A blood blister under the skin is a sac in the superficial skin layers that contains blood or blood fluids. Generally it is formed due to a crush, a hematoma or the continuous friction on the area; it can develop anywhere on the body, but the fingers and toes, the heels, the mouth, and under or near the nails are most affected. If you have a blood blister you must leave it undisturbed without breaking it; however, if you have to pop it, be very careful to avoid developing an infection.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Pop the Blister
Step 1. Break a large bubble
You should avoid doing this as much as possible, but if it causes a lot of pain, you can pop a big one. If it occupies a large area of skin, hurts a lot, interferes with work, or prevents walking, you can drain it with great care.
Be aware that this exposes you to a greater risk of infections, so be very careful and follow the instructions described to the letter. In reality it would be better to rely on your doctor, who proceeds with sterile instruments, but realistically this is not always a possible solution
Step 2. Wash the area
Cleanse the affected skin with water and antibacterial soap without neglecting your hands; leave the soap on the area for at least a minute or two before rinsing off all the suds.
Use a clean towel to dry your hands and blister
Step 3. Use a sterile blade
The ideal tool is a sterile needle or a scalpel blade, but if you don't have them, you can opt for a sterilized pin or needle; if you have alcohol on hand, use it to disinfect the tool.
- Alternatively, let the needle or pin soak for 10 minutes in an antibacterial solution.
- You can also boil them. Use kitchen tongs to remove the needle from the boiling water and use it while it is still hot. An alternative method is to burn the tip of the pin over a flame for about a minute; check that it has become cold before using it.
Step 4. Prick the top of the bladder
To drain it you have to pierce or cut the top without penetrating to great depth (because the tissue to be pierced is very thin). You can apply gentle pressure to facilitate the escape of liquids; use gauze or a clean cloth to absorb the blood and remember to press until all the fluid has drained.
You shouldn't feel much pain, because the nerves are typically found deeper in the skin layers and not on the surface of the blister. however, be prepared to suffer a little
Step 5. Leave the skin flap intact
After puncturing the blister, do not remove the skin covering it as it protects the wound from infection; leave it where it is for it to perform its function.
Step 6. Treat the area
Smear an antiseptic product, such as povidone iodine, iodine, or an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a thick enough dressing to protect it from friction and excess pressure.
- Remove the bandage overnight to allow the blister to breathe and speed up the healing process.
- Check for signs of infection every 8-12 hours. This complication is manifested by redness, warmth, swelling, pain and the presence of yellowish or greenish pus; in this case you have to call your doctor.
Step 7. Know when you shouldn't drain a blood blister
Certain pathologies make this practice unsafe. If you have diabetes, HIV, cancer, heart disease or have a bleeding disorder you should never break a blood bladder on your own, as it could cause an infection that would prove dangerous. Instead, go to the doctor and discuss the situation with him.
Don't rupture a blister caused by a contagious disease as this could spread the condition to other people
Method 2 of 2: Dealing with Small Blood Bubbles
Step 1. Do not disturb the small blisters
If the blister is the size of a pea, let it heal on its own and don't drain it, as it should disappear on its own within a few days.
Step 2. Eliminate any unnecessary sources of pressure
When you have a small bladder of this kind on your body you obviously have to prevent it from getting worse; to do this, make sure that she is not subjected to pressure, for example from clothes or other constricting elements.
If it is on the feet or their toes, make sure the shoes do not generate friction on it; wear only cotton socks that prevent rubbing on the upper and choose shoes with open toes or sandals without heels
Step 3. Minimize the friction on your bladder
To allow it to heal quickly, you need to prevent it from rubbing on other surfaces; Then cover it as much as possible with a clean, thick dressing. You can use a skin protection patch to cut out to fit the area.
You can also use a bandage, specific patches, thick socks or wear two pairs
Step 4. Apply ice
If the blister is causing pain, you should try to control it with an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in tissue; leave the compress on the bubble for about 10 minutes.
