At one point or another, we have all probably had a blister filled with fluid between layers of skin. Blisters commonly occur on the hands and feet but can appear anywhere on the body where something causes damage to your outermost layer.
This article explores the most common causes of blisters and natural blister treatments for the next time you develop this common skin condition.
What Causes Blisters?
There are three main causes of blisters: friction, pinching, and heat. Friction blisters are caused when something rubs against the skin, often on the hands from doing manual labor or on the feet from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Blisters can also be caused when something pinches the skin and brings blood up to the surface, which pools between skin layers and forms a blister.
Blisters also form after the skin is burned by the sun or another heat source. Blistering is a symptom of a second-degree burn and is also possible after the skin warms up from frostbite. Other causes of blisters include exposure to bacteria or a virus, contact with a poisonous plant, eczema, or an allergic reaction to something that triggers an overactive immune reaction.
Why Blisters Form
Blisters are the skin’s natural reaction to stress on the skin’s surface. The outermost layer of skin is susceptible to tearing away from the layers underneath, which prompts fluid from the cells to fill the gap created between these layers. The fluid is necessary for new skin growth and regeneration. Usually, over the course of a couple of days, the fluid is reabsorbed as new cells develop and the swelling goes down. When the damage goes deeper than just the outermost layer of skin and next to nerve endings, blisters become more painful.
Natural Treatment for Blisters
Most blisters will heal on their own with no treatment at all once new skin develops under the blister and the fluid absorbs back into the skin. But there are things you can do to make living with a blister more comfortable and heal as quickly as possible.
It may be tempting to pop a blister, but this is not typically recommended since that fluid bubble is what protects the open wound from infection. If a blister is very large, painful, or in an area of the body that you can’t use properly while swollen, it may be beneficial to drain the blister by poking a few holes around the edge of it with a disinfected needle and keeping as much of the skin in place as possible while allowing the fluid to drain. A popped blister should be covered with ointment and bandaged to keep it clean and press tightly to the skin.
But if you can avoid popping a blister, do so. Simply keep the area clean with soap and warm water, apply an antibacterial cream or ointment to the area, and cover it with a bandage that you change at least once daily. Aloe vera can be used on blisters to reduce inflammation and stimulate wound healing. Seagate OliveViate is a homeopathic remedy and topical treatment that you can use for a variety of skin rashes and irritations. The olive and coconut oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and natural vitamin E our remedy contains provide excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant protection for the skin. Other natural remedies to try for blister relief include tea tree and eucalyptus oil, green tea, petroleum jelly, lemon balm, and calendula.
If your blister expands into a full rash or is accompanied by a fever, it may be time to call a doctor for medical advice. Although not all blisters are preventable, many of them can be prevented by wearing comfortable footwear and work gloves for protection.