A friction blister occurs when your skin repeatedly rubs against an object. The result is a raised, fluid-filled bubble on your skin, typically occurring on the hands and feet. Is it better to pop the bubble or leave it alone? It's best to leave the blister alone as it heals. Make sure that you clean the wound and protect it with a bandage.
Friction blisters are quite common and can be annoying and painful. The wound will usually heal within one to two weeks with proper treatment. Read on to learn how to get rid of a blister, including natural remedies.
The skin typically turns red when something repetitively rubs against it and then becomes pale when a clear fluid-filled bump forms. Some of the most common sites for friction blisters include the feet and hands. Friction blisters can occur anywhere on the feet, for example, where shoes rub them in the wrong way.
What Causes a Friction Blister?
Friction blisters develop due to pressure and sheer force on the skin, often when it's moist or damp. Your skin's outer surface separates from the underlying layer of cells, or the stratum spinosum. In other words, a split occurs in the epidermis, your skin's outermost layer. The injured area quickly fills with clear, plasma-like fluid, forming a bubble below the epidermis. The area can sometimes fill with blood if the separation between skin layers goes deep.
Risk Factors
Almost anyone can get a friction blister. People tend to sustain friction blisters while running, walking, or using sports equipment or tools.
Athletes, military service members, and people in certain occupations are likelier to get a friction blister than others. Weightlifters, for example, can get blisters that eventually turn into calluses on their hands.
Other risk factors include:
- Being outside in hot, tropical climates
- Sweating excessively
- Running or walking for prolonged periods
- Wearing tight footwear
What Is a Blood Blister?
You can manage most friction blisters at home. Just keep in mind that it can take a week or two for them to heal.
Here are some ways to treat a friction blister:
- Clean the wound: Wash the area with soap and water, then dab with Vaseline or Aquaphor Healing Ointment before covering it. Petroleum jelly acts as a barrier against infection.
- Do not pop the bubble: Leave the fluid-filled bubble alone if it's still intact. The bubble is like a natural bandage, protecting the wound from bacteria that can lead to infection.
- Pad the area: Affix a donut-shaped cushioning pad so the hole surrounds the blister to ease friction and pressure. Cover the area with a bandage.
- Protect the wound: You can cover a friction blister with a hydrocolloid bandage, which helps with healing and provides a friction-proof barrier. Apply the bandage loosely so the absorbent pad is slightly raised above the injured area.
You might pop the bubble if a friction blister is large, painful, or in a place that interferes with daily activities. Clean the area and use a needle sterilized with rubbing alcohol to gently prick the side of the blister, draining the fluid beneath your skin.
It's best to leave that flap of skin in place to protect the area and then clean and protect the area. You can carefully remove the dead piece of skin by cutting it away with sterilized tweezers or scissors once the area has healed. Apply more ointment and a bandage.
Natural Remedies
You might consider natural remedies to help support the healing process. Here are some natural remedies for friction blisters:
- Aloe vera: Research has shown that aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Aloe vera might also reduce infection risk.
- Calendula: This essential oil, extracted from a marigold plant, helps heal wounds and protects against cell damage. Directly applying essential oils to the skin may lead to contact dermatitis (an itchy rash), so it's best to apply it with a carrier oil.
- Eucalyptus oil: This natural remedy may have antimicrobial properties that help protect you against infection. Again, be sure to use a carrier oil.
- Green tea: Some evidence suggests green tea extract supports the healing process.
- Tea tree oil: This is a traditional antiseptic that helps prevent infection.
Can You Prevent Friction Blisters?
Most friction blisters heal within one to two weeks, assuming you are not repeatedly aggravating the area. Here are some ways to prevent doing so:
- Apply powder or petroleum jelly to areas that are prone to friction blisters.
- Break in your footwear before wearing them for long periods.
- Make sure your shoes or boots fit properly.
- Stop your activity if you notice your skin turning red or you have any discomfort.
- Wear gloves if you get friction blisters from sporting activities or manual labor.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks. Try doubling up if one pair does not keep you dry.
Take it easy on the first day of spring if you have been indoors all winter, Fred Brennan, Jr., DO, a member of the American Board of Family Medicine, told Health. It's best to increase your outdoor activity gradually so your feet adapt.
The resulting wound may be painful, but you can easily manage friction blisters at home. Some blistering can be extensive, and you may need to see a healthcare provider if it becomes infected.
Contact a healthcare provider if you notice symptoms like:
- Draining pus
- Fever
- Health concerns (i.e., circulation problems or diabetes)
- Pain
- Redness around the affected area that feels warm to the touch
- Several blisters that appear without a known cause
- Swelling
A Quick Review
A friction blister can develop if your hands or feet repeatedly rub against a surface, such as poor-fitting footwear or sports equipment. You can prevent friction blisters by breaking in your footwear before wearing them for long periods and wearing gloves and moisture-wicking socks.
Do not pop a friction blister. You can instead treat these blisters at home by cleaning the wound and protecting it with a bandage. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop signs of an infection, such as pain, redness, and swelling.