Blister

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Blister (disambiguation).
"Vesiculation" redirects here. For vesiculation in geology, see Vesicular texture.
Blister
chemicals, friction, radiation

A blister is a small pocket of

plasma, blood, or pus) within the upper layers of the skin, usually caused by forceful rubbing (friction), burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid, either serum or plasma.[1] However, blisters can be filled with blood (known as "blood blisters
") or with pus (for instance, if they become infected).

The word "blister" entered English in the 14th century. It came from the

vesicle and bulla
refer to blisters of smaller or greater size, respectively.

To heal properly, a blister should not be popped unless medically necessary. If popped, bacteria can enter. The excess skin should not be removed because the skin underneath needs the top layer to heal properly.[2]

Causes

Friction: various sized blisters on the sole of a foot
second-degree burn
sulfur mustard
agent

A blister may form when the skin has been damaged by

epidermis) and the layers below (the dermis
). This fluid cushions the tissue underneath, protecting it from further damage and allowing it to heal.

Friction

Intense rubbing can cause a blister, as can any friction on the skin if continued long enough. This kind of blister is most common after walking long distances or by wearing old or poorly fitting shoes.

neuropathy or peripheral artery disease
(PAD).

Burning

This type of blistering is one of the tools used to determine the

degree of burns sustained. First and second degree burns may result in blistered skin; however, it is characteristic of second degree burns to blister immediately, whereas first degree burns can have blisters after a couple of days. Sunburn
can also result in blisters.

Blisters can also form on the hands and feet as a result of tissue damage incurred by frostbite.[7]

Chemical exposure

Sometimes, the skin will blister when it comes into contact with a cosmetic, detergent, solvent, or other chemical such as

mustard gas
.

Blood blister

A blood blister usually forms when a minute blood vessel close to the surface of the skin ruptures (breaks), and blood leaks into a tear between the layers of skin. This can happen if the skin is crushed, pinched or aggressively squeezed.

Medical conditions

There are also a number of medical conditions that cause blisters. The most common are

eczema called dyshidrosis
. Other, much rarer conditions that cause blisters include:

  • Bullous pemphigoid: a skin disease that causes large, tightly filled blisters to develop, usually affecting people over the age of 60.
  • Pemphigus: a serious skin disease in which blisters develop if pressure is applied to the skin; the blisters burst easily, leaving raw areas that can become infected.
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis: a skin disease that causes intensely itchy blisters, usually on the elbows, knees, back and buttocks. The blisters usually develop in patches of the same shape and size on both sides of the body.
  • Chronic bullous
    dermatosis
    : a disease that causes clusters of blisters on the face, mouth or genitals.
  • Cutaneous radiation syndrome
  • Epidermolysis bullosa:[10] a genetic disorder that results in a detachment in the skin layers, resulting in easy bruising.

Pathophysiology

Friction blisters

Friction blisters are caused by excess shear stress between the bottom and surface of the skin and the body. The strata of skin around the stratum spinosum are most susceptible to shear. As the stratum spinosum tears away from the connecting tissues below, plasma from the cells diffuses out. This plasma solution helps new cells divide and grow into new connective tissues and epidermal layers.

The clear fluid will be reabsorbed as new cells develop and the swollen appearance will subside. Painful blisters located on hands (palmar surface) and feet (plantar surface) are due to tissue shearing deeper in the epidermis, near nerve endings. Lower tissues are more susceptible to infection.

Prevention

Friction blisters

Friction blisters, caused by rubbing against the skin, can be prevented by reducing the friction to a level where blisters will not form.[3][4][5][11] This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

Blisters on the feet can be prevented by wearing comfortable, well-fitting

shoes and clean socks. Inherently ill-fitting or stiffer shoes, such as high heels and dress shoes, present a larger risk of blistering. Blisters are more likely to develop on skin that is moist, so socks that manage moisture or frequent sock changes will aid those with particularly sweaty feet. While exercising or playing sports, special sports socks can help keep feet drier and reduce the chance of blisters.[12]
Before going for a long walk, it is also important to ensure that shoes or hiking boots have been properly broken in.

Even before a "hot" or irritated area on the foot is felt, taping a protective layer of padding or a friction-reducing interface between the affected area and the footwear can prevent the formation of a blister.

coefficient of friction (COF), but a friction-management patch applied to the shoe will remain in place much longer, throughout many changes of socks and insoles. This type of intervention may be used with footwear that is worn daily, with specialty shoes and boots like hockey skates, ice skates, inline skates, ski boots and cleats, or even with orthotic braces and splints. For periods of sustained use such as hiking and trail running, especially where water ingress or moisture build up in the shoe or boot can occur, moisture wicking liner socks
can provide the required friction protection.

To avoid friction blisters on the hands, gloves should be worn when using tools such as a shovel or pickaxe, doing manual work such as gardening, or using sports equipment like golf clubs or baseball bats. Oars used for competitive rowing are known for causing frequent blisters on the hands of oarsmen. Weightlifters are also prone to blisters as are gymnasts from the friction developed by the rubbing against the bars. To further reduce the occurrence one can tape the hands, and there are also a number of products on the market that claim to reduce the occurrence of blisters. These are all intended to be worn as a liner underneath a glove. The majority of these offerings simply add padding, and create a layer that reduces the coefficient of friction between the skin and the glove.

A

talcum powder
, can be used to reduce friction between skin and apparel in the short term. People put talcum powder inside gloves or shoes for this purpose, although this type of lubricant can actually increase the friction in the long term as it absorbs moisture. Increased friction makes blisters more likely.

Other

Sunscreen and protective clothing should also be used during the hottest part of the day to avoid blisters from sunburn. Avoiding sunlight during midday is the best way to avoid blisters from sunburn. Protective gloves should be worn when handling detergents, cleaning products, solvents and other chemicals.

References

  1. PMID 3358612
    .
  2. ^ "Should you pop a blister? When to do it, safe methods, and tips". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  3. ^ a b [Naylor PFD. "The Skin Surface and Friction," British Journal of Dermatology. 1955;67:239–248.]
  4. ^ a b [Naylor PFD. "Experimental Friction Blisters," British Journal of Dermatology. 1955;67:327–342.]
  5. ^ a b [Sulzberger MB, Cortese TA, Fishman L, Wiley HS. "Studies on Blisters Produced by Friction," Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1966;47:456–465.]
  6. ^ [Carlson JM. "The Friction Factor," OrthoKinetic Review. Nov/Dec 2001;1(7):1–3.]
  7. ^ "First Degree Burns". Uuhsc.utah.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  8. ISBN 9781437735727
    .
  9. ^ Commissioner, Office of the (2 December 2021). "Consumer Updates - Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants". www.fda.gov.
  10. S2CID 221861310
    .
  11. ^ [Hanna T, Carlson JM. "Freedom from Friction," OrthoKinetic Review. Mar/Apr 2004;4(2):34–35.]
  12. ^ "Treatment Skin Blisters – Blister On Bottom Of Foot – Blister On Foot". Goengo.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  13. ^ "Adventure Medical Kit Blister Medic Gel - BackpackGearTest.org". backpackgeartest.org.

External links

  • Media related to blisters at Wikimedia Commons
  • The dictionary definition of blister at Wiktionary
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blister&oldid=1204563689"