When you wear a new pair of shoes or do some gardening work, it can happen that you get blisters. These are small bubbles or pockets of fluid that remain trapped between the outer layers of the skin; they can be caused by friction, burns, infections, cold or exposure to chemicals (including drugs). If you need to take care of an infected blister (filled with yellowish or greenish fluid), you need to monitor it closely as it gets better; although it is possible in some cases to treat it at home, in the most serious situations a doctor's intervention is necessary.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Draining an Infected Bladder at Home
Step 1. Determine if you need to drain the bubble
Generally, you shouldn't break the one that doesn't open spontaneously, to avoid aggravating the situation and causing an infection; however, if it is on a joint or area that is subject to pressure, you should drain it.
By eliminating the pus, you reduce the pressure and consequently the pain; remember that you need to check your bladder, keep it bandaged and clean after draining it
Step 2. Clean the area
To avoid spreading the infection, wash your hands and blister. scrub the surrounding skin with rubbing alcohol or an iodine-based solution to kill all bacteria.
You should also disinfect the needle by rubbing it with alcohol, iodine, or by holding it over a flame for a minute
Step 3. Pierce the bubble
Take the sterilized needle and pierce the base of the bladder in several places, to allow the liquid to escape; do not exert too much pressure to prevent the bubble from bursting.
- It is worth taking a cotton ball or gauze to absorb and clean away the fluid or pus;
- Wash the area with hydrogen peroxide, saline, or soap and water. avoid alcohol or iodine as they irritate the wound.
Step 4. Apply an ointment
After draining the blister, you may notice that the skin has become soft and saggy. However, you should not remove it, as this could damage the wound and make the infection worse. try to leave it intact as much as possible and apply an antibiotic ointment.
Step 5. Cover the area with a bandage
This is technically a wound that you need to protect with a plaster or bandage. You can also use gauze, but remember that the important thing is to change the dressing every day to allow the blister to heal.
- Always wash your hands before and after changing the bandage;
- Remove the dressing every day before taking a bath and let the water wash the bubble during the shower; pat the area dry and put the bandage back on.
Part 2 of 3: Using Unverified Natural Remedies
Step 1. Apply a garlic paste
Crush a clove and reduce it into a sort of puree; alternatively, you can buy pasta, but make sure it doesn't contain too many different ingredients. Spread it directly on the bladder; Consider mixing it with some castor oil to make it easier to apply.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic that kills any bacteria or viruses that can infect the bladder
Step 2. Use aloe vera gel
Apply a few drops to the blister; if you are using the sap that has just been extracted from the plant, you can squeeze a leaf directly over the skin and spread the gel that comes out of it. If you opt for a commercial product, choose one that has aloe vera gel as the first ingredient on the list and does not contain any excipients.
Aloe has natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic substances that treat the infection and at the same time moisturize the skin
Step 3. Spread tea tree oil on the bubble
Choose a pure one and place it directly on the affected area. It is worth moistening a cotton swab with a drop of oil and dabbing it on the bladder; alternatively, you can buy an ointment based on this oil.
It is an antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory substance, although more research is needed to quantify its effectiveness against bacterial, fungal and viral infections
Step 4. Apply some wet herbs to the skin
Take a pinch of oregano or thyme and add it to half a teaspoon of very hot water. Leave the plant material to soak until it increases in volume; then wait for the mixture to cool and apply it directly to the bubble. Both of these aromatic plants are traditionally used against infections.
If you can find mullein, yarrow or greater plantain nearby, take a few leaves (or flowers, in the case of mullein) and mash them to make a paste; add a few drops of castor oil to make the mixture easier to spread. Coat your bladder with this anti-inflammatory blend
Part 3 of 3: Caring for an Infected Bladder
Step 1. Pay attention to the signs of infection
If the blister becomes infected, it fills with a cloudy, yellowish or greenish liquid; the surrounding skin is red and may be swollen or painful. If you have more than three or four of these blisters, don't treat them at home, but go to the doctor.
If you notice red streaks on your skin starting from the blister, fluid leaking, pain around your bladder, or fever, it could be a serious infection such as lymphagitis. in this case, you need to contact the doctor
Step 2. Keep your skin dry and clean
Blisters can form due to sweat being trapped under the skin. If you exercise or sweat a lot, take a shower or rinse off the sweat right away. a mild soap is more than enough to keep infections at bay. When finished, pat your skin dry by gently dabbing it.
Don't break the blister skin; never rub it when you wash or dry it
Step 3. Don't irritate the area
If the blister hasn't opened, make sure it stays intact. Consider using a skin patch, bandage, or petroleum jelly to prevent shoes or other parts of the body from exerting friction on the affected area. if the blister is on the hand, wear gloves.
Even moist skin can generate friction and make the situation worse. You can sprinkle the area around the blister with talcum powder or aluminum chloride to keep it dry
Step 4. If the situation does not improve, see your doctor
If you have a blister or two, you can probably treat them at home; but if they are numerous, large or spread over the body, you must go to the doctor immediately. Also contact him if you suffer from painful, inflamed or recurring boils; in this case, you may have a serious condition that requires different treatments, for example:
- Pemphigus vulgaris: a chronic dermatological disease;
- Bullous pemphigoid: an autoimmune skin disorder;
- Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis: a chronic skin rash.
