Research health conditions Check your symptoms Prepare for a doctor's visit or test Find the best treatments and procedures for you Explore options for better nutrition and exercise Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online ». Sign Me Up. Print This Page Click to Print. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting.
The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Close Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Blisters are also a symptom of some diseases. The blister bubble is formed from the epidermis, the uppermost layer of skin. Its purpose is to protect and cushion the layers below. Blisters can be filled with serum, plasma, blood or pus depending on how and where they are formed.
In this article, we will discuss what blisters are, how they are caused and the best ways to prevent and treat them. There are many activities and ailments that can induce blistering. Below are some of the more common ways that blisters can form. These blisters will usually appear on the hands or feet, as these are the areas that most often encounter repetitive abrasion, whether walking, running or playing the drums.
Areas of skin with a thick horny layer, attached tightly to underlying structures such as palms of hands and soles of feet are more likely to generate blisters. Blisters occur more readily if the conditions are warm, for example, inside a shoe. They also form more easily in damp conditions, compared with wet or dry environments. Blisters can lead to more serious medical issues such as ulceration and infection, although, under normal conditions, this is rare.
The timing of blister formation helps categorize burns. Second-degree burns will blister immediately, but first-degree burns blister a couple of days after the incident. At the opposite end of the spectrum, frostbite also produces blisters.
In both cases, the blister is a defense mechanism deployed to protect lower levels of skin from temperature-related damage. Skin can occasionally blister because of certain chemicals. This is known as contact dermatitis. If a small blood vessel near the surface of the skin is ruptured, blood can leak into the gap between the layers of skin causing a blood blister to form.
This is a blister filled with blood. Other types of blister are named after the condition they are linked to, such as chickenpox and shingles blisters and atopic eczema blisters. The most common type of blister for most individuals is the friction blister. To stop the ice touching your skin directly, place a towel over the affected area before applying the ice pack. Blisters are more likely to develop on moist skin. If you have sweaty feet, wearing moisture-absorbing socks or changing your socks twice a day can help prevent them.
If you play sport or exercise regularly, wearing sports socks or thicker wool socks can help keep your feet dry and reduce your risk of getting a blister. Dusting the inside of your socks with talcum powder may also help. If you're going for a long walk, wear comfortable shoes that fit properly. Brand new shoes that aren't broken in may not be comfortable and may rub. Stop immediately if you feel a hot area on your foot while walking, exercising or playing sport.
If possible, tape some padding over the area. Wear protective gloves when using tools such as shovels or pickaxes, and when doing manual work such as gardening. This will help prevent blisters developing on your hands. Be careful when dealing with heat such as steam, flames or boiling water. Make sure you use the right safety equipment in working environments involving heat or chemicals.
Use sunscreen when in the sun. Keep your skin covered with clothing to avoid getting blisters from sunburn. You should also wear a sun hat. Always wear protective gloves when handling detergents, cleaning products, solvents and other chemicals. Home Illnesses and conditions Injuries Skin injuries Blisters. Blisters See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1.
About blisters 2. Causes of blisters 3. Treating blisters 4. Preventing blisters. About blisters Blisters are small pockets of fluid that usually form in the upper layers of skin after it's been damaged.
Treating blisters Most blisters heal naturally after three to seven days and don't require medical attention. When to see your GP See your GP if you have blisters that: you think are infected are very painful keep coming back An infected blister will be filled with yellow or green pus and may be painful, red and hot. What causes blisters? Here are 16 of the best sunscreens on the market in spray, lotion, and solid forms, and for different needs.
They're tried and true. Everyone can benefit from a good facial cleanser, and many products are specially formulated for dry, sensitive skin. Blue lips are most often caused when something is preventing you from getting enough oxygen into your body. Read on to discover some of the causes of….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Conditions that cause blisters, with pictures. Share on Pinterest. Causes of blisters. Treatment for blisters. Prognosis for blisters. Prevention of friction blisters. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Shuvani Sanyal, MD.
Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Recognizing and Treating Common Foot Problems.
0コメント