Inflammations
When bubbles are open or are opened they are prone to inflammation. Small injuries cause impurities and pathogens to enter the skin layers. The tissue reacts with an inflammation, more fluid escapes, inflammatory cells inflow, the area is better supplied with blood and becomes more sensitive to pain.
The blisters can now also fill with pus, hurt and appear strongly reddened. Contaminated blisters should be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant solutions. Then a clean plaster should be applied to prevent further contamination. The top layer of skin should never be removed. If blisters are particularly painful, do not heal or heal poorly and the hand is severely reddened and warmed, a doctor should be consulted.
Duration
How long blisters last on the hand depends mainly on whether the affected area is stressed in the healing process. Uncomplicated blisters on less stressed areas can heal within a week. After healing, a horny layer usually forms which protects against future stress.
Diagnosis
The type of skin appearance is mainly determined by the appearance and other symptoms of blisters on the hand. It also requires a detailed discussion between the doctor and the person concerned. In the case of mechanical causes, blisters usually appear on the stressed areas, such as the palms of the hands.
The patient should be asked about any unusually heavy strain on the hands in the past, such as gardening or sports that may have placed particular strain on the hands. The hands appear increasingly reddened and painful when exercising, and a blister forms later as an expression of the friction. If, in addition to small, reddened blisters and sensitive cracks on the hands, the patient describes severe itching and frequent contact with chemicals, the diagnosis of hand eczema is obvious.
Cause
There are a variety of causes for a blister on the hand. The most important thing for a diagnosis is the conversation between the doctor and the patient and the appearance of the bladder. It is also important for the doctor to know what other symptoms the person has.
Possible causes can be:
- Blistering autoimmune diseases: these usually affect the whole body
- Mechanical or chemical stimuli: here, only the hands are affected. Particularly in sports that put a lot of strain on the hands, such as weight training, climbing and apparatus gymnastics, blisters on the hand are an expression of mechanical stress. Even unaccustomed gardening without appropriate protection of the hands can lead to blisters.
Friction creates a fluid-filled cavity in the upper skin layers. The body cushions the sensitive area so to speak. After healing, the affected areas often develop increased calluses.
The hands are also predisposed to contact with chemical substances, which in some cases can lead to irritation (e.g. by caustic cleaning agents) or allergic reactions. Persons who come into frequent contact with chemicals at work, such as hairdressers, cleaning staff or nursing staff, are also frequently affected. Small, very itchy blisters form, which secrete fluid and heal in a crusty way. This skin disease is called chronic hand eczema or dishydrose.
