Most blisters recover between three and seven days naturally and do not need medical treatment so there is plenty that you can do. However, there are times when they should be checked by a doctor. Here we give some tips on how to treat blisters and when to call our GP home doctor for blister treatment in Manilva.
Is it a blister?
Blisters are small, fluid-filled bubbles, which can form on the skin's outer layers. They are the way your body protects damaged skin, so leaving them alone is usually the best way to. Blisters are wounds taking time to heal. There are however steps that you can take to reduce pain and discomfort.
The majority of blisters result from friction. They form when something rubs against your skin, like an unfitting shoe or a shovel's handle. Other potentially causing blisters include:
- burns
- sunburns
- frostbite
- eczema
- allergic reactions
- exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac
- viral infections, such as herpes, shingles, or chickenpox
- bacterial infections
How to treat blisters
For a Blister That Has Not Popped
- Try not to have it pop or drain.
- Leave it uncovered or loosely cover it with a bandage.
- Do not try to exert pressure on the area. Place a donut-shaped moleskin on it if the blister is in a pressure region such as the base of the foot.
For a Blister That Has Popped
- Wash away the region with warm water and soft soap. Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine should not be used.
- Smooth down remaining skin flap.
- Use antibiotic ointment over the area.
- Cover the region with a sterile bandage or gauze, loosely.
When to Drain a Blister
To drain a large, painful blister, or at an awkward spot:
- Wash out the zone.
- Sterilize the needle with rubbing water and alcohol.
- Make a small hole to the blister 's edge and squeeze out the fluid gently.
- Rub the blister, then pat dry again. Don't remove the blister over the skin.
- Smooth down flap of skin.
- Apply antibiotic oning.
- Cover the region with a sterile bandage or gauze, loosely.
GP home doctor for blister treatment in Manilva
Most blisters recover between three and seven days naturally, and do not need medical attention.
Call our GP home doctor for blister treatment in Manilva if you have these type of blisters:
- they look infected
- are very painful
- keep coming back
An infected blister fills up with yellow or green pus and can be painful, red and dry.
It is important not to ignore an infected blister because it could potentially lead to secondary impetigo (a skin infection with contagious bacteria) and further complications, such as cellulite or sepsis.
If you have blisters in unusual places, such as on your eyelids or inside your mouth, or if they appear after severe sunburn, burns or scalds or an allergic reaction, or when they come into contact with chemicals or other substances, you should also call our GP home doctor for blister treatment in Manilva.