Blisters on Feet
Causes and How to Help Them Heal
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Blisters on feet are typically caused by friction. A blister (vesicle) is a small pocket of fluid that forms beneath the skin as a result of an injury, allergic reaction, or infection.
A common but usually mild ailment, foot blisters are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Blisters can be round or oval and filled with clear or bloody liquid. The skin around the blister is usually red, warm, and tender to the touch.
Fortunately, most blisters heal on their own in a few days to a week. Blisters on the feet, however, have a high chance of breaking open, which can lead to an infection.
This article discusses blisters on the feet. It explains how blisters form and the different causes of foot blisters. It also provides details on how to prevent and treat foot blisters and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Friction
Friction, or forceful rubbing, is the most common cause of blisters on the feet. You can typically feel a friction blister forming.
Friction blisters occur from repeated rubbing against the skin. This causes the upper layer of skin to separate from the layers underneath. Fluid collects under the damaged skin and provides a cushion to protect the skin from further damage and allow it to heal.
What Causes Friction Blisters on Feet?
Footwear is the most common cause of friction blisters on feet. Wearing new, poor-fitting, or loosely tied shoes or shoes without socks can cause them to rub against the skin.
Spending several hours a day on your feet or walking or running long distances can also contribute to friction blisters.
Bunions, bone spurs, hammertoes, ganglion cysts, or other abnormal lumps on your feet can also lead to friction blisters.
How to Prevent Friction Blisters
To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters:
Always wear socks or nylons with shoes.
Break in new shoes by wearing them for short periods of time.
Make sure shoes fit properly and aren’t too tight or too loose.
Protect problem spots by applying petroleum or wearing a soft bandage or moleskin.
See a podiatrist if you suspect you have bunions, hammertoes, or other abnormal lumps on your feet.
How to Treat a Friction Blister
Most friction blisters heal on their own in about a week, provided you don’t re-injure it. These tips can help ensure it heals:
Avoid wearing the same shoes that caused the blister again until the blister heals.
Cover the blister with a loose bandage, moleskin, or foot pad. Don't put adhesive directly on the blister, which could tear the delicate skin. Instead, cut a hole that is slightly larger than the blister in the center of the moleskin or pad to protect it.
Keep the area clean, dry, and covered. If the blister pops, do not remove the roof of the blister, which is protecting the skin underneath it.
Can You Pop a Blister on Your Foot?
Friction blisters should be allowed to heal on their own. If you pop a blister, bacteria can enter through the broken skin and cause an infection. Some blisters pop on their own and should be covered with a bandage.
However, a large, painful blister may require draining to reduce discomfort. To do this, sterilize a small needle using rubbing alcohol, then carefully pierce one edge of the blister. This will allow some of the fluid to drain and relieve the pressure.
Excessive Foot Moisture
Excessive moisture can clog the pores on your feet, which, in turn, can lead to the formation of blisters between the toes and anywhere moisture builds up. Blisters of these sorts are common in runners due to the accumulation of sweat in their shoes and socks.
How to Treat Excess Foot Moisture
There are several things you can do to prevent the build-up of foot moisture:
Wear moisture-wicking socks.
Wear breathable shoes like sandals.
Change your socks or shoes when your feet become moist or sweaty.
Avoid shoes that trap moisture, such as leather boots, if you intend to wear them for a long time.
Use foot antiperspirant to reduce sweating.
When blisters form due to excess moisture, they can become more susceptible to infection. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent this.
Related: Best Socks for Smelly Feet
Sunburn
A sunburn is caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It can occur on almost any part of the body, including the tops of your feet.
Sunburn blisters can be extremely painful and may develop quickly based on your skin type, season, geographic location, and time of day you are in the sun. People often get these blisters when they fall asleep in the sun.
How to Treat Sunburn Blisters
Sunburn blisters usually heal on their own, but you can help speed your recovery in several ways:
Do not pop blisters as this can lead to infection.
Use a cold compress or take a cool shower to ease the pain.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Apply aloe gel to cool the feet and relieve pain.
Avoid further sun exposure by wearing socks when outdoors.
Drink plenty of water since blisters can cause your body to lose moisture and lead to dehydration.
Related: First Aid Care for Sunburns
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of rash that occurs when you come into contact with an allergy-causing substance, known as an allergen. The rash can develop within minutes to hours of exposure and last up to four weeks in some cases. Tiny blisters are common.
You can get allergic contact dermatitis by walking barefoot through poison ivy. If you have a latex allergy, shoes made with latex rubber can trigger a reaction. Similarly, socks made with copper-infused fibers can also cause a rash with blisters if you have a metal allergy.
How to Treat Allergic Contact Dermatitis
The best way to prevent allergic contact dermatitis is to avoid known allergens. If contact does occur, you can usually treat the rash with topical corticosteroids (steroids) to reduce inflammation and itching. Severe cases may need oral steroids like prednisone.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes itchy and scaly red patches on the skin. Although the patches are most common on the knees, elbows, torso, and scalp, they can also develop on the hands and feet.
Psoriasis occurs because the immune system is overactive and speeds up skin cell growth. This causes cells to accumulate faster than they can be shed, causing thick, flaky areas of skin called plaques. Tiny blisters can form as fluids beneath the skin start to pool.
A rare form of psoriasis, known as pustular psoriasis, can cause white or yellow blisters filled with pus. When it affects the feet, it is called palmoplantar pustular psoriasis.
How to Treat Foot Psoriasis
Foot psoriasis may be treated with the following medications and therapies:
Occlusive steroid therapy involves covering the foot with plastic after applying steroid cream.
Oral retinoids are drugs taken by mouth that slow skin cell growth
Topical calcineurin inhibitors are drugs that suppress the immune response.
Phototherapy uses a special band of UV light to slow skin cell growth.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Although dyshidrotic eczema typically affects the hands, it can also cause blisters on the soles of the feet. The outbreak of blisters, which resembles tapioca pudding, can flare up suddenly and resolve just as quickly. Young adults are most commonly affected.
Dyshidrotic eczema is often triggered by contact with concrete, nickel, or cobalt as well as personal care products like shampoo or soap. Stress, sweat, and heat are other potential triggers. The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown but does not involve an allergic reaction.
How to Treat Dyshidrotic Eczema
The treatment of dyshidrotic eczema is focused on caring for the blisters. This may involve medicated soaks and cool compresses to dry out the blisters and ease discomfort. Moisturizers and lotions can reduce skin dryness as well as the risk of flare-ups.
Mild cases may be treated with topical corticosteroids. If your condition is severe, oral steroids or a steroid shot may be preferred.
Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis
Vesiculobullous tinea pedis is a type of athlete’s foot that affects the inner surfaces of your feet. It is caused by an overgrowth of fungus that thrives in damp, warm environments like sweaty socks. It is called vesiculobullous because it involves vesicles (tiny fluid-filled sacs) and bullae (large blisters).
People who wear closed-toe shoes in hot, humid environments are more susceptible to this type of athlete’s foot. Other risk factors include obesity, a weakened immune system, and residing in a long-term care facility.
How to Treat Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis
Vesiculobullous tinea pedis, like any other form of athlete’s foot, is treated with topical antifungal medications. They are applied to the skin once or twice daily to help clear the fungus. The treatment lasts between two and four weeks, but recurrence is common.
Insect Bites
Insect bites are incredibly common and, depending on the type, can cause rash, itching, pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. Spider bites especially are known to cause a tiny but sometimes painful blister at the site of the injury. Fire ants and ticks can do the same.
How to Treat Insect Bites
Insect bites usually clear on their own, but there are things you can do to help ease the discomfort:
Use an over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream to treat itch and swelling.
Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Advil (ibuprofen).
Take an OTC antihistamine like Claritin (loratadine) to relieve swelling and itch.
Apply an ice pack to the bite to reduce itching and swelling.
Learn More: How to Treat Insect Bites and Spider Stings
Stasis Dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis occurs when there is poor blood circulation in the lower legs. The condition develops when valves in a vein are too weak to push blood toward the heart.
Symptoms of stasis dermatitis can include:
Red rash or bumps that can blister and ooze
Itching
Dry, scaly skin
A heavy feeling in the legs after sitting or standing
The oozing blisters can sometimes turn into ulcers if left untreated and leave behind unsightly scars.
How to Treat Stasis Dermatitis
The treatment of stasis dermatitis almost always involves compression socks to improve circulation and prevent the pooling of blood in your legs.
Your healthcare provider may also advise you to do the following:
Elevate the legs every two hours to reduce swelling.
Avoid foods that are high in salt.
Use topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Use a topical antibiotic to treat minor infections.
Laser therapy can be used to unblock obstructions in veins that impede blood flow. Another treatment called foam sclerotherapy injects a foam substance into damaged veins to redirect blood flow to healthier veins.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a genetic disorder in which any minor injury or friction can cause the skin to blister. Mild cases affect the hands and feet, but severe cases can cause blisters to form all over the body, increasing the risk of infection and dehydration.
Over time, the condition can also cause the skin on the hands and feet to become hard and thick.
How to Treat Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex
The treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex is mainly focused on protecting the skin from any friction or injury.
Your healthcare provider may also advise the following:
Use wound dressings to protect the skin while it heals.
Wear soft footwear that doesn’t irritate the foot or cause friction.
Use foot antiperspirant to reduce the risk of blistering.
Apply topical keratolytics (medications that dissolve skin flakes and scales) to the soles of the feet to keep them from hardening.
Use topical antibiotics to treat minor infections.
Prescription medications such as Fulsuvez (birch triterpenes) for wound treatment.
Takeaway
In December 2023, the FDA approved Fulsuvez (birch triterpenes) to treat wounds caused by dystrophic and junctional EB in individuals 6 months and older. Fulsuvez is applied topically during every wound dressing change until the wound is fully healed.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Blisters on the feet can be difficult to heal, especially if you work on your feet, are an avid walker or runner, or are an athlete training for competition.
See your healthcare provider if a friction blister does go away after two weeks or shows any signs of infection, such as:
Foul-smelling drainage
Increased warmth
Pain that is severe, last for more than a week, or is not improving
Pus (a thick white, yellowish, or green-tinged fluid)
Redness or streaking extending from the blistered area
Swelling
Whole-body symptoms, such as a fever
Foot blisters accompanied by the following symptoms also warrant a visit to a healthcare provider:
Blistering rash on other parts of your body
Blisters of unknown cause that don't resolve in a few days
Foot rash or blister that does not clear up after two weeks of at-home treatment
Leg swelling
Recurring foot blisters that appear in the same spots should be evaluated by a podiatrist. Foot blisters that return can be a sign of bunions, hammertoes, or other structural abnormalities on your feet.
People with diabetes, neuropathy, or circulatory problems need to take extra care to prevent foot infections. Examine your feet daily, treat blisters or cuts promptly, and see a podiatrist if you have any signs of infection.
Summary
Various conditions can cause blisters to form on your feet. These include excess moisture and sunburn to common skin conditions like athlete's foot, allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Less common causes include stasis dermatitis caused by poor blood circulation and a rare genetic disorder called epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Even some insect bites cause blisters.
Although the treatment of foot blisters varies by the underlying cause, proper foot care and hygiene are essential irrespective of the cause.
A Word From Verywell
Most foot blisters require little or no treatment other than keeping them clean and covering them with a bandage while they heal.
However, if one or more blisters appear for no reason or either persist or worsen despite treatment, speak with your healthcare provider. They could be a sign of an undiagnosed condition in need of specific treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a blister is infected?
A blister will only get infected when it pops. You can tell it's infected when the broken tissue is red, swollen, and painful. Severe infections can lead to worsening pain, fever, a pus-like discharge, and a general feeling of unwellness.
How do you break in shoes so you don't get blisters?
To prevent friction blisters, wear thick socks and/or use cushioned insoles to protect your feet as you gradually break in new shoes. Wear the shoes for only short periods of time until they are amply softened. Tie the shoelaces tightly so your feet don't move around. And, most importantly, buy the right size shoe for your feet!
What heals blisters on the feet quickly?
The best way to help foot blisters quickly is to keep off your feet as much as possible. Cushion the blisters with blister pads, or wear sandals or slippers that don't rub against the blister. Popping blisters won't help them heal any faster.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
