How to get rid of blisters

Aloe Vera is a well-known healing plant that can really help you get rid of blisters.

What to do:

1. Make sure that the area around blister is clean.
2. Apply some Aloe Vera gel to the area around blister (if the blister already open) or directly (if it is still intact).
3. Leave the area uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes until the gel is fully absorbed.
4. Rinse it off with warm water.
5. After that, you can use a moleskin pad.

Remember not to use Aloe Vera in treating the blister for more than 10 consecutive days as its long-term usage lessen the healing effect. If your blister hasn't disappeared after 10 days, make a break for 5 days and then resume the treatment.

Aloe Vera gel can be extracted from the plant. You'll just need to simply break off the end of one fleshy, succulent leaf and there will be lots of gel.

You can also purchase Aloe Vera gel in any store or online.

As soon as you have a blister that is causing discomfort, you can use a bandage. However, remember to do it in a clever way.

Keep in mind that exposing the blister to air seriously speeds the healing process. Besides, the blister and the area around it should be kept dry. That is why, if you need a bandage to walk, use a  doughnut-shaped moleskin pad or special blister bands (e.g. Johnson & Johnson Advanced Healing Adhesive Band-Aids, Spenco blister kit, the Pro-Tec Liquicell Blister Bands).

Before applying a bandage, make sure that the are is clean and use a sterile gauze pad to gently urge any excessive fluid out of the blister. You can also cover the area with antibiotic treatment.

If you don't have one of those around and need to hurry,  apply a usual bandage, but do so loosely by leaving the middle part of the bandage slightly raised up, as if making a tent with it. This way, you allow some air flow to the area.

Chamomile is a great means to ease the pain and swelling of a blister.

What to do:

1. Make a strong cup of chamomile tea either leaf tea or in tea bags.
2. Let it cool to room temperature.
3. Dip a clean washcloth in the tea and wring out all the excess moisture. Or take a tea bag out and do the same.
4. Put the moist cloth/tea bag over the blister and keep it there for about 10 minutes.
5. Repeat a few times a day.

Ignored blisters can quickly get infected if they are not cleaned and drained.  That is why you have to be punctual with cleaning, sanitizing, and covering it loosely with bandages. If the blister bursts and becomes infected, secondary cellulitis or impetigo can take place and eventually lead to a long-term bacterial infection entering the bloodstream and sepsis.

You can do so by washing the affected area, draining the excessive fluids, applying means aimed at drying up the blister, and applying bandages.

Hydrocolloid dressings are a great help specifically designed to prevent and treat blisters. They are very much like a second skin. The dressings create a cushion which gels to promote healing and act as  shock absorbers. 

You need to place hydrocolloid dressing on a blister according to the manual and leave them in place until they fall off by themselves.

In order to bring down the itching and sense of irritation to apply a calamine lotion on the blister and allow it to dry. Leave it there until the itching stops. 

The calamine lotion's dryness will mask the action of the virus and simultaneously stop the itching. Moreover, calamine can also prevent the blister from breaking.

Tea tree oil will help you get rid of blisters due to its antibacterial and astringent properties. It can even reduce the risk of an infection. 

What to do:

1. Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 3 parts of any kind of vegetable oil or simply plain water.
2. Use a cotton ball or a piece of cloth to apply this solution on the affected area.
3. Wait for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.
4. Repeat this procedure 2 or 3 times a day for a few days.

Tea tree oil can be purchased in most stores as well as online.

Castor oil is an effective and simple remedy for blisters. 

You can get rid of blisters by smearing some castor oil on the blister and leaving it be for the night. Continue doing this for 2-3 days and the blister will soon become dry and disappear.

Another way of treating blisters with castor oil is to 3 teaspoons of castor oil with  half a cup of white vinegar. You need to rub this mixture gently on the blister a few times a day for a few days.

Castor oil can be purchased at almost any store as well as online.

Turmeric will help you in alleviating pain and inflammation, as well as preventing infection.

What to do: 

1. Start by mixing half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with as much water or pure rose water so as to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste on the blister, let it be for 10 -15 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with warm water. 
4. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day for a few days.
5. To facilitate the heeling, drink a glass of warm turmeric milk daily before going to bed. 

 Wear two pairs of socks to make the friction occur between the two socks, instead of the sock and your skin. In case your shoe feels a bit tight with two pairs of socks, lace them up only half-size as long. But if your foot start sliding around, disregard the two socks method, go for athletic socks.

Try to wear athletic socks or special socks with moisture wicking that keep moisture away from feet to minimize the chance of getting foot blisters.

Between workouts, work shifts, or games, wear flip-flops or sandals to give your feet more time to dry naturally.

Try coating your feet with Vaseline or some other lubricant before a run. With the help of a lubricant, you'll be able to decrease the friction. 

Apply Second Skin, a padded tape that does not move even when your feet or shoes are wet. You can buy them in most stores as well as online.

Treat friction areas before they develop into blisters (as soon as a warm reddened area appeared on the skin) by using a skin lubricant, a cream or special bandages to reduce friction.

Apply skin creams and lotions every day to keep the level of moisture high and minimize the risk of getting blisters.

In case you have a nasty painful blister, consider some more padding in addition to a thick bandage. To make that bandage, you can buy sheets of foamy adhesive pads and cut it into the shape that will fit and cushion the blister. This is a vital step on the way to recovery if you are not at home or in a clean environment because it will prevent infection and let you walk more comfortably (if you have a blister on your feet). 

If you want to be done with your blister as soon as possible or itching is beyond you, consider this method. 

What to do:

1. Soak a clean cloth in cold water and apply on the blisters.
2. Remember not to scratch the blisters especially if you use this treatment, as it can lead to infection. 
3. Using the cold cloth every day will first make the blisters less prominent and eventually help you get rid of it.

Fill the foot tube or a washbasin with lukewarm water, soak your feet in it until the water becomes just warm. 

This will not only keep the blister clean but will also speed up draining a little and will help you relax after a long day of discomfort. You can additionally throw in a little Epsom salt.

Using an ice wrap will make your blood vessels constrict, in turn, reducing swelling and stopping the internal bleeding. If there is no ice around, you can also use a bag of frozen vegetables.

What to do:

1. Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap the bag (or a bag of frozen vegetables) in a small towel.
2. Put this wrap on your blister.
3. Let it stay there for about 10 minutes.
4. Remove the ice for some time and then apply it again.
5. Repeat this procedure several times immediately after the injury.

When you have a blister on your hands and work with tools or play sports, you can put talc on your hands to reduce friction. 

Some blisters can be treated with the application of lavender oil directly on the blister. 

What to do:

1. Make sure that the affected area is clean. 
2. Apply lavender oil to affected area. If you keep applying undiluted oil every 1-2 hours to the affected area, you will experience a reduction of pain and prevent infection.
3. In case your skin is sensitive or the blisters are large, first, mix 10-20 drops of lavender oil with 1 ounce of carrier oil (e.g. almond, coconut or jojoba). Apply the mixture to clean skin 3-5 times a day. If you can, leave the affected area uncovered for as long as possible for facilitating cell rejuvenation. 
4. If you have blisters on feet or hands, take a Q-tip and apply lavender oil to cover only the blister. Then apply a Band-Aid to avoid infection.  

Calendula cream is a product made from marigold that has great anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities as well as the ability to improve blood flow to the affected area.

What to do:

1. Apply calendula cream on the affected area so as to create a thin protective layer.
2. Cover it with an adhesive plaster or a gauze pad to keep the blister clean. 
3. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.
4. When you go to sleep, remove the bandage in order to expose the blistered area and allow it to dry.

Using a paste out of potatoes in treating sunburn blisters is going to speed up the healing process. Potato is effective due to the starch present in potato, which  will soothe the skin and provide relief from pain. 

What to do:

1. Take a potato and cut it into thin slices. Put these slices into a blender and make a paste. Apply the paste on the blisters and wait for the mass to dry. Wash the affected area with cold water.
2. Put these slices into a blender and make a paste. Apply the paste on the blisters and wait for the mass to dry. Wash the affected area with cold water.
3. Apply the paste on the blisters and wait for the mass to dry. Wash the affected area with cold water.
4. Wash the affected area with cold water.
5. Repeat the procedure every day to heal the blisters. 

Tomatoes are also effective in curing the burning sensation that is caused by blisters and promoting faster healing. 

What to do:

1. Mix some tomato paste and tomato juice.
2. Put some buttermilk in there and mix it all well.
3. Apply this remedy on the blisters and keep it there for minimum 30 minutes.
4. Wash the affected area with cold water. 

Honey can be used to cure all kinds of skin problems. It also prevents the formation of infections near the blisters. 

What to do:

1. Take some honey and apply it in an even and thick layer on the blisters and area around it.
2. Wait for several minutes.
3. Wash the area with cold water. 

Excessive amounts of salt or sodium in the body may disrupt the moisture balance in the body. It is crucial to have normal moisture levels in your body in the healing of blisters. Sodium levels should be kept to 1500 milligrams or less per day.

At the same time, balanced nutrition and healthy food intake may aid in faster healing. Consume less salty foods (e.g. whole grains, fruits, and vegetables). It is also beneficial to avoid processed or fried goods.

Proteins are vital for healing any kind of wounds, including blisters. They get converted into energy serving which is later used as building blocks that are needed to heal and minimize scarring. 

Among the foods that are rich in protein are chicken, turkey, fish and other meat sources. Low-fat dairy products and eggs are also considered to be good sources of protein. Another great source of protein is certain plants (e.g. soy and soy products, beans, grains, nuts, seeds, rice). Note that the perfect daily protein intake is 0.8-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

Using anti-bacterial ointments will make the healing much faster and prevent future bacterial infection. The ointment will also help the bandage you apply not to stick to the blister.

Apply anti-bacterial ointments (e.g. Neosporin, bacitracin ointments, etc.) on the affected area at least 3 times a day until the blister heals. However, do not apply more than the amount needed to simply cover the area. Then put loose, clean gauze or dressing on the blister and secure it with tape. 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) work by reducing hormones that create inflammation and pain in your body as well as hormones which trigger fever. Among these medications (all available over-the-counter) are Ibuprofen, Naproxen and many others.

Remember that medication is only necessary to reduce the symptoms and make you more comfortable, only anti-inflammatory medication will not heal the blister.

Cortisone creams contain a minimal amount of steroids that suppress the immune system's activity, thus, helping reduce the inflammation of the blister. These medication are usually available over the counter abd can be bought basically anywhere, including online stores.

Keep in mind that it is not advisable to use cortisone cream on children. Talk to your doctor beforehand for medical advice when it comes to acceptable treatments for babies or children.

If you've had your blister for a while now, and it looks more like dead skin, you probably want to get rid of it. This is achievable by using a ready-to-use or handmade exfoliate. Try to stick to natural ingredients (e.g. groundnuts, grains, and flours) which naturally make the dead skin cells go  away without damaging the skin around the area. 

Use this recipe to make your own safe and effective scrub for the body:

1. Take 1/8 cup oat flour (or nicely ground rolled oats, ground in a coffee grinder), add a little bit of salt.
2. Add olive, safflower, almond, avocado or pistachio oil in 1 tablespoon increments until the salt/flour mixture is lightly coated. 
3. Apply to the old blister and let it dry off for some time.
4. Wash the area with warm water. 

Make sure that the area around the blister is clean. Gently apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the blister. This will help protect the blister from any additional friction, which is especially important if you have a blister on your feet or hands. 

If you've had your blister on your feet for a while now and it looks more like dead skin, you probably want to get rid of it. This is achievable by getting a simple pedicure. Find a local beauty salon to get your feet back in shape. 

If you have blisters on your hands and cannot refrain from working or exercising with your hands, wear some protection so as to avoid infection and additional friction. 

You can wear gloves (e.g. while playing golf or rowing). Among the best solutions would be applying knuckle Band-Aids and put rubber/latex finger protectors on top. They are great because they sit securely on your hands and not slide around. 

The most common cause of blisters among golfers comes from holding the golf club too tight. You can find out what grip you need by doing the following:

Start by setting your grip, then lifting the golf club so as it's located vertically in front of you. Hold the club as lightly as you only can while not allowing it to slip through your grip. After that, drop your hands so that the club would be parallel to the ground. Register your feelings and how you hold the club.  This is the grip pressure you should use on your full-swing. 

A common cause of blisters while riding a horse is pulling on the reins too much and therefore pulling on your horses mouth. Therefore, try not to pull on the reins, as it not only damages your skin on hands, but also the horse's mouth.

Sometimes you can get blisters when your horse might be off balance, and pulls harder, leaning on you for balance, when it should be carrying itself. In that case, you need to help the horse find the lost balance and rebuild its stamina. Consult a coach or expert on a program for your horse.

If you have new shoes, going to play sports or work, you may prevent blisters from appearing by applying blisters to the areas that experience significant friction. All you need to do is apply the bandage so that it covers the area at a risk completely and sits comfortably without sliding.

You should contact your doctor if one or more of the following conditions apply:

• The blister might be infected (it looks like it is filled with yellow or green pus and may be painful, red and hot).
• The blister is painful.
• The Blister keep coming back.
• It occurs in unusual places (e.g. on your eyelids or inside your mouth).
• Your blisters are caused by severe sunburn, burns or scalds or an allergic reaction.

This is going to sting a bit. Only use this method if your blister is closed and hasn't popped yet (otherwise it will hurt a lot). This will allow you to avoid additional pain and irritation. 

Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat blisters:

1. Dip a cotton ball or a piece of cloth into apple cider vinegar. Gently swab it around the affected area. Let it dry. If the vinegar stings, mix it with water first.
2. Mix half a teaspoon of onion paste with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply the mixture on the blister, allow it to get fully absorbed. Rinse it off with warm water.

There are a few variations of using green tea in the treatment of blisters.

The simplest one is the following:

1. Put a green tea bag in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove the bag and let it cool down.
3. Put the tea bag on the blister for a few minutes.
4. Do the procedure 4-5 times daily to speed up the recovery.
5. Drink green tea 2-3 times a day, too.

You can get rid of blisters by soaking them in a mixture of tea and baking soda.

What to do:

1. Brew three tea bags in hot (preferably boiling) water.
2. Put a teaspoon of baking soda (for its antiseptic properties).
3. Allow the brew to cool, then soak your blister in it.
4. You can use gauze to apply the home remedy to the area if the blister is in an area too difficult to soak.
5. Also, if your blister hasn't popped, you can speed up the healing process by soaking it in warm water to help it soften up and drain the fluid.

Epsom salt is an excellent, easy and safe way get rid of blisters, since it dries out an unpopped blister, speeds up the healing, reduces inflammation, pain, and swelling. Besides, it prevents infection.

What to do:

1. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Epson salt to a foot tub or washbasin full of warm water and actively stir it.
2. Soak your feet in it for about 15 minutes.
3. Take your feet out of the tube, pat them dry and apply some petroleum jelly or vitamin E oil.

Continue with this treatment once a day for a few days. Remember, once your blister pops, the Epsom salt may sting, so discontinuing using it then.

Epsom salt  with various additional ingredients can be bought at almost any store or online.

Vitamin E oil relieves itchiness, facilitates the healing process and prevents any possible scarring.

What to do:

1. Start by slicing open a vitamin E capsule and extracting the oil.
2. Mix it with an equal amount of calendula oil.
3. Then smear this mixture on the blister and let it be for around 30 minutes.
4. Repeat the procedure for up to a week.

Vitamin E capsules can be purchased at almost any store as well as online.

You can also use white toothpaste to get rid of blisters. Note that the paste must not be whitening, gel, or colored.

What to do:

1. Put a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and apply it on the affected area.
2. Let it be for at least 2 hours.
3. Clean it off with a moist washcloth and apply some foot cream or petroleum jelly.
4. Repeat this procedure 1-2 times a day until the blister is gone.

Keep your feet as dry as you can and avoid wearing wet shoes, boots or socks. If you have been walking in wet shoes, take them off as soon as get home, wash the feet and put on warm soft socks.

Try to thoroughly break in your new shoes before wearing them for a whole day. New shoes worn for a whole day tend to cause blisters even if they are comfortable.

 Avoid repetitive movements on just one area, which can irritate the skin. Instead, add some variety.

Make sure to wear shoes that fit correctly. Try not to buy the shoes that you know are going to hurt your feet. It is amazing that the shoes look great on your feet, but your health is more important.

 Refrain from wearing cotton socks during a workout as they tend to cause more friction and, as a result, foot blisters.

When you wear new strappy sandals or shoes, rub some petroleum jelly, deodorant, diaper rash cream on the area that is affected the most while walking. 

Try to always wear socks when you put on new shoes. New shoes tend to cause a lot of friction and wearing them without socks for a few hours can result in a few blisters. 

If you have a foot or heel blister, try to keep your legs elevated by putting them up (so as to make the blister higher than your waist). This will  relieve inflammation, and pressure to the affected area, ensure proper drainage of all fluid and promote fresh blood flow to the area in order to facilitate healing.

Witch hazel will help you to dry out a blister, keeping it clean and helping it heal. It is important to use a clean cotton ball while applying the witch hazel to a blister.

Grind oatmeal until it has a form of powder. Add 1-2 cups into a tub full of warm water or cool water (for sunburn blisters).

What to do:

1. Soak the affected area in the mixture for 20 minutes. If there is just one or two on the face, neck, shoulders, apply the paste out of oatmeal and water directly on the blister.
2. Let it be there for half an hour.
3. Wash it off with water of room temperature. 

If you have a relatively small unbroken blister, the best solution is to take all the pressure away (or, at least, a part of it). You need to keep the blister roof intact and allow it to heal in its own time. That is why, in case you have a blister on your foot, simply wearing open-toed sandals or open-backed scuffs might work. And if it's on the hands, avoid any gloves unless you need to work.

Cucumbers are a nice way to get rid of blisters because it contains an ingredient that helps reduce the swelling and inflammation.

What to do:

1. Make sure that the cucumber is cold, then slice it into pieces.
2. Apply the slice onto the blister and let it be for a few minutes.
3. Do this a several times a day for a few consecutive day.

Using a paste out of sandalwood will absorb the heat away from the blood blister and speed up the healing process as well as ease the pain and inflammation.

What to do:

1. Mix some sandalwood powder and rose water so as to make a thick paste.
2. Place some of this paste over the affected skin.
3. Let it dry there on its own.
4. Then rinse the area with cold water. 
5. Repeat the procedure a few times a day.

Garlic oil will speed up the healing process of blood blisters and disinfect the area to prevent infection.

What to do:

1. Heat natural garlic oil lightly.
2. Allow it then to cool to room temperature.
3. Gently massage the oil into the affected area.
4. Let it be for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse the area carefully with cool water. If it doesn't help much, use a mild cleanser to clean the area.
6. Repeat the procedure a few times a day. If your skin becomes red from the garlic oil, change the treatment.

If your blister suddenly bursts or turns open, you need to act quickly. Begin by attentively draining the fluid from the blister.

What to do:

1. Wash the area carefully and apply an antiseptic ointment (allergies permitting). Refrain from applying alcohol or iodine directly on the blister, since they substances could delay the healing.
2. Make sure to leave the extra skin intact, carefully smoothing it over the raw area of skin. It will provide the blister with  additional protection. Avoid picking away at the skin around the blister's edges.
3. Apply a clean bandage to the blister. The bandage should be relatively tight to the affected area to avoid further blood vessel ruptures, but also not so tight as to impede circulation to the area. 
4. Change the bandage every day after cleaning the area. Remove it for the night to give it some air. Give your blister around a week to heal.

Both turmeric and honey have antibacterial and healing properties necessary to facilitate better healing. Mix turmeric and honey together and place the mixture on the blister. 

Make sure that the affected area is clean, apply Vaseline to the blister and put your socks on before going to bed. You are likely to see a notable improvement by morning.

Baking soda is an alkaline is known to soothe the skin and relieve itching.

The simplest way to use baking soda in treating blisters is to run a bath with tepid water, add a quarter cup of baking soda. Mix it together carefully and soak the affected area in it for 15-20 minutes. 

In case you cannot bear itching any longer, you can mix a teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of water. Then add the mixture on the affected area. 

You can also make a paste using baking soda and vinegar and apply it before bed in order to speed up the recovery. However, do not use baking soda if you have open (popped) blisters.

This remedy has proven to be extremely effective, especially in the case of burn blisters. This will help the blister to compress and heal.

What to do:

1. Add some salt to the ice cold water.
2. Soak a clean cloth in this mixture.
3. Put the cloth on the blister and let it be there for some time. 
4.  Repeat a couple of times a day.

Buttermilk can be used externally as well as internally. It has an impressive cooling and soothing properties. If you don't have actual buttermilk around, take one cup of yoghurt and one cup of water and make a thin liquid. Apply the mixture to the blistered skin. 

Additionally, you can drink the mix by adding a bit of salt to it. This will help you to cool your body from within.

When you take a shower, try to opt for water that is slightly cooler than lukewarm. Also, adjust the water flow to make it gentle enough to not increase your pain. If you can allow it yourself, try to shower as little as possible (or keep the blisters out of water) since the water pressure could pop the blisters, resulting in a potential infection, pain, or scarring. 

While drying off, use gentle and careful movements to pat the skin dry lightly instead of wiping or rubbing your towel, since those actions can lead to irritation.

Usage of salicylate drugs, including aspirin, benefit you in the following ways: 

First, as a pain reliever, second, as an antipyretic that reduces fever, and, third, as an anti-inflammatory drug reducing  inflammation and swelling. These three combined can alleviate the pain and improve the condition of your blister.

You can take as little as 75mg of aspirin a day. This dose will help your blister dry out and get better. However, you may take up to 600mg every 4 hours or as directed. Still, do not consume more than 3.6 g a day.

It is highly advisable not to drain or pop a blister, especially if you want to do it on your own. If your blister is not huge or overly painful, refrain from doing it.

Do not drain a blister of any size if you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, as the risk of infection is too high. Another serious reason to refrain from self-draining is if you think that a blister might be from a contagious disease, e.g. chickenpox because the virus can be spread to another person.

Consider asking for a doctor's assistance. However, if you have none of the conditions mentioned above and still want to pop that blister be sure to it right.

What to do:

1. Check for potential signs of infection before touching a blister (the blister may be secreting yellow or green pus, the area becomes increasingly swollen or inflamed). If there are, call the doctor, if not - continue.
2. Wash your hands. Be generous with the water and soap! Clean the blister. Use a clean swab with water and soap. Refrain from using alcohol or iodine. Sterilize a needle or a pin with alcohol and a clean swab or pad.
3. Stay calm, try not to make any jerky movements. Make sure that all your movements are precise. Puncture the side of the blister in several spots. Puncture the blister in a few spots, preferably those, which are close to the blister’s edge. Soak up the draining excessive fluid with a clean piece of cotton or gauze.
4. Apply antibiotic ointment. Then put gauze or an adhesive bandage or both over the area (focus on your feelings at the moment). Secure the gauze with medical tape. Wait for 2-3 days. Change the bandage at least once a day or anytime it gets dirty. 
5. After 2-3 days, cut away and remove the dead skin (do that with sterilized scissors or tweezers). Make sure that the area is clean. Apply more antibiotic ointment and bandage again until healed.

Burn blisters on hands require special treatment, and they might swell and be painful. Treating them quickly and in the correct way will speed up the healing.

What to do:

1. Soak the entire hand in the cool (not ice cold) water for 5-20 minutes. The cool water will remove the heat and debris from the burn. However, if the blisters ruptured, skip soaking.
2. Wrap the blisters in sterile gauze in order to protect the area and keep it clean. Avoid applying direct pressure and tightly putting the gauze on. Instead, tie it loosely or tape the ends. Do not use any adhesive directly on a burn.
3. Take an over-the-counter medication for pain, e.g. ibuprofen. Let the burn blisters be for 24 hours. Be careful while using the burned hand in order to avoid opening the blisters.
4. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, avoiding the burned area so as not to pass the bacteria to the burn. Remove the gauze. If it sticks to the skin, soak it in water first. Check for any signs of infection such as swelling, redness and fever.
5. Gently clean the blistered skin with water. Apply an antibiotic ointment onto the area. Bandage the affected area with gauze again. Continue to check it every day for infection.