How to get rid of blisters (Frequent outbreaks)

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.

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.

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). 

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.

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.

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 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.

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.