Health Center :: Blisters & Chafing

A blister is an area of raised skin that appears to have a watery liquid inside.

Chafing is usually caused by any activity that requires skin to repeatedly rub against another area of skin or article of clothing. Moisture can worsen chafing. The most common symptom of chafing is a painful stinging or burning sensation.

How do blisters occur?
Blisters are caused by friction (rubbing), pressure or a burn. Your body responds to the friction by producing lymph fluid. As your outer layer of skin separates from the inner layers the space between fills with fluid and the fluid builds up beneath the part of the skin being rubbed, causing pressure and pain.
A single blister is often caused by:

• Friction:  Blisters can develop when a surface rubs against unprotected skin. This includes:
• new or poor-fitting shoes or gloves
• changes in the fit of your shoes or gloves due to heat, moisture, friction or the way you walk
• increased pressure on your hands from using tools without gloves
• Burns:  Blister can develop when your skin is exposed to open flames, steam, or contact with a hot surface or excessive exposure to the sun (sunburn).  

Other causes of blisters include contact with irritants (chemicals, plants or toxins); drug reactions, autoimmune diseases and infection.

How can blisters be prevented or treated?

Prevention
The first line of defense against blisters is to understand how your daily activities can result in a blister and take the necessary precautions to prevent blisters from happening. Identify the potential “hot spots”.

Your hands: Be sure to start your activity wearing the right kind of gloves or protective gear.  Examples include:  well-fitting and moisture proof gloves for gardening or working with tools, or physical activities such as golf, baseball or gymnastics.

Your feet:  When buying shoes, make sure they fit properly.  Make sure that there are no seams or other shoe parts that might rub.  A little bit of rubbing or a small pinch in the store could add up to large blisters later. Remember, feet swell during the day so go shoe shopping late in the day for the most accurate fit. Keep your feet as dry as possible and change socks regularly to help prevent rubbing and ultimately blistering.

At the first sign of redness cover the “hot spot” to prevent further friction. 

Treatment
You can treat minor blisters at home using products that protect the blistered skin from further irritation or rubbing.  It also helps to keep the skin hydrated and guard the skin against sweat and other irritants.  This is important as “de-roofing” (taking the top part of the blister off) increases your risk of infection and can even increase pain. While your blister heals, try to avoid putting pressure on the area or rubbing it.

Mild chafing can often be treated by keeping the area properly hydrated (with appropriate lubricants) and protected from sweat or other irritating moisture. 

Blister suffers have found these products helpful in both preventing blisters and controlling pain.