Infection or skin problems can cause blisters. The most common skin problems causing blisters include-burns, contact dermatitis, impetigo, frostbite, eczema, and chickenpox. Blisters are normally painful, annoying, or uncomfortable. But mostly, they aren’t a symptom of anything serious and heals without any medical intervention. If you experience unexplained blistering on your skin, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis.
What are blisters?
Blistering skin disorders
A blister, which is also known as vesicle by medical professionals, is a skin portion that is raised and fluid filled. You’re probably familiar with blisters if you ’ve worn shoes that do not fit well for long. This causes blistering producing vesicles when friction between skin and the shoes resulting in layers of separated skin and filling with fluid.
Conditions that cause blisters
Blisters can be caused by infection, friction, or, in rare cases, a skin condition. Here are possible causes of blisters.
Cold sores
Red, painful, fluid-filled blister that appears around the lips and mouth. The affected area will often itch or burn before the sore appears Outbreaks might also be accompanied by mild, flu-like symptoms such as low fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes
Herpes simplex
The viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause genital and oral lesions. These painful blisters occur in clusters or alone and weep clear yellowish fluid and then crust over. Other signs also include mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache, body aches, and low appetite. Blisters may reappear in response to stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure.
Genital herpes
This is a disease transmitted sexually (STD) caused by the HSV-1 and HSV-2. It breeds herpetic sores, which are painful blisters that are fluid-filled bumps that can break open thus oozing fluid. The infected site often starts to tingle, or itch, before the real blisters appear. Symptoms include mild fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, and headaches.
Genital herpes
Most common in infants and children. The rash is often located in areas around the mouth, nose, and chin. Signs and symptoms of impetigo involve red, blistered sores that quickly pop, ooze for a few days and then develop a yellowish-brown crust. The sores normally occur around the nose and mouth but can be spread to other parts of the body by fingers and clothing. Itching and soreness are generally mild. A less common form of this disorder, called bullous impetigo, features larger blisters that form on the body of infants and young children. A more severe form of impetigo, called ecthyma, penetrates deeper into the skin, resulting in painful fluid- or pus-filled blisters that turn into deep skin ulcers.
Burns
This condition is normally considered a medical emergency. Urgent care might be required. Both size and depth classify the severity of burns.
- First-degree burns feature minor swelling and red, dry, tender skin that turns white when pressure is applied to it.
- Second-degree burns feature clear, very painful, weeping blisters and skin that appears red or has variable and patchy coloration.
- Third-degree burns feature dark brown/tan or white, which appears leathery hence low or no sensitivity.
Contact dermatitis
Appears hours to days after having come into contact with allergens. Rash has visible borders and develops where your skin touched the irritating substance. Skin is red, itchy, raw or scaly. Blisters that weep ooze, and grow crusty.
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is an inflammation or sore on the inside of the mouth or lips that can be caused by stress, infection, injury, sensitivity, or other diseases. The two main forms of stomatitis are aphthous stomatitis also known as a canker sore and herpes stomatitis, also referred to as a cold sore. Herpes stomatitis symptoms include body aches, fever, painful, swollen lymph nodes, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) in the mouth or on the lips that pop and ulcerate. With aphthous stomatitis, ulcers are oval or round with a red, inflamed border and yellow or white center.
Frostbite
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care might be needed. Frostbite is normally caused by extreme cold damaging a body part. Common parts affected by frostbite include fingers, nose, toes, cheeks, ears, and chin. Symptoms include numb, prickly skin that may appear yellow or white and feel hard or waxy. Severe frostbite symptoms include skin blackening, complete loss of sensation, and fluid- or blood-filled blister.
Shingles
A very painful rash that may burn, itch, or tingle, even if there are no blisters. A rash consisting of clusters of fluid-filled blisters that puncture easily weeping fluid. The rash appears in a linear stripe pattern that appears mostly on the torso, but may appear on other body parts, like the face. The rash may be accompanied by chills, low fever, headache, or fatigue
Dyshidrotic eczema
With this skin disorder, itchy blisters form on the soles of the feet or the palms. Its underlying cause is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to allergies, such as hay fever, etc. The epidermis on the hands or feet can become itchy. Fluid-filled blisters emerge on the feet, toes, fingers, or hands. Other signs and symptoms include dry, red, scaly skin with deep cracks.
Pemphigoid
Pemphigoid disease is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by a malfunction of the immune system whose outcome is rashes and blistering on the legs, arms, mucous membranes, and abdomen. Many types of pemphigoid vary based on where and when the blistering occurs. A red rash often develops before the blistering starts. These blisters are thick, large, and filled with a fluid that’s normally clear but may sometimes contain some blood. The skin surrounding the blisters may appear normal, or slightly red or darker. Any ruptured blisters and the surrounding areas are sensitive and painful.
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is another rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, nasal region, eyes, genitals, anus, and lungs. Painful, itchy skin blisters form in these areas that pop and bleed easily. Blisters in the mouth and throat can cause pain especially when swallowing and eating.
Allergic eczema
The affected skin resembles a burn. It often occurs on hands and forearms or areas in contact with irritants or allergens. Tet skin is itchy, red, scaly, and looks raw. The blisters weep, ooze, or become crusty
Chickenpox
This contagious disease manifests clusters of red, itchy, fluid-filled blisters in different stages of healing all over the body. The patient develops a rash with fever, body aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite. This disease remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over.
Erysipelas
This disease is a bacterial infection of the epidermis caused by group A Streptococcus bacterium. Symptoms include fever; generally feeling unwell; chills; a red, swollen, and painful area of skin with a raised edge; blistering on the affected area; and swollen glands.
Dermatitis herpetiformis
This disease is an itchy, blistering, burning skin rash that forms on the scalp, knees, elbows, back, and buttocks. It is a symptomatic indicator of autoimmune gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Symptoms include very itchy blister bumps that look like pimples filled with clear liquid that form and heal in waxing and waning cycles. These symptoms can be managed by sticking to a gluten-free diet.
Epidermolysis bullosa
Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of genetic ailments that cause the skin to be very fragile and blister easily. The blisters and skin erosions develop in response to minor injury or friction, like scratching. Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is the major form of this condition. Signs and symptoms vary extensively among affected individuals. In moderate cases, blistering may primarily hit the hands, feet, knees, and elbows. Severe instances of this disease involve widespread blistering that can cause vision loss, disfigurement like the fusing of fingers, and other serious medical problems.
Other causes of blistering
Friction
Any repetitive friction or rubbing can result to blisters. These blisters will typically appear on the hands or feet, as these are the regions that most frequently encounter repetitive abrasion, whether running, walking, or playing the drums. Regions of skin with a thick horny layer, attached tightly to underlying structures (such as palms of hands and soles of feet) have high chances of generating blisters. Blisters happen more readily in case the conditions are warm, for instance, inside a shoe. They also develop more quickly in damp states, compared with wet or dry conditions. Blisters can cause more severe medical problems such as ulceration and infection, even though, under normal conditions, this is not common.
Temperature extremes and blisters
The timing of blister development helps categorize burns. Second-degree burns will blister promptly. However first-degree burns blister a couple of days after the event. At the different end of the spectrum, frostbite also causes blisters. In both situations, the blister is a defense mechanic deployed to protect lower levels of skin from temperature-related harm. To know more about burn blisters and frostbite check above.
Chemical exposure
Skin can occasionally blister as a result of certain chemicals. It can affect some people in contact with the following:
- beauty products
- soaps
- solvents
- nickel sulfate, utilized as a part of the electroplating
- Balsam of Peru, a flavoring
- insect pest bites and stings
- chemical warfare agents, such as mustard natural gas.
Smashing and pinching
In case a small bloodstream vessel near the surface of the epidermis is burst, bloodstream can leak out into the space between the layers of the skin leading to a bloodstream blister to develop. This is a blister stuffed with blood.
Treatment for blisters
Blisters due to friction
Blistering caused by friction, allergens, and burns is a temporary reaction to stimuli. In these circumstances, the best treatment is to avoid what is making your skin to blister. If you let them be, they will go away, and the top layers of skin will prevent infection. If you know the cause of your blistering, you may be able to treat it by covering the blister with bandages to keep it protected. Eventually, the fluids will drain back into the skin tissue, and the blister will disappear. You shouldn’t pop a blister unless it is excruciatingly painful or causing discomfort, as the skin over the fluid guards you against infection.
Prevention of friction blisters
For the most common blisters — those caused by friction on the skin of your feet — you can:
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
- If you plan to be walking for a while, use thickly cushioned socks or insoles to reduce friction.
- As you walk, you can feel when a blister is beginning to form. Stop and shield this area with moleskin or a bandage to prevent further friction.
Blisters due to infections or other conditions
The blisters resulting from infections are also temporary, but they need treatment. If you suspect that you have some infection, you should see your healthcare provider for appropriate treatment. In addition to medication, your healthcare provider can also give you something to heal the symptoms. Some diseases that can cause blisters, like pemphigus, don’t have a cure. A doctor can prescribe treatments that will help manage the symptoms. This can include steroid creams for the skin rashes or antibiotics for the infections.
Prognosis for blisters
In most instances, blisters aren’t part of a life-threatening condition. Most will disappear without treatment but will cause you pain and discomfort in the meantime. The number of blisters you have, and whether these have popped or have gotten infected, is significant in the outlook of your condition. If you cure an infection causing blisters, your outlook is good. For rare skin ailments, how well therapies work will depend on the individual and how severe the disease is.
Avoiding blisters on the feet
Wear well-fitting, comfortable footwear, and clean socks. Stiff, badly fitted or stiff shoes, such as high heels, have a higher risk of blistering. Moist skin blisters faster, so socks that manage moisture or occasional sock changes can help prevent blistering.
During exercise and sports, specially designed sports socks can decrease the amount of available foot sweat.
Sufficient breaking in walking or hiking boots before embarking on a long trek is also essential to prevent blistering.
Using tape, padding, or moleskin to trouble spots can assist prevent blisters from appearing. These products are accessible for purchase online and local stores. Even better are friction-management patches which are rubbed to the inside of shoes. These will prevail in place longer, throughout many changes of insoles or socks.
Avoiding blisters on the hands
When using tools to carry out manual work or playing a sport where holding a bat is essential, wearing gloves will prevent the most of blisters. In some sports, like gymnastics, weightlifting or rowing, taping up the hands is good practice. Besides, talcum powder helps to decrease friction and can be used together with gloves and tape, or as a stand-alone alternative. However, because talcum powder absorbs moisture, it will not work well for an extended period of activity. Even though blisters are a painful annoyance, they do not usually signify any medical problem. By following a few of the basic measures above, blisters can often be prevented.
