Causes of blisters include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
Symptoms may include:
You can diagnose the presence of a blister by its appearance and by the activity you were doing when it appeared. Seek medical attention if the blister is unusually painful, appears infected, or is associated with a burn.
A blister will often heal without treatment. Some general tips for treatment include:
If the blister is closed, wash the area with soap and water and apply a bandage to help protect it. If the blister is open, wash the area, apply an antibiotic ointment, and then cover with a sterile dressing or bandage.
A blister usually heals by itself. See your doctor if:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
http://www.aofas.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Dermatologists.ca
http://www.dermatologists.ca/index.html
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
Ramsey ML. Avoiding and treating blisters. Phys Sportsmed. 1997 Dec;25(12).
Schwartz, RA. Friction blisters. e-Medicine. Available at http://emedicine.medscape.com/. Updated April 3, 2008. Accessed June 29, 2009.
National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nih.gov/ .
Last reviewed November 2008 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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