What Causes A Blister?

There are two different types of blisters that are common on the feet. There are blisters filled with blood and blisters filled with clear fluid. You’ve all heard the age old saying of don’t pop a blister, but many of us just don’t listen because it is annoying and just sitting there. The reality is though, there is some truth to this saying. Popping a blister and leaving raw skin open to the environment can lead to infection and a bigger issue than you started with.

So, what exactly is the cause of a blister? The primary cause of a blister is friction and pressure. Ladies, think of when you wear a new pair of heels, if they are too loose they can rub against your heel, and if they are too tight, they can push against your heel. Either way, you can end up with a blister after a long night out on the town. So, what do you do once you have a blister?

If the blister is small, it can resorb on its own. If the blister is larger, it is important for you to see your podiatrist. You don’t want to have a large blister open and exposed to the air, because of the possibility of infection. So, by coming into your podiatrist, your blister can be opened and drained and it can be properly covered and treated.

Blood blisters can be a little different because they result from a blood vessel injury. Think about your toe getting pinched in the door, dropping something on your foot or pinching your skin with a tool. All of these can lead to a blood blister. If you have a blood blister at all, you should seek assistance from your podiatrist. These are not blisters that you want to try and treat on your own.

Now, how can you prevent a blister from forming? If you are wearing new shoes, you may want to put a soft pad in the heel of your shoe to protect it from the hard shell of your shoe. However, if you are wearing too small of a shoe, this can push your foot farther forward and cause your toes to hurt. So, you may want to stick to those old faithful shoes for a long night out and just slowly work in your new ones.

If you or someone you know has a blister, it is important that you see your local podiatrist. If you live in the Lowell or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your calluses. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover and 87 Jackson St, Methuen.