Blood blisters under the skin are the result of skin trauma - for example, violent pinching of the skin. The result is a red, fluid-filled bump that is sometimes extremely painful to touch. Although most blood blisters are not serious and heal on their own, it is important to know how to treat them in order to minimize discomfort and prevent possible infections. For them to heal safely and completely, follow the helpful tips in this article.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Take Action Immediately
Step 1. Remove the pressure from the blood blister
Start by removing any constriction and exposing the bubble to air. Make sure it is not subjected to any rubbing or pressure. Exposing it to air will allow it to begin to heal naturally. In the absence of any compression, the bubble will remain intact, and the chances of it ripping, bursting or becoming infected will be reduced.
Step 2. Apply ice if you feel pain immediately after the injury
Leave for 10-30 minutes and repeat as needed. The ice will allow you to reduce the pain and relieve the part if it is hot and throbbing. You can repeat the application even later, not limiting yourself to the moment following the injury.
- Do not apply ice to bare skin, otherwise you risk getting burned by the intense cold. Place a towel between the ice and your skin to protect the painful area.
- Apply the aloe vera gel on the blood blister, making light and gentle movements; it will relieve swelling and pain.
Step 3. Under normal circumstances it is best not to burst the blood blister
The idea might be tempting, but it also causes an infection and a slowdown in the body's natural healing process. If the blister is on one foot, try your best not to expose it to prolonged pressure.
Method 2 of 5: Let it heal on its own
Step 1. Keep it exposed to the air
Most blood blisters will heal on their own over time. To speed up this self-healing process, it is important to keep the area dry and clean. Keeping it exposed to air will allow it to heal and limit the risk of infection.
Step 2. Reduce any possible friction or pressure
If the blister is located in an area that is normally subject to rubbing, such as the heel or toes, take the necessary precautions to limit friction. Intense rubbing against a foreign surface, such as a shoe, increases the likelihood of tearing. Using a patch is the simplest and most practical solution.
Donut-shaped protective patches are commercially available, capable of reducing friction while leaving the blood blister exposed to air, in order to allow for faster healing
Step 3. Protect her with a bandage
Blood blisters that tend to rub regularly against some surface, such as those on the feet and hands, can be covered with a soft bandage, providing additional protection. Use gauze to reduce the friction and pressure exerted on the blood blister, thus contributing to safe healing and reducing the risk of infection. Make sure the material used is sterile and replace the dressing regularly.
Before bandaging the part, clean it carefully
Step 4. Continue healing the blood blister until it is completely healed
If it is particularly large, visit your doctor. Sometimes larger blisters need to be drained, and in these cases it is best to consult a professional to avoid unpleasant infections.
Method 3 of 5: Knowing How and When to Drain a Blood Bubble
Step 1. Determine if a blood blister drain is best
Although most of the time they heal on their own, and should therefore be left alone, sometimes draining the fluids may be the best option - for example in the presence of pain and a high blood quantity. In the same way it will be useful to drain those bubbles whose size would cause them to break anyway. Reflect on what to do, if anything, erring on the side of caution.
- Remember that blood blisters require more attention than normal blisters.
- In case you decide to drain it, follow the entire process with appropriate attention and care to limit the risk of infection.
- Due to the possibility of infection, those suffering from heart disease, cancer, or HIV should never drain a blood blister.
Step 2. Prepare to cut the blood blister
If you've decided it's okay to drain it, you need to make sure you don't infect it. Wash your hands and clean the area of skin surrounding the blister using soap and water. Then sterilize a pin with disinfectant alcohol. You will need it to pierce the skin.
Step 3. Pierce and drain the blood blister
Carefully pierce the top of the bubble, using the pin; the liquid will begin to flow out of the small hole. If necessary, apply gentle pressure to help the drainage process.
Step 4. Clean and cover your bladder
Apply an antiseptic product (unless you have a particular allergy), such as Betadine. Clean the skin around the blood blister and cover it with sterile gauze. Now you will need to keep it as safe as possible from pressure and rubbing. To prevent potential infections, get regular checkups and change your bandage regularly.
Method 4 of 5: Treating a Ruptured or Burst Blood Bubble
Step 1. Drain it carefully
Should the blister burst or tear as a result of excessive pressure or friction, you will need to clean it immediately to prevent potential infections. Start by draining the liquids carefully.
Step 2. Clean the part and apply an antiseptic
After washing your skin carefully, apply an antiseptic ointment (allergies permitting), exactly as expected in case you decide to drain it. Avoid placing alcohol or iodine in direct contact with the blood blister: both substances could in fact delay healing.
Step 3. Leave the skin intact
After draining the fluids, deal with the skin that has remained intact, being careful not to break it. Ideally you will need to arrange and level it patiently on the living skin. This will provide additional protection and facilitate the healing process. Do not tear the skin around the blister in any way.
Step 4. Cover it with clean gauze
In order to prevent an infection it is very important to apply a clean bandage to the bladder. The dressing should provide sufficient pressure to prevent further blood vessel ruptures, but not be tight enough to prevent normal blood circulation. Change it daily after cleaning the area around the bubble. Healing should take about a week, be patient.
Method 5 of 5: Monitor the Part for Signs of Infection
Step 1. Check for signs of infection when taking care of your blood blister
If an infection worsens, you may need to take antibiotics by mouth - so see your doctor. It is important to clean and cover the bladder carefully to reduce the risk of infection.
If you feel generally unwell accompanied by a fever, you may have an infection
Step 2. Notice any intensification of pain, swelling, or redness around the blood blister
Possible signs of an infection include redness and swelling around the area affected by the bladder, or prolonged pain. Pay attention to the presence of such symptoms and, if necessary, take appropriate measures.
Step 3. Notice any redness that extends around the bubble
The presence of streaks or reddish tinges that widen around the affected part of the bladder could indicate a serious infection that has spread to the lymphatic system. Lymphangitis often occurs when viruses and bacteria from an infected wound spread to the lymphatic system.
- Other symptoms of lymphangitis include swollen lymph nodes (glands), chills, fever, loss of appetite, and general malaise.
- If you have such symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.
Step 4. Notice any leaking pus or fluid
A discharge of pus from the blood blister is an additional indicator of a potential infection. Observe the color, noting any yellowish or greenish hues in the pus or cloudy fluids inside or outside the bladder.
