How to Make a Huge Blister Heal

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Approved

Blisters are fluid-filled pockets on the surface of the skin, which form due to friction or burns. They are most common on the feet and hands. While most blisters will heal by themselves without any need for home treatment, larger, more painful blisters may need a little help along the way. Luckily, there are many ways to treat a huge blister at home, and also prevent future blisters from developing. Start at Step 1 for at-home treatment, skip to Method 2 for home remedies, and read Method 3 to learn how to prevent future blisters.

Part 1

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Treating the Blister

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1
Leave the blister intact if it is not painful. The majority of blisters will heal naturally, without the need to be drained. This is because the unbroken skin covering the blister forms a protective shield which prevents infection. After a couple of days, the body will reabsorb the fluid inside the blister (known as serum) and the blister will disappear. This is the best option if the blister is not causing you any pain, as it minimizes the risk of infection.
- If the blister is on your hand or somewhere it will not be exposed to further friction, you can leave it uncovered as the air will help it to heal. If it is on your foot, you may want to cover it with a gauze or moleskin pad, which will protect the blister but also allow it to breathe.
- If the blister bursts on its own, allow the fluid to drain, clean the area well, then cover in a dry, sterile bandage until it heals. This will heal to prevent infection.^{[1]
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Although doctors recommend that you avoid bursting a blister if at all possible, in some scenarios it is necessary to drain a blister, especially if is causing a lot of pain or pressure. For instance, competitive runners may need to drain a large blister on the sole of their foot if they have a race coming up. If you need to drain a blister, it is very important that you follow the correct procedure in order to avoid infection.^{[2]
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The first thing you need to do is clean the skin on and around the blister using warm water and soap. Any soap will do, but antibacterial soap is best. This will help to remove any sweat or dirt from the area before you proceed with the draining.^{[3]
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Take a clean, sharp needle and sterilize it using one of the following methods: wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol; scald it with boiling water; hold it over an open flame until it glows orange.^{[4]
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Use the sterilized needle to puncture the blister in several spots around the edges. Use a clean piece of gauze or tissue to gently compress the blister, allowing the fluid to drain. Do not remove the loose skin covering the blister, as this will help to protect it.^{[5]
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Once all of the fluid has drained, dab a little antibacterial ointment or cream on the blister. Any over-the-counter antibacterial product will do, like Neosporin, Polymyxin B or Bacitracin. The ointment will help to kill any bacteria around the blister and fight off infection, while also preventing the bandage from sticking to the loose skin.^{[6]
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After you have applied the ointment, cover the drained blister with some gauze padding or a gel-based plaster. These will prevent any dirt or bacteria from entering the open blister, and also provide some comfort when walking or running if the blister is on the foot. You should apply a new plaster every day, especially if the existing plaster becomes wet or dirty.
After two or three days, remove the bandage and use sterilized scissors to cut away any loose, dead skin. Don't attempt to peel away any skin that is still attached, however. Clean the area again, apply more ointment and cover with a clean bandage. The blister should be completely healed within three to seven days.
In some cases, an infection will develop despite your best efforts to avoid one. If this is the case, you should see your doctor immediately. S/he may prescribe a strong topical antibiotic or an oral antibiotic to clear the infection. Signs of infection include skin redness and swelling around the blister, a build-up of pus, red streaks on the skin and fever.^{[6]
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Part 2

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Using Home Remedies

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Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil with effective antibacterial properties. It is also an astringent, which means it can help to dry out the blister. Use a q-tip to dab a little of the oil onto a drained or lanced blister once a day, before applying a fresh bandage.^{[7]
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Apply cider vinegar is a traditional home remedy for many minor ailments, including blisters. It can be used to ward off infection, thanks to its antibacterial properties. Apple cider vinegar can sting a lot, so you may want to dilute it to half strength with water before using a q-tip to dab it on the blister.^{[8]
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Aloe vera is a plant whose sap has soothing and healing properties. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and moisturizer, making it a great option for blisters caused by burns. To use, break off a leaf from the plant and rub the clear, gel-like sap over and around the blister. This is especially useful once the blister has popped, as it will speed up the healing process.^{[9]
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Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties, so soaking the blistered skin in a bowl or basin of cooled green tea can help to soothe swollen or inflamed skin around the blister.^{[10]
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Vitamin E allows the skin to heal faster and helps to prevent scarring. It can be found in both oil and cream form at the drugstore. Simply smooth a little over the blistered skin each day to promote healing.^{[11]
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Chamomile has soothing qualities and can help to ease the pain of a swollen blister. Make a strong cup of chamomile tea, allowing it to brew for five to six minutes. Once it has cooled slightly, dip a clean washcloth into the tea until soaked, then wring out the excess moisture. Press this warm compress against the blister for about ten minutes, or until the pain subsides.^{[12]
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Epsom salts help to dry out an unpopped blister and encourage it to drain. Simply dissolve some Epsom salts in a hot bath and allow the blister to soak. Be careful though, once the blister has burst the Epsom salts will sting.^{[13]
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Part 3

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Preventing Blisters

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1
Choose well-fitting shoes. Many blisters form due to the friction caused by ill-fitting shoes. As the shoes rub or slip against the foot, they pull the skin back and forth, causing the outer layer of skin to separate from the inner layer, creating a pocket that becomes a blister. To prevent this from happening, invest in good-quality, breathable shoes which fit perfectly.^{[14]
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- If you are a runner, think about going to a speciality running store where a professional can make sure you're wearing the best fit.
2
Wear the right socks. Socks are very important when it comes to blister prevention, as they minimize moisture (which encourages the formation of blisters) and reduce friction. Choose nylon socks over cotton socks, as they provide more breathability. Wicking socks, which are a type of wool-blend socks, are another good option, as they draw moisture away from the feet.^{[15]
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- Runners can also find special athletic socks which provide extra cushioning in areas most prone to blisters.
There are many products available over-the-counter which can be applied to feet before walking or running to reduce friction and the build-up of moisture. Try using a foot powder, which is sprinkled into the socks before wearing in order to keep the feet dry, or a cream which allows socks and shoes to glide over the skin, rather than causing friction.^{[15]
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Blisters often develop on the hands as a result of manual labour, such as using tools or shovels, or gardening. You can avoid such blisters by wearing protective gloves while doing such activities.^{[16]
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Blisters can easily form on sunburned skin. The best way to prevent this is to avoid getting sunburned in the first place, by wearing a sunscreen with a high SPF, wearing light, long-sleeved clothing, and wearing sunscreen. If you do happen to get burned, you can ward off blisters with the liberal application of moisturizer, after-sun and calamine lotions.
Blisters can form after being burned by hot water, steam, dry heat or chemicals, so you should make sure to take the proper safety precautions when handling hot objects, such as kettles or stoves, or using chemicals, such as bleach.^{[1]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I do about blisters on my feet that have popped and are sensitive? How can I prevent more from forming?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

1) Avoid re-injuring the area. 2) Re-evaluate your shoes. For example, you may decide to keep wearing them after they are more broken in or return them. 3) Keep your feet dry when you are wearing shoes as moisture increases the risk of blisters.

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Question

I got a bad friction blister and it is not healing. I have drained it but it comes back. What can I do?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

You are probably repeatedly injuring the area. Make sure you wear a bandage and avoid direct contact or pressure on your blister as much as you can. Also, if you are diabetic, you may want to check with your GP to make sure you are doing everything in your power to help the blister heal properly.

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Tips

Don't be tempted to pull the skin off the blister or to scratch it, as that will only cause further irritation.

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Make sure you only touch the blister if you have sterilized tools. Otherwise, you could infect the area with germs and foreign bacteria.

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Stay out of the sun after you have gotten blisters because it will lead to major overheating.

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Warnings

Don't scratch, peel, or rub your blister, as doing so can cause an infection.

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Helpful 123 Not Helpful 32
If the blister oozes anything except clear fluid, see a doctor immediately. Very serious infections can start with a little blister.

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Helpful 134 Not Helpful 40
Don't put vitamin E on a sore until it has healed. It stimulates collagen production; excellent for healing scars but it actually slows down the healing process.

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Helpful 119 Not Helpful 42
Blisters from burns are more prone to infection.

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Helpful 93 Not Helpful 45
Never pierce/pop a blood-filled blister. See a doctor.

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Helpful 101 Not Helpful 61
Approach unconventional treatments with extreme caution. The suggestions in the "home remedies" section are pseudoscience, there is no evidence they work. At best, they do nothing, at worst, they could give you an infection. Talk to your doctor before using any unfamiliar health product or treatment.

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If you drain your blister, make the smallest hole possible, sterilize your hands/equipment/blister with alcohol or blue flame, and use an antibiotic cream. Even small infections can be serious

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Do not "thread" your blister. By pulling the thread through once it's healed, you introduce millions of bacteria and it could become infected. (That thread has been there for days, think about what it could pick up)

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