Dermatology-Online

Blisters on the foot - causes, treatment & more

definition

Blisters are changes in the skin that can occur if there is unusual pressure or friction. The feet in particular are predestined for the appearance of blisters, the causes can be different. Blisters on the foot are mostly the result of mechanical friction, but there are also less common causes of blisters on the foot. Blisters on the foot can also present themselves differently in terms of size and texture.

causes

Blisters on the foot usually occur as a result of mechanical stress. This includes an unusually long load, such as long running marches, but also wearing new shoes for the first time. The footwear in particular is crucial for the appearance of blisters. As a rule, every new shoe can cause blisters, but especially sandals, shoes with heels or shoes in general with point loads.

Moisture can increase the risk of blisters on your foot. Dry, well-padded, worn-in shoes in combination with frictionless socks usually do not cause any problems under normal stress. As a rule, the feet are protected from chemical stress, unlike the hands, by footwear, but walking barefoot can be a risk factor for contact with chemicals or for infections.

A blister on the foot must be differentiated from warts, which are also very common on the foot.

For more information about warts, also read our article about Warts!

diagnosis

The diagnosis of a blister on the foot is usually a visual diagnosis; it can initially also be expressed by pain in the affected foot. Mechanical blisters usually occur in the stressed areas, as this is a reaction of the skin to "cushion" the excessively stressed area.
The anamnesis also leads to the diagnosis of a bladder on the foot; those affected usually describe long hikes, other intense sporting activities, wearing new shoes or the like.

Pictures of those affected

Symptoms

A blister on the foot can be associated with pain that can make even running and walking torture. Before the blistering, the affected area is often reddened and painful, later a fluid-filled skin protrusion forms.
Blisters occur on the foot, preferably on the heel, on the sole or in the area of the toes. The bladders can be filled with clear liquid, and more rarely blood and pus are added. If the bladder is opened, pathogens can enter and lead to inflammation. The pain is severe and the bladder may fill with pus. How long the bladder lasts depends on how irritated the area is. Pricking a blister should be avoided as much as possible, as it usually leads to a prolonged healing process. After healing, a thicker cornea forms on the affected area to protect against renewed friction.

For more information, also read our article Blisters, calluses and corns in sports!

Pain

Even before the blister appears, the affected person feels uncomfortable friction. The skin has many sensitive nerve endings and injuries can cause severe pain. Blisters on the foot can be very painful, especially because it is difficult to immobilize and cover the affected area to protect it.
Topical ointments can be used for relief, blister plasters help with padding.

Pathogens can enter and infect the wound, especially if a bladder is opened through improper manipulation. The layers of skin below the top layer are very sensitive to pain. Piercing of blisters should generally be avoided and only be done by an experienced doctor if there is no way around it. If a bladder has become infected and the pain is very severe, a doctor should be consulted.

itching

A blister is created by rubbing the skin, causing minor injuries to the skin and causing a local reaction. On the one hand, this consists in the formation of a blister to cushion the affected area. On the other hand, a large number of defense reactions can be activated, especially if pathogens get into the wound. In particular, the substance histamine, which is released by the body during inflammatory reactions, can lead to unpleasant itching. It is important not to touch or scratch the affected area, as further pathogens can penetrate and the damaged skin can become infected.

What you can do about itching can be found in our article Itchy skin - what to do? read up.

Pus formation

Pus arises as part of inflammatory reactions and consists of melted tissue and immune cells. Inflammation of a blister on the foot usually results from opening the affected area. Blisters should therefore not be punctured! If the wound becomes inflamed, the yellowish pus appears and there is severe reddening and pain in the injured skin area.

Open blisters should be thoroughly disinfected and covered; the top layer of skin should never be removed. Larger blisters should only be punctured by a doctor using a sterile needle to allow the fluid to drain. Purulent infections should be assessed by a doctor. Here, too, it may be necessary to empty the bladder. In rare cases, a prescription of an antibiotic may also be required. Most of the time, however, the proper emptying of the purulent bladder and the application of an ointment will help. A doctor's visit is inevitable if you experience a fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, or discoloration of the affected limb. Although very rarely, pathogens can pass into the blood and cause a serious systemic inflammatory reaction called blood poisoning.

You can read about which homeopathic remedies you can use against pus in our article Homeopathy for skin diseases with the appearance of pus!

Blood poisoning

The blood poisoning, too sepsis, is a systemic reaction of the body to infection with pathogens, mostly bacteria. Sepsis can also occur with skin wound infection, if pathogenic agents enter the bloodstream and cause an immune reaction there.

In theory, an infected blister on the foot can also lead to blood poisoning. As a rule, however, such injuries heal without serious consequences. Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted if the bladder is severely infected. The signs of blood poisoning include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or discoloration of the affected area. A doctor must be consulted at the latest with these symptoms. Blood poisoning is a serious reaction that can be fatal.

You can find out how to recognize blood poisoning in our article Symptoms of Blood Poisoning!

Blistering despite callus

If there are recurring stresses in one place or a certain zone, the body forms calluses in response to this in order to protect itself from further skin damage. Bubbles then no longer appear as quickly, but they cannot be ruled out either. Particularly unusually long loads can also lead to blisters in keratinized areas. These lie a little deeper in the skin and are sometimes very painful. However, they should never be pricked. If you have blisters under the cornea, you should also use blister plasters to protect the area and wait for the blister to dissipate.

You can find out how you can effectively treat calluses on your feet in our article This is how you fight the calluses on your feet effectively!

treatment

In order to avoid the appearance of a blister, you should be careful to wear new shoes only for a short time. Even for longer marches or sporting activities, shoes should be worn in beforehand and be as comfortable and well-padded as possible. Special sports socks can also prevent blistering. It's also important to keep your feet dry as moisture encourages blistering.

As soon as you notice that there is friction on your foot, you can put blister plasters on the affected area. These are available in pharmacies or drugstores and cushion the area. Blisters usually resolve on their own and no special treatment is required. If possible, you should let air into the bladder, e.g. wear sandals. Otherwise, the bladder must be well protected, for example with blister plasters.

Should you puncture blisters on the foot?

Blisters are usually filled with fluid and can grow to a size that is bothersome and painful for those affected. Generally, a blister heals on its own.
It is not necessary to pierce and empty the bladder, on the contrary: piercing should be prevented, as pathogens can get into the wound through the puncture site and infect it.

The piercing should, if at all, only be performed by a doctor with sterile needles, after which the area must be covered. The skin over the bladder should not be removed. If the bladder becomes infected on the foot, severe pain may occur, pus or blood may flow out and, in rare cases, severe complications may occur.

Home remedies

Usually, small bubbles will go away on their own when protected from renewed friction. There are numerous home remedies available to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In the case of severe pain and severe infection, however, a doctor should be consulted; an antibiotic ointment or even an oral antibiotic may be necessary here.

Even a simple salt water compress can provide relief. It consists of salt and cold water and is applied to the affected area.
Green tea or chamomile tea, in boiled and cooled tea bags, can also reduce pain and swelling of the bladder.
Tea tree oil is also often used because it has an antibacterial effect. Care must be taken to ensure that the dilution ratio is correct, as tea tree oil has a strong irritant effect and can trigger skin reactions. Applied on a cotton ball, it is pressed onto the affected area for a few minutes, then the area is rinsed off with cold water.
Castor oil also speeds up the healing process.
Zinc ointment or gel containing aloe vera also have a pain-relieving effect

You can also find out how to take good care of your feet at home in our article Do foot care yourself!

Duration

How long a blister stays on the foot depends on its size and the area affected. The feet in particular are constantly under strain, and immobilization is usually difficult. Under good conditions, a blister usually heals within a few days. An infected blister on the foot can cause long-term discomfort. Blisters and foot injuries can take a long time to heal in patients with diabetes. Diabetics should definitely have these injuries examined by a doctor and observed.

Tips on how to properly care for your feet - whether you are diabetic or not - can also be found in our article Tips for correct foot care!

When should you go to the doctor?

A blister on the foot caused by mechanical stress does not usually require medical attention. If complications arise in the course of healing, if the area becomes severely inflamed or painful, a doctor should be consulted. Infected blisters in particular are painful and the healing process is delayed. Although it is a local reaction, serious complications can occur in very rare cases. Theoretically, pathogens can penetrate the bloodstream through the skin injury and cause a systemic reaction. If you have chills, fever, vomiting or discoloration, it is essential to consult a doctor.

Diabetics should definitely have blisters or other foot injuries clarified. They are less sensitive to pain and wounds heal more poorly, which can lead to serious complications.

How quickly does cornea form after a blister?

The keratinization is a natural process of the skin, which is accelerated and intensified in the case of recurring stress. Before a cornea forms on the affected area, the bladder must heal. Therefore, the area should not be further stressed and measures that delay the healing process should be avoided. Under ideal conditions, the blister recedes in a few days and a more cornified upper layer of skin develops, which is supposed to protect against renewed friction.

You can find out which home remedies for calluses on the feet are most effective in our article The best home remedies for calluses on the feet!