Symptoms
Blisters occur on the feet during high-impact activities, such as hiking, jogging, playing sports, or during military service. They also occur on the hands, such as during rowing, manual labor, or gardening. The formation of a skin blister begins with a feeling of warmth and redness and progresses to a burning sensation, forming a pale area. This enlarges and becomes filled with fluid after a while. The overlying skin may peel off, leaving an open lesion that hurts a lot. Hemorrhages also occur. Healing usually takes more than a week. Due to the sometimes severe pain, blisters limit physical performance and leisure activities, and affect sufferers at work. As a portal of entry for pathogens, they are a risk factor for the development of local and systemic infections.
Causes
Blisters are caused by repetitive tangential shear and frictional forces that result in detachment of the skin layers. This process occurs in the prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum) of the skin. A space is formed, which is filled with tissue fluid. Risk factors include:
- Moisture, sweat
- Heat
- Individual sensitivity, lack of adaptation
- High stress, long duration
- Heavy backpack
- Ill-fitting shoes that have not been broken in
- To loose-fitting socks with wrinkles
Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be made by the patient or by a specialist based on the patient’s history and clinical picture. In cases of suspected inflammation and infection, very large blisters and disorders of wound healing (eg, diabetes mellitus), the affected should receive medical attention
Prevention
Based on scientific research and pathogenesis, there are several recommendations on how to prevent its development.
Treatment
Hydrocolloid-based blister plasters that allow moist wound healing are well effective. They are special dressings for the prevention and treatment of skin blisters, which are applied directly to the blister already prophylactically or even at the first signs. If it is already present, they have a pain-relieving, pressure-relieving, protective effect and promote healing. To ensure that blister plasters adhere well, the skin should be as dry and grease-free as possible. Alternatively, other dressings such as tape bandages or wound compresses can be used. Various opinions circulate on the “pricking” of blisters. According to the scientific literature, drainage (draining) of tissue fluid is recommended in the first 24 to 36 hours for larger blisters. It can cause the skin layers to bond together. Disinfection is required for this and sterile and sharp instruments such as a sterile syringe must be used. The overlying skin should not usually be removed because of its protective function, unless it is dirty and damaged. Disinfectants can be used on open lesions to prevent infectious disease. Irritating substances such as essential oils should not come into contact with open blisters, as this can cause a severe burning sensation. This applies to many medicinal baths, for example.
