4 Tips for How to Treat Blisters on Your Feet

A long walk in a new pair of shoes you've been excited to wear left you with an unwelcome souvenir: painful blisters on your feet. These fluid-filled bubbles might be tiny, but they can cause incredible discomfort.

As frustrating as foot blisters can be, they usually heal on their own. But you don't have to grin and bear it. You can take several simple steps to treat blisters on your feet and prevent them from returning.

What causes foot blisters?

The main culprit for foot blisters is friction, which can happen when your shoes rub against your skin. Shoes that are too tight, loose, or brand new can all cause friction.

With constant rubbing, the top layers of your skin can separate. Your body then fills the gap between these separated layers with a clear fluid called serum. This creates the bubble-like appearance known as a blister.

Foot blisters tend to happen on your heels or the soles of your feet. But they can show up anywhere your shoes or socks rub against your skin. Walking or running for long periods, especially without socks, can also increase your chances of developing foot blisters.

It's not just shoes and socks. Other factors can cause foot blisters, such as:

• Heat and moisture from sweaty feet

• Sunburn

• Chemical irritants like harsh soaps or detergents

• Certain health conditions, such as epidermolysis bullosa

How do you treat blisters on your feet?

You've got a blister on your foot. Now what? The good news is that most blisters heal on their own in a few days without medical attention. That fluid bubble is there for a reason - to protect your skin while it mends. In most cases, the best approach is to leave the blister alone and let your body do its thing.

But you can take steps to help the healing process and prevent your blister from becoming a bigger problem. Here's how to treat foot blisters.

1. Protect it

Your blister needs some breathing room to heal properly. You want to protect it from further rubbing and pressure. Start by choosing shoes that don't irritate the blister. This might mean opting for sandals or shoes with a different shape for a few days.

Then, cover the blister with a loose bandage or gauze pad to keep it from popping. Create a cushion around the blister for extra protection, especially in high-pressure areas like the bottom of your foot. You can use moleskin or special blister pads for this job. Here's a neat trick:

• Cut a small hole in a piece of moleskin, just big enough to fit around the blister.

• Place the moleskin with the hole around the blister.

• Once you've got your protective padding in place, cover the whole area with a loose bandage or gauze.

• Try to create a slight tent over the blister to avoid pressing on it. Do this by bringing in the sides of the bandage so the middle is raised a bit.

This method takes the pressure off the sore spot while protecting the surrounding area. Sometimes, the bandage or gauze pad may not stay in place, especially if you're walking or running. So, you might need to try different coverings to find the best fit.

2. Don't pop it

As tempting as it may be to pop an annoying blister, resist the urge. The fluid inside a blister is your body's way of creating a natural cushion to protect the skin underneath while it heals.

When you pop a blister, you open a door for bacteria, which can lead to inflammation or infection. In rare cases, these bacteria can enter your bloodstream, causing serious and life-threatening issues.

3. Keep it clean

Sometimes, foot blisters will burst on their own. If this happens, that's OK. Let the fluid drain and focus on keeping the area clean to avoid a potential infection.

Here's what to do if your blister pops:

• Wash your hands before touching the area.

• Next, gently wash the blister with mild soap and warm water.

• Don't remove the loose skin (often called the "roof" of the blister). It still provides a protective layer for the skin and tissue underneath.

• Pat the area dry with a clean towel.

• Avoid rubbing, as this could cause further irritation.

• Repeat this cleaning process every day and whenever the area gets dirty until healed.

Keeping the surrounding area clean is important even if your blister hasn't popped. When you keep dirt and bacteria away, your blister can heal faster and safer, and you can prevent infection.

4. Apply ointment

After you've cleaned the area, it's time to add an extra layer of protection, especially if your blister popped. This is where petroleum jelly comes into play. It helps keep the area moist, which can speed up healing and make the process more comfortable.

Here's what to do:

• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (from a tube instead of a jar to prevent the spread of bacteria) once the area is clean and dry. You don't need much - just enough to lightly cover the affected area.

• Use antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin if you don't have petroleum jelly.

• Place a nonstick bandage or gauze pad over the blister to cover it and keep the ointment in place.

While caring for your foot blister, watch for unusual changes that may indicate an infection. These include increased warmth or pain, drainage or pus, or swelling and redness. If you notice these signs, it's time to call a healthcare professional, as you'll likely need medical care.

How long do foot blisters last?

It depends on what caused the foot blisters and how you care for them. Friction blisters, the most common type, typically heal in a few days if left intact and protected. If an infection sets in, then healing can take much longer.

Popped or drained blisters often need extra time to mend, especially if the top layer of skin is missing. Blisters caused by burns or severe friction might also need more healing time. Everyone heals at their own pace, so your blister may heal faster or slower than someone else's. Just be sure to keep an eye out to make sure it's healing well.

Can blisters be prevented?

Treating blisters is important. But preventing them can save you a lot of discomfort and hassle. Try these steps to keep foot blisters at bay:

• Choose shoes that fit well and suit the shape of your feet.

• Break in new shoes slowly rather than wearing them for long periods right away.

• Opt for moisture-wicking socks to help keep your feet dry during activities.

• Change damp socks as soon as possible, especially during long walks or runs.

• Try foot powder to help reduce friction inside your shoes.

• Rub petroleum jelly on trouble spots to minimize friction between your skin and shoes.

• Apply protective padding, like moleskin or tape, to blister-prone areas.

• Stop activities at the first sign of foot discomfort or redness and apply protective padding.

• Talk to a healthcare professional about orthotics, such as a footpad, to distribute pressure more evenly across your feet.

When should you see a healthcare professional?

You need medical attention if your blister is infected. Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as:

• Increased redness or swelling around the blister

• Warmth in the affected area

• Pus or cloudy fluid instead of clear fluid in the blister

• Fever or chills

• Increasing pain or tenderness

You should also get medical care if:

• The blister doesn't improve after a week of home treatment.

• The blister is unusually large or painful.

• You develop multiple blisters without a clear cause.

For people with diabetes, foot blisters require extra attention. Diabetes can affect the way your body heals, which may lead to serious issues. It can also cause neuropathy, which might reduce sensation in your feet. This means you could have a worsening blister without realizing it. Contact a healthcare professional for proper care and to prevent complications if you have diabetes and spot a blister on your foot.

If something doesn't feel right or you're unsure how your blister is healing, it's better to get it checked out by a medical professional.