How to treat skin blisters

Skin blisters can be caused by a variety of things from minor injuries, pressure, or even sunburn. If not cared for properly these blisters can become infected which will cause more problems.

The best steps to take once you find a blister is to do the follow.

1. remove clothing from the area
2. clean the skin around the blister
3. let the area dry
4. Cover the blister with a band-aid, surgical tape, or moleskin, which is designed especially for blisters. Moleskin is great as you can cut the shape and size you need in order to cover your blister.
5. Only cover the blister during the day while you are active. If the blister is on your foot wear the protective moleskin during the time you are wearing shoes.
6. At night remove the moleskin so air can hit the blister and aid in healing
7. Do not pop the blister unless it happens to be in an area that causes undue pain such as the bottom of your foot.
8. The main reason to keep the blister covered and not to pop the blister is to ensure you do not develop an infection.

If you do need to pop the blister, there are specific steps you should take in order to ensure you do develop an infection.

1. If the blister is full of fluid, you will need to get a few items ready before you pop the blister.
2. You will need sterile needles, moleskin, gauze, gentle soap and water or betadine, antibiotic ointment
3. Pierce the blister with a sterile needle, as close to the base as you can
4. allow the fluid to drain from the blister using gauze to gently wipe it away from the opening
5. clean the blister with soap and water or betadine
6. do not peel away the skin
7. apply the antibiotic ointment
8. cover with moleskin
9. change the moleskin often and watch for infection

If you must remove the skin, use sterile scissors to cut away the old skin. You can use rubbing alcohol once the blister has healed to toughen up the new skin.