What Causes Blisters?

What Causes Blisters? Blisters are usually the result of burns or continuous rubbing or chaffing of the skin. A blister may form when the skin has been damaged by friction, heat, cold or chemical exposure. If you touch something very hot, a little bubble filled with a watery fluid soon forms under the skin. This is a blister.

Sometimes a blister forms when a shoe rubs against a toe or heel. The fluid in the blister is called lymph. The lymph aids in protecting the burned skin and prevent the burn from hurting too much. Covering of a blister protects the tissues beneath if from becoming infected. Therefore, it is best to leave the blister unbroken.

Don’t “pop” the blister; the skin covering the blister helps protect it from infection. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water or a cleansing towel and then apply antibacterial cream. Cover it with gauze and secure with hypoallergenic tape to help protect the skin and prevent infection. Change the dressing at least once a day and wear different shoes until the blister heals. So now we know what causes blisters.

Why do I get blisters so easily? If you have blisters on your feet, friction may be the culprit. Walking or standing for several hours a day puts pressure on the heels, soles, and toes. The longer you’re on your feet during the day, the greater your risk for feet blisters. Of course, not everyone who walks or stands for long periods develops blisters.

Content for this question contributed by Sean Smith, resident of Clark, southern Union County, New Jersey, USA