Water blisters are caused by friction or heat and contain clear liquid under the skin. They can be prevented by wearing well-fitting shoes, using protective gloves, and avoiding exposure to excess heat. Piercing the blister is not recommended, and it is best to apply a soothing lotion and cover it with a sterile bandage.
Water blisters are rashes on the skin’s surface that contain a clear liquid just under the skin. Similar in nature to a blood blister, a water blister is usually caused by applying too much friction to the skin or by touching extremely hot objects. While a blister of this type is sometimes painless, there is often at least some pain and tenderness in the general area of skin where the blister develops.
One of the most common ways to develop a water blister is by wearing shoes that don’t fit well on the foot. As the shoe material rubs against the surface of the foot, the resulting friction will irritate the skin. As part of the natural reaction, the body’s defenses will begin to collect fluid at the area of irritation as a means of protecting the tissue beneath the epidermal layer. It is not unusual for foot blisters to develop within hours in these conditions.
Along with the feet, it is very common to experience a water blister on the hands. In some cases, the blister occurs due to manual work. For example, an individual who is not used to working with a shovel may find that a water bubble develops in the area between the thumb and forefinger, where the handle of the shovel rubs against the hand while digging.
A water bubble can also develop from exposure to excess heat. Careless cooks who grip the handle of a pan or pot without using an oven mitt or other protection can suffer a burn that turns into a water blister. Generally, there is a combination of pain from the burn and some discomfort from the presence of the blister itself.
There are several ways to prevent water bubbles from developing. As for footwear, it’s a good idea to buy shoes that fit right. If possible, stretch the shoe slightly before wearing it for extended periods of time. To protect your hands while gardening, wear protective gloves that minimize friction between your skin and the tools used in the process. When cooking, always wear protective gloves when removing cookware from the oven or lifting a pot or pan from the eye of the stove.
One of the most common mistakes people make when dealing with a water blister is piercing the skin to allow excess water to drain out. This can be dangerous, as the underlying tissue layers are no longer protected from the water and can become prone to infection. In most cases, it is recommended to apply a soothing lotion to the blister and cover it with a sterile bandage. Over the course of several days, the body will reabsorb the underlying fluid and the raised area of skin will dry out and eventually flake off on its own.
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