in the edge of the blister. You need to make a hole in the layer of skin that is above the accumulated liquid. Fluid will gradually drain out of the hole.
   • Do not remove the skin that is on top of the blister. It is needed to protect the bottom layer of sensitive and irritated skin.
4. 4 Clean the blister and cover it with a bandage. Once you pierce the blister, it literally becomes an open wound through which dirt and bacteria can enter the body. To minimize the risk of infection, you need to:
   • Wash off any fluid that has flowed out of the blister. Place your hand under warm water and wash gently with soap and water.
   • Gently apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment to the drained blister. They can be bought at any pharmacy without a prescription.
   • Cover the blister with adhesive tape. Be careful not to stick the tape to the skin covering the blister. Otherwise, you can peel it off when you remove the adhesive tape.
   • Better to use a square-shaped adhesive plaster rather than a strip. If the adhesive part is not on two, but on four sides, this will allow hermetically to close the dressing and better protect the wound.
5. 5 Change the band-aid every day. Carefully remove the band-aid, apply a new layer of ointment, and re-seal the blister. After a few days, the skin underneath will heal and you can gently cut off the flap of dead skin that covers the wound. This can be done with scissors sterilized with alcohol. Check the wound for signs of infection each time you change the band-aid. See your doctor if you notice any of the following:
   • Over time, redness, swelling, pain increased, the area became hot.
   • Pus oozes from the wound. This does not mean the liquid that will flow out of the blister if you do open it.
6. 6 If the blister is filled with blood, apply cold. If the blister is filled with blood and hurts, do not open it.To avoid infection, the blister must heal on its own. Ice can help reduce soreness:
   • Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel and place it on the blister for 20 minutes.
   • If you can't attach an ice pack, you can use a towel wrapped bag of frozen peas or corn.
7. 7 See your doctor if you suspect the blister is due to something more serious. Sometimes blisters can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction or infection. Be sure to check with your doctor if you suspect the blister is due to:
   • Burn, including sunburn
   • Allergic reaction to a drug
   • Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema
   • Infections such as chickenpox, shingles, herpes, impetigo

Part 2 of 2: How to prevent blistering

1. 1 Wear gloves if you plan to use your hands. Gloves can help reduce friction between the palms, so wear them when doing various types of work in the home or yard:
   • Raking the leaves
   • Shovel snow
   • Do gardening
   • Rearranging furniture or dragging other heavy objects
2. 2 Apply a bandage over the area where the blister appears. This will help reduce friction and irritation in the area. Also, wear gloves to create an extra layer of protection.
   • Use moleskin or other soft cloth. You can look for something similar in pharmacies.
   • Fold moleskin or similar cloth in half.
   • Cut a semicircle along the fold of the fabric. The cutout should be the same diameter as the area you want to protect.
   • Open the fabric. In the center, you will have a small, round hole that is the same size as the area where the blister appears.
   • Attach the moleskin to the palm of your hand so that the sensitive area is in the middle of the cut hole. The surrounding fabric will protect the area from chafing and prevent blistering.
3. 3 Increase the load gradually. When playing a sport that involves constant strong friction of your hands, increase the load gradually. This is necessary so that calluses can form on the palms. Calluses are hard patches of skin that protect the softer skin underneath. If you feel that a blister is developing, you should stop exercising and rest your hands. You can resume your workout only if the skin on your palms no longer hurts. Most often, blisters form when engaging in such sports:
   • Rowing
   • Gymnastics
   • Weightlifting
   • Horseback riding
   • Mountaineering