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What is a blister?
Causes & risk factors
Treatment
If you ignore the blister
Prevention
Other similar conditions
FAQs

What Is A Blister?

A blister is a small fluid-filled sac that looks like a bubble on your skin.

Blisters develop as a result of your skin rubbing against another surface, like the inside of your shoe. These shear forces cause the thin layers of your skin to separate, and the body then fills this gap with fluid, forming the sac that you’ll know well as a blister. 

Interestingly, blisters are actually a defensive response to protect the skin beneath from further damage. Blisters are often painful and can make walking in certain footwear uncomfortable until the blister has healed. 

Causes And Risk Factors

Blisters are very common and can affect anyone, adults and children alike. We often see blisters in those who have worn brand-new shoes for long periods without ‘breaking them in’ or those who choose tight or narrow shoes or damp socks. 

When the skin of the feet continually rubs against a shoe, sock or a hard or rough surface, it irritates the skin in the area and causes the skin layers to separate. Your body fills the space with fluid, and your blister has formed.

The friction that causes the skin layers to separate and blisters to form could be caused by a range of factors, including:

• Footwear that doesn’t fit properly - this includes shoes that are both too big and too small
  
• Having foot conditions like bunions or a Haglund’s deformity
  
• Heat, or moisture from sweating inside a shoe
  
• Prolonged and vigorous exercise (which then leads to heat and moisture)
  
• New shoes that aren’t worn in and rub against the feet
  
• Inappropriate socks for the activity you’re doing
  

Blister Treatment

Should I pop my blister?

We do not recommend popping your blister as this will cause you more pain and leave the wound open to bacteria and infection. Instead, cover your blister with a band-aid or bigger dressing that covers the entire blister and leave it to heal itself. It will usually resolve in a few days once it is covered and the source of friction has been removed. Eventually, the fluid beneath the skin will be reabsorbed by the body and disappear.

It is also important that you remove the cause of friction once the blister has formed. This will allow the painful skin to heal and recover. Yes, that means putting aside those brand new shoes until your blister heals. If your blister does pop, try not to remove the dead skin on top and wash the area gently with water and antiseptic wipes or Betadine. Then, cover with a gauze or a sterile dry bandage that can protect it from further trauma until the fragile skin has healed.

Unless your blister is particularly severe, most blisters will heal without the need to see your doctor or podiatrist. If your blister requires further treatment, we can help by:

• Debriding the surrounding hard skin if any has built up
  
• Identifying the cause of friction and determining ways to remove it and prevent it from recurring in the future
  
• Apply professional safe sterile dressings
  
• Giving advice around appropriate and correct fitting footwear and socks
  

What can happen if I ignore a blister

If you do not remove the cause of friction, a number of things could occur:

• You may develop persistent pain, preventing you from exercise and daily activities
  
• You become vulnerable to infection, especially if you are immunocompromised or a diabetic 
  
• You may experience scarring due to infection or a deeper injury
  

Prevention

There are several approaches you can take to prevent friction blisters. 

• Wear properly fitted shoes to reduce the friction against your skin
  
• If you have sweaty feet, change your socks regularly, as moisture causes friction and rubbing. 
  
• Wear the correct socks for the activity eg. sports socks for sports and training
  
• Wear socks with footwear when possible
  
• Avoid synthetic socks eg. polyester and nylon
  
• Ensure feet remain dry and are dried properly
  

Other similar conditions

There are a number of other common conditions that have similar symptoms to a friction blister. It's important to know these so they are not missed, and if you suspect one of these conditions, it is recommended you visit our clinic or your general practitioner for a second opinion. 

• Impetigo (bacterial infection of the skin)
  
• Contact dermatitis/eczema 
  
• Dermatitis/eczema 
  
• Infection 
  
• Allergies and adverse reactions to medications 
  
• Burns 
  
• Vasculitis 
  
• Foot and mouth disease 
  
• Fungal skin infection
  

FAQs