What are Skin Blisters?
Skin Blisters are extremely small fluid-filled lesions, which are formed on the outermost layer of the skin whenever there is a cut or break in the skin. Skin Blisters can actually be termed as the body’s defence mechanism to protect the inner tissues from any sort of damage. Skin Blisters tend to form due to repetitive and forceful friction of the skin most commonly seen in people who use their hands and feet in their line of work. Due to this friction, the skin gets irritated and starts to break and peel off. When this happens, the defense mechanism of the body triggers and there is a formation of Skin Blisters on that particular area of irritation.
These blisters may be filled with clear fluid or water and are termed as water filled Skin Blisters while some may be filled with blood and are termed as blood filled Skin Blisters. Some Skin Blisters are filled with pus and are termed as skin abscess. In some cases, Skin Blisters may occur due to allergies or medical conditions like dermatitis, infections, or other autoimmune disorders. It should be noted here that the Skin Blisters should never be popped open as it increases the risk of infection creeping through. Skin Blisters in some cases resolve on their own while in some cases may require excision, but in majority of the cases Skin Blisters go away within a week of its formation.
What Causes Skin Blisters?
There are various reasons as to why Skin Blisters form. Some causes are quite common as mentioned above like constant friction of the skin causing the skin to break in, trauma or injury, and burns, while there are some causes of Skin Blisters that are not so common like an autoimmune cause or an infection causing Skin Blisters like a bacterial, viral or a fungal infection.
Below mentioned are some of the common causes of Skin Blisters:
Trauma: This is perhaps the most common cause of Skin Blisters. In most cases, it is repetitive friction that results in the breaking of the skin and formation of Skin Blisters. As an example, an individual wearing ill fitting footwear which may rub against the foot resulting in friction and when this is done on a daily basis, formation of Skin Blisters occurs. Some of the other types of injury or trauma that may result in the formation of blisters are burns, insect bites, sunburns, exposure to chemicals, soaps and detergent to which an individual is allergic to.
Infections: This is yet another cause of Skin Blisters of which bacterial and fungal infections are the most common types. Impetigo and folliculitis are the two most common bacterial infections, which cause Skin Blisters. Certain viral infections like chickenpox or varicella zoster virus can cause Skin Blisters. Ringworm is one of the most common type of fungal infection, which causes Skin Blisters.
Contact Dermatitis: This condition occurs when the skin comes in contact with certain substances that tend to trigger an allergic reaction. This is seen more in people who are in the chemical industry who are exposed to various type of chemicals and even though they are appropriately protected still sometimes some chemicals seeps in to come in contact with the skin, especially in the hands causing Skin Blisters. Even some types of soaps and detergents and even sweat can result in contact dermatitis causing Skin Blisters.
Atopic Dermatitis: This type of dermatitis is mainly seen in children. It is also known by the name of eczema. This results due to a hypersensitive immune system. This may occur in combination with allergic rhinitis. In this condition, the skin gets abnormally dry, cracking, and swollen and causes Skin Blisters.
Bullous Pemphigoid: This is a rare skin condition which causes formation of Skin Blisters. The most common areas where Skin Blisters develop due to this condition are armpits, abdomen, and inner thighs. It is an autoimmune disorder and is mostly seen in people above age of 60 years old. Treatment for this condition usually involves use of steroids as this is an autoimmune disorder and steroids suppress the immune system. This condition can be particularly dangerous for the elderly populations who already have a compromised immune system and this condition can prove life threatening for them if not promptly treated.
Pemphigus Vulgaris: This condition is also an autoimmune disorder, which affects the skin resulting in formation of Skin Blisters. The most common areas where Skin Blisters can be seen due to this condition are mouth, nose, eyes, and the genital areas. Pemphigus Vulgaris is quite serious and treatment with steroids is recommended.
How to Get Rid of Skin Blisters?
As stated above, Skin Blisters should never be popped open or broken, as it increases the risk of infection and worsens the condition. In majority of the cases, Skin Blisters caused due to an injury or trauma, goes away on their own within a week or two of its formation. In cases if skin blisters do not go away, then a consultation with a physician is required who will drain the blister and then apply some antimicrobial ointment to get rid of skin blisters. Despite formation of skin blisters due to repetitive friction, the individual does not curtail the activities then it becomes much more difficult to treat skin blisters. It is also recommended to keep the affected area clean and dry till the skin blisters go away and clean it with an antibacterial soap in lukewarm water.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Skin Blisters
Below mentioned are some home remedies to get rid of Skin Blisters.
Bandage Protection: Skin Blisters tend to get worse with constant friction with the clothes and exposure to air and other pollutants and hence protecting it with a Band-Aid is quite an effective way to get rid of Skin Blisters faster. Band-Aid reduces friction and protects the Skin Blisters from getting irritated. One just needs to make sure that the sticky ends of the Band-Aid needs to be put closer together, so that the middle part of the Band-Aid rises up which not only protects the Skin Blister, but also allows air to pass through it which facilitates faster healing of the Skin Blisters and allow it to dry up quickly.
Green Tea: This is an effective home remedy to get rid of Skin Blisters. It has anti-inflammatory properties which facilitate healing. You need to first put a couple of tea bags of green tea in boiling water and mix it with a teaspoon of baking soda. Allow the solution to cool down and then soak the Skin Blisters in this solution. You can also use a cloth dipped in the solution and then apply it on Skin Blisters, which are in areas such as the back of the shoulders or arm which are quite difficult areas to soak the solution in.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a natural remedy to treat many ailments and Skin Blisters is one of them. Apple Cider Vinegar contains natural antibacterial properties, which prevents Skin Blisters from getting infected. Alternatively hydrogen peroxide solution can also be used to get rid of Skin Blisters. All you need to do is soak the blisters in Apple Cider Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide.
Castor Oil: This is yet another effective and quite preferred home remedy to get rid of Skin Blisters. All you need to do is apply castor oil over the blisters before going to bed at night and let it stay there for the rest of the night. This will allow the Skin Blisters to dry up quickly and heal.
Aloe Vera Gel: This is yet another effective and popular home remedy to get rid of Skin Blisters due to its anti-inflammatory properties. You just need to apply the gel on the blisters for a few days until the skin blisters become dry and heal up.
How Can One Prevent Skin Blisters?
Minimizing skin trauma and protecting the skin is the most common way of preventing skin blisters. One can utilize simple techniques like wearing thick socks or properly fitting shoes to prevent skin blisters. Wearing gloves at work can do a lot of good in preventing formation of skin blisters. Additionally, wearing sunscreens while out in the sun can help protect the skin and prevent formation of skin blisters.
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