Foot blisters are caused by friction between the skin and shoes or socks. Properly fitting shoes and socks can prevent them. Covering blisters with a bandage and padding pressure points can help. Infected blisters require medical attention. Foot pads and home remedies can also provide relief.
Foot blisters are typically caused by skin rubbing against the inside surface of a shoe or socks rubbing against damp skin. The injured skin then fills with straw-colored fluid and eventually heals after about a week. Make sure your shoes fit properly, and wearing socks with your shoes can help prevent blisters on your feet. Covering the foot blister with a bandage should be done at the first sign to keep dirt and bacteria out. A small amount of antibiotic ointment may also be placed on the bandage pad to prevent infection after the bladder ruptures.
As the blister begins to heal, the bandage can be removed to expose the blister to air, which will facilitate healing. When wearing shoes, padding pressure points with cotton balls can help reduce friction and reduce the risk of further injury. It is generally not recommended for a person to drain the blister, however, if attempting to do so, the needle and skin should be sterilized with rubbing alcohol. It was common practice to hold a needle under a match or lighter to sterilize it, but this should be done with caution to avoid burns. After the needle has been sterilized, the blister can be gently pricked to allow the liquid to escape.
Rarely, foot blisters can become infected, characterized by pain, inflammation, and pus forming at the site. Infected foot blisters require attention from a doctor, who may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics. Severe foot blister infections can produce body-wide symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and nausea, and when noticed, these symptoms require prompt evaluation and treatment.
Foot pads can be purchased at most drug stores that can relieve the pressure and friction of tight shoes. These gel filled pads act as shock absorbers. Even some brands of athletic shoes feature gel pads, strategically placed around pressure points in the shoe, such as the back and sides of the shoes.
Getting blisters on your feet during the summer is common. Wearing flip-flops can create extreme friction between your first and second toes, causing blisters to form quickly. These blisters are typically painful and can take weeks to heal. A blister sufferer should not wear similarly styled flip flops or sandals and should treat the blisters with home remedies to allow the blisters to heal without incident.
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