Blisters: Cause And Treatment

Blisters appear as a peeled off skin to expose the underlying flesh. They are painful to touch and create discomfort. Hands and feet are the most common places for blisters to appear.

Blisters are more common in moist weather. Also, they tend to occur more on moist hands than on a dry skin. If left untreated the blisters may develop into foot or hand ulceration. The risk increases in case of diabetic patients, patients of neuropathy and peripheral artery diseases because here the sensation of circulation and “touch” may be impaired in certain area.

Causes of Blisters

Frostbite on hands and feet may give rise to blisters due to damaged skin. People working in extreme temperatures tend to develop blisters. Also, blisters may occur as result of first and second degree burns.

Blisters may appear in case of contact dermatitis. In this, if the skin comes in contact with any cosmetic, solvent or detergent such that it reacts adversely to give rise to blisters.

If the skin is aggressively squeezed, the blood vessel may rupture and leak its contest within other layers of the skin. Such a blister is called blood blister. Blisters may also appear in response to a bug or bee bite.

Diseases that May Cause Blisters

Sometimes, appearance of blisters suggests development of some disease. For example, bulbous pemphigoid is a skin disease in which blisters appear tightly filled on any part of the body. These usually occur in people above 60 years of age.

Chronic bullous dermatosis is characterized by group of blisters on face and genitals. Itchy blisters develop on buttocks, knees, elbows and back in dermatitis herpetiformis. One very rare and serious condition is pemphigus. In this, the skin is so sensitive that blisters appear by just applying normal pressure. The blisters leave the skin exposed and thus easily available for infection.

Treatment

For blisters that are result of any disease one must seek treatment from a physician for them. Here is a remedy for the normal blisters. Put the bandage on the blister in such a way that it appears as a tent for it. Place the sides to touch the skin on either sides of the blister, raising the centre of the bandage. This will let fresh air passes by the blister and promote faster healing.