Healing Blisters

Blisters are not always painful. Their presence is usually felt by unfortunate instances such as burning, freezing, exposure to chemicals or infection. Essentially, blisters are small pockets or lumps of fluid that gather, and develop around the upper layers of the skin. Blisters are characterized by a tender and reddened blotch on one’s skin. There are various kinds of blisters ranging from water blisters to blood and pus filled blisters. Water blisters are commonly noticed on the heel of the foot as a result of friction from new shoes. Burns, allergies to detergents and viruses all propel the onslaught of blisters. On many occasions, these blisters induce itching leading to the unwanted development of open wounds, which are prone to dangerous infections. Hence, it is very important that we speed up the natural healing process so as to narrow down the risk of infections to the maximum. Blisters can indeed heal quickly and effectively, but we have to be very careful while nursing them. Consult this article if you happen to be burdened with blisters of any sort.

How To Heal Blisters

In whichever way you intend to heal your blisters, the one cardinal rule is to always resist the strong temptation to burst the blister open. This will only increase the chances of catching an infection and letting the bacteria in, as the fluid in the blister is bound to absorb back into the skin naturally.
Soak the blister in warm water mixed with salt, and gently cleanse the reddened area. Clean thoroughly so that there is no dirt and irritants near the blisters. Mixing vinegar with warm water or garlic oil makes for a very effective cleansing agent. Alternatively, cooling lubricants like Aloe Vera or vitamin E will speed up the healing. Wet tea bags and ice packs offer excellent pain relief to the area.
New shoes and socks are the standard culprits of blister outbreaks. Protect your feet by using loose bandages or moleskins. Change your socks at least once a day. Prevent all scope of any other surface rubbing against the blister, and it will heal faster than ever. Be patient and wear properly fitting shoes as well as cotton socks.
If the blister starts to drain, safeguard the skin shielding the area. This skin which remains after the fluid drains out acts as a natural band-aid, and hence should never be removed. Never pop your blister by force as this may only hinder the natural healing process of the body. Of course, it may pop accidentally. In those cases, do not panic! It will hurt, but if you leave it untouched, it will gradually heal.
Pad the affected area with a soft dressing or white germ-free gauze, and don’t forget to tape this dressing. Use comfortable shoes, and limit any chances of the skin getting ripped off once you remove the tape. To be on the safe side change the dressing every day. You can also use peroxide topically before applying the dressing.
Apply foot spray deodorant to reduce the sweating of the feet, and sunscreen lotion to protect yourself from the sun, as the sweating and the heat may exacerbate your condition.
Blisters which develop on the fingers from using scissors or hand tools heal naturally, and require no medical treatment. New skin rapidly grows underneath the blister, the lymph fluid in it will reabsorb, and the skin on top will dry, and peel off on its own.
Blisters that have become infected should be treated by a doctor with antibiotics.
For blood blisters, place an ice pack or a pack of frozen peas or corn on the area soon after the blister injury. Before using the ice pack wrap it around a towel since it shouldn’t make direct contact with your skin. Use this ice pack for about 15 to 30 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes between two such successive sessions. Visit your health professional if it gets worse. If the blood blister bursts, keep the area around it clean and dry, and protect it with a sterile dressing to prevent infections.

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