Foot blisters are pockets filled with fluid formed between the layers of skin. They are caused by an array of both internal and external factors. Some are as simple as a new shoe while others are complicated medical conditions that may require you to seek the intervention of a medical practitioner. If you are in a profession that tends to make you prone to them, it is crucial for you to know how to treat foot blisters and others on your body so that they do not get out of hand and cause you immense pain.
Blisters are not life–threatening, but they should be handled well to ensure painless healing of the affected area, leaving no scar behind. There are three types of blisters, each named after the causing agent. Knowing what caused blistering on your skin is intricate if you want to eliminate them for good. Intense and continuous friction is the leading cause of blisters, and this condition is propelled by different circumstances which we discuss below.
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Ill-fitting shoes
When one wears ill-fitting shoes, chances are they will end their day with blisters on their feet. Even when worn for a short period, tight shoes will have friction with the feet at particular points, making it hard to avoid the blisters. In some instances, the footwear might be the right size, but improper storage causes them to bend in some areas creating a situation where the feet will rub the shoe consistently resulting in blisters. Important to note is that not only tight shoes cause blisters even loose–fitting ones have this effect since some parts of the feet have to bear the weight and strain in certain areas, and this may result in excruciating blisters.
New shoes are also known to be among the leading causes of blisters among adults and children alike. It gets time for your feet to get accustomed to new shoes, and the first few wears may be a gruelling experience. Athletes are the most affected people when they acquire new trainers since their workout involve a lot of strain and feet movement, making them prone to blisters every time they purchase new sneakers. Check out tips on how to expand your new shoes to avoid using your feet for this purpose and suffering blisters in the long run.
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Extreme temperature
Exposure to severe heat when cold or moist will, in most instances, result in a blister than is painful and sensitive. These types of blisters take a while to heal, and you ought to be careful not to puncture them as this will aggravate the pain. The appearance of a blister after a burn will help categorize the intensity of the same. For 2nd degree burns, the blister appears immediately while for the 1st–degree level they will occur a few days after the incident. Blistering is crucial in helping protect the inner layers of the skin from damage caused by heat.
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Contact with chemicals
Contact dermatitis comes about when the skin reacts to exposure to certain chemicals. It is vital for you to know which substances within the home and workplace you are likely to respond to help you avoid blistering from time to time. Some of the chemicals that you ought to be wary of include; cosmetics, detergents, chemical warfare agents, solvents, and insect bites, among others.
Wear protective clothing when handling anything that may blister your skin to avoid the occurrence of the same. Additionally, you can use creams when going into areas filled with insects that may be hazardous to your skin in various ways, including causing blisters.
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Medical conditions
There are many medical conditions whose symptoms are sometimes manifested in the form of blisters. Those caused by illnesses are more chronic than those resulting from any of the factors above. Diseases and infections that affect the skin are among the leading causes of blistering. Some of the ailments that cause blisters include; chickenpox, herpes, eczema, and dyshidrosis, among others. Some of these conditions are genetic, while others are caused by microbes available in the environment. Others are caused by other forms of treatment, such as radiation.
When blistering on any part of your body is caused by a medical condition, it is crucial that you seek help from a doctor. This way, you will handle both the blister and the underlying condition. If you are unsure about what is causing your skin to blister, you should also consult a physician for the appropriate tests to be conducted.
If you happen to get a blister, there are many ways that you can manage and cure them. Identify the underlying cause before trying out any home remedies or over the counter medication. Most blisters will heal voluntarily, and you do not have to seek any intervention while others, especially those caused by illness, will require you to treat them.
Photo by Auskteez Tran on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
