$Unique_ID{PAR00025}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Blisters}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Blister Blisters Blistering skin bubble bubbles clear fluid}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Blisters


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOM
     - A raised bubble of skin containing clear liquid

     HOME CARE
     - Protect blisters with gauze or bandages.
     - If accidentally opened, trim away loose skin, clean with soap and
       water, and bandage.
     - If a blister becomes infected (red or tender), soak it in an Epsom
       salts solution or Burow's solution.  Have infected blisters checked by
       a doctor.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Do not break open blisters caused by rubbing or burns.
     - If red streaks start spreading out from a blister, see your doctor.
     - If an Epsom salts solution is too weak, the soaking makes blisters
       larger.  Use at least one-half cup of Epsom salts to a quart of water.


     Blisters occur when there is a buildup of clear or almost clear fluid
between layers of the skin.  They may be caused by heat burns; chemical burns;
friction (rubbing); bacterial or fungal infection; hand, foot, and mouth
disease; allergy to insect bites; or allergy to certain plants.  Blisters
range from the size of a pinhead to several inches across.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Blisters are obvious from their typical appearance--a raised bubble of
skin containing clear fluid.  The cause of blisters is sometimes determined by
their location.  When blisters appear on the palms or heels, they are usually
due to rubbing; most blisters on the feet are caused by ill-fitting shoes or
by not wearing socks.  Blisters on the soles and toes may be caused by a
fungus.  Blisters on the cuticles or backs of fingers almost always mean an
infection.

HOME CARE

     Do not break open blisters caused by rubbing or by burns.  Protect them
with gauze and bandages.  If a blister is accidentally opened, trim away the
major portion of loose skin, cleanse with soap and water, and bandage.  If the
blister becomes infected (redness and increasing tenderness are signs of
infection), it should be soaked in an Epsom salts solution or Burow's solution
(available without a prescription).  An infected blister should be checked by
a doctor.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Red streaks extending from a blister indicate spreading infection.  If
     red streaks appear, see your doctor.
  -  Soaking unbroken blisters in an Epsom salts solution that is too weak
     causes marked enlargement of the blisters.  Use at least one-half cup of
     Epsom salts to a quart of water.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will determine the cause of the blister and look for signs of
infection.  Infected blisters are opened, and the fluid is cultured to
determine the type of infection.  Soaks or oral antibiotics may be prescribed
individually or in combination.

RELATED TOPICS:  Athlete's foot; Blood poisoning; Burns; Chicken pox; Hand,
foot, and mouth disease; Herpes simplex; Impetigo; Poison ivy