Blisters are usually caused by friction against the skin, which causes fluid to deposit under the section being rubbed. Many doctors and dermatologists advise not to puncture blisters to prevent scarring and infections, but if you really want to, follow these steps to avoid taking risks.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Deciding whether to Pierce
Step 1. Consider the recommendations of doctors
Health professionals generally advise against puncturing blisters, because they serve to protect areas of the skin that are damaged and cover a sterile environment. By piercing them, the skin is exposed to possible infections.
Step 2. Assess the situation
Ask yourself if you need to puncture the bladder.
- Where is the bladder located? Puncturing a blister in the foot is usually safer than puncturing a cold ulcer on the lip or mouth. You should see a doctor if you have a blister in your mouth.
- Does it look infected? If the blister is secreting yellow pus, it is probably infected and you should see your doctor.
- Does the bladder interfere with your daily life? Does it stop you from walking, for example? If the answer is yes and you can safely pierce it, it might be worth it.
Step 3. Do not puncture blisters from sunburn or other burns
If you have blisters from sun exposure, it is a second-degree burn and is severe enough to require medical attention. Do not puncture them, as they protect the underlying skin that is regenerating after the burn. See a doctor for treatment and protect your skin from the sun as it heals.
Second-degree burns that produce blisters need to be treated gently, with a burn cream that requires a prescription. See your doctor for a prescription and learn how to care for blisters
Step 4. Do not touch the blood filled blisters
Blisters of this type, in some cases called fleas, are reddish-purple-black bruises under the skin, due to the rupture of blood vessels under the epidermis. Friction near bone spurs, such as the back of the heel, can lead to rupture of blood vessels and release of blood into the skin.
Blood-filled blisters indicate that the injury is located deep in the tissues. They usually heal on their own, but some people mistake them for melanomas, so if you are unsure, consult your doctor
Part 2 of 3: Preparing to Pierce
Step 1. Wash your hands
Soak your hands in hot water for 20 seconds before rinsing them.
Use regular fragrance-free soap to wash your hands. This prevents irritating chemicals from aggravating the bladder and prevents the transmission of bacteria from the hands to the fragile skin under the bladder
Step 2. Wash the bladder area with soap and water, alcohol, or disinfectant
- You can find disinfectants such as betadine in many drugstores. However, be careful with this drug, as it can stain skin, clothing, and other surfaces.
- Gently pour the betadine or alcohol onto the bladder and surrounding area. If you are washing the area with soap and water, use regular fragrance-free soap, lather your hands, gently wash the affected area, being careful not to puncture the blister, then rinse.
Step 3. Prepare the needle or blade
It's best to use a prepackaged disposable scalpel blade or sterile needle, which you can find in many drugstores.
- If you decide to use a sewing needle you have at home, soak it in alcohol before you begin.
- Do not insert the needle or blade into a flame, which produces carbon particles that can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.
Part 3 of 3: Pierce the Bladder
Step 1. Bucala on the sides
Pierce the bladder in 2 or 3 places and gravity will do the rest, draining it. Bucala on the sides, near the bottom edge.
Do not try the method of literally passing a needle and thread through the bladder. This method increases the risk of infection
Step 2. Drain your bladder
Let the liquid inside drain naturally thanks to gravity, or apply gentle downward pressure from the highest point of the bladder to the point you pierced, letting the fluid drain through the holes.
Do not push hard or tear the bladder to let the fluid out. You could injure the skin underneath
Step 3. Don't tear the skin
Pulling on the dead skin that made up the blister can irritate the surrounding healthy skin and expose it to infection. Wash the wound with soap and water or a disinfectant, then cover it with a bandage.
Step 4. Apply antibiotic ointment to the bladder and cover it with a bandage
This way bacteria will not enter the wound and you will feel less pressure on the bladder area.
- Apply the ointment again and change the dressing daily until the skin has healed completely. It should take about a week.
- If the possibility of getting an infection doesn't particularly worry you, you can use petroleum jelly or Aquaphor instead of an antibiotic ointment.
Step 5. Wash your body, feet, or hands periodically once your bladder is punctured
Epsom salts help drain fluids further. For the following days, pour half a cup of Epsom salts into the warm water and soak the affected area for 20 minutes once a day.
Step 6. Notice the signs of infection
If the blister becomes red, swollen, sore, or secretes pus, it may be infected and you should see a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics.
- You may get an infection if the area around the blister becomes redder and swollen. You may get a fever above 37 ° C. If the area hurts more than it did when the bladder was intact and you notice the other symptoms described, you may have an infection.
- Pus is a yellowish discharge that is produced from an infected area. If your bladder secretes this yellowish liquid, see a doctor.
Step 7. Prevent blisters in the future
Do not put pressure on the areas where the bones protrude the most. Use blister pads if needed. If you run, you can buy a new pair of shoes or socks that breathe your foot and fit your foot perfectly to reduce friction.
If you are rowing, wear specific gloves for water sports or create a grip for your oar with tape to reduce friction when holding it
Warnings
Some blisters are caused by conditions, such as pemphigus, pemphigoid diseases, or by infections such as bullous impetigo. If your blisters occur without an obvious cause, if you have many, or if they recur often, you should see your doctor
Advice
- Make sure everything (hands, needle, surrounding area, bladder area) is sterile to prevent infections.
- Make sure the needle is clean before using it, otherwise it could cause an infection.
- You can also ask your doctor, dermatologist, or nurse to aspirate (or drain) your bladder with a sterile needle. This advice is especially useful in the case of large blisters.
