Page 157 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

FIRST AID 155

Blisters

Usually occurring on the feet and hands, blisters are caused by friction or pressure. First the skin
becomes red and sore, then fluid collects under the surface in a pale, puffy skin sac. You may get
blisters on your heel, sole, or toes from wearing boots or shoes that don’t fit well, or that have not been
“broken in.” Blisters on the hands are often the result of heavy manual work. Most blisters heal quickly:
as new skin grows beneath them, the fluid is reabsorbed and the surface dries and peels away.

Seek medical advice
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Arrange to see a doctor if:
Treating a blister
● You have blisters that were not caused
Treat your blister gently to avoid breaking the skin, and
by friction or pressure and/or you have keep it clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection.
other symptoms
● A blister becomes red, painful, and swollen, Wash the blister
and oozes pus or blood carefully with clean
● You have recurrent blisters or blisters that 1 water. Gently pat
it dry with a clean
heal very slowly
● You have diabetes cotton pad.

What you can do yourself

Use the following procedure to treat your blister. Cover the blister with
Protecting it from further rubbing and friction will an adhesive dressing,
help it heal. 2 making sure that the
pad is bigger than the
● Don’t burst a blister or cut the skin over it. blister. Alternatively,
The skin protects against infection. use a hydrocolloidal
dressing that absorbs
● Clean and dry the blister, and protect it with an fluid from the blister
adhesive dressing (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). and cushions it. For
large blisters, use a
● If the blister bursts, don't pick at any loose skin
sterile dressing secured
around it. Clean, dry, and dress it, as above, and with adhesive tape.
change the dressing daily until it has healed.
Leave the area exposed at night to help it dry out.
PREVENTION

Avoiding blisters The following tips will
help protect feet and hands from friction and pressure.
● Wear well-fitting shoes or boots, and break them
in slowly. Put padding such as moleskin pads on
areas that are likely to rub and develop blisters.
● If you plan to walk long distances, wear close-
fitting synthetic inner socks to prevent friction and
a second pair of socks on top.
● Use protective gloves for heavy manual work.