Do Blisters On Your Feet Need To Get Punctured?
Blisters are visible, palpable skin lesions caused by prolonged rubbing, which is why they often form on the feet. In other words, blisters on the feet are fluid-filled sacs. They can also be called bubbles or flittene, when they are smaller.
These are very common injuries, as they can be caused by various factors such as constant friction. In this article we briefly describe them and explain if it is convenient to pierce them to release the liquid contained in them, a rather common practice.
Why do foot blisters form?
A blister forms due to a skin change. It can occur as a result of prolonged friction, heat or skin diseases. They often form because the skin is subject to constant friction. For example, when the shoes are not the right size and rub on a part of the foot. Other causes include:
- Sunburn
- Freezing
- Eczema
- Allergic reactions
- Autoimmune diseases such as bullous pemphigoid
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Infections such as varicella-zoster and herpes simplex
- Skin infections, including impetigo
Symptoms
Blisters on the feet usually cause pain and the skin becomes red and irritated. If they rupture, they can become infected, i.e. pus forms and severe burning and pain are felt. In some cases, you may also have a fever. On top of that, since blisters on the feet usually appear due to uncomfortable footwear, they are bothersome when walking.
Treatment
The blisters heal on their own, so no medications are needed. After a few days, the liquid is reabsorbed and the skin dries. It is important to prevent them from bursting to reduce the risk of infection.
As a general rule, blisters should not be punctured. As already mentioned, this practice increases the risk of infection and complicates healing. However, if you want to proceed in this direction, you will need to have sterile material and adequate assistance. In any case, the ideal is to cover the area with a plaster or bandage.
It is recommended that you see your doctor if there is pus or if the lesion appears infected. In some extreme cases, the bladder must be surgically removed.
Procedure for draining the blisters
The environment must be as clean and hygienic as possible. The affected area should be washed with soap and water, as well as disinfected with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. You will need to use a sterile needle, that is, it will be immersed in alcohol for a few minutes or heated with a flame.
The bladder should only be punctured once and on one side. Then, it should be pressed lightly with the help of a sterile gauze to let the liquid out. Next, the antiseptic is applied and covered with sterile gauze.
Excess skin does not need to be removed. It is recommended that this procedure be performed only when the blister is very large or painful.
How to prevent foot blisters
Since most blisters are due to rubbing, the following prevention measures are useful:
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. Lacing your shoes well will reduce the friction between the foot and the shoe.
- Always wear socks. If made of nylon, they reduce the humidity of the feet. Likewise, socks that are too worn will be thrown away.
- Protective patches are often useful during a hike or a long walk in general.
- If blisters appear on the hands and are due to manual labor or sports, it is recommended that you wear protective gloves.
In conclusion
It is normal to think of puncturing a blister, yet the ideal is to let them reabsorb on their own. The skin that covers them, in fact, protects against infections. In addition, the liquid contained in them accelerates healing. It is advisable to keep the area well cleaned and disinfected; just wash with warm soapy water.
