Taking at Close Look at Five Causes Of Foot Blisters - The Texas Foot Specialists
/Foot blisters are a common occurrence among people who wear tight or ill-fitting shoes that causes rubbing between the feet and the skin. While this is often dismissed as a simple discomfort, it can affect how we go about our normal daily routine. Walking or running could become difficult. So before we dismiss it, let us take a closer look into foot blister and possible ways of treating and preventing it.
What is a blister?
A blister is a small fluid-filled pocket. It mostly forms in the upper layers of the skin since these layers are often loose which allows blisters to form easily. The usual fluid found in a blister is a clear and watery-like liquid and is not a major cause for concern. But this can be alarming when a blister is already filled with blood and if you can already see pus.
When foot blisters become severe and chronic, consult a podiatrist. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.
Five causes of blisters
- Shoes rubbing against the foot
- Friction
- Shoes that do not fit properly
- Walking for long periods of time
- Moist foot
What should I do?
- Blisters may cause infection and pain. Hence, the number one priority for any blister treatment is to prevent infection and lessen complications. You can do so by doing these simple home treatments:
- Cover the blister with a sterile bandage. This will help the healing process as well as prevent any bacteria from infecting it.
- Using a sterilized pin, you can try to pop the blister. However, if you are afraid to do this by yourself, you can just wait for it to pop by itself as a new skin will form under it.
- If you can already see pus or blood forming in your blister, you need to consult with a doctor immediately. This may mean that the blister is already infected or that it cuts deep in your skin. Your doctor may give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria inside the blister. However, do not self-prescribe any antibiotics to yourself. It is still best if you check with your doctor what his proper prescription is.
Prevention
- Keep feet dry and ensure that the pair of shoes that you are wearing fits properly. Shoes that are too tight or too loose will only allow your feet to slide against it and can cause blisters.
- Place a bandage on the area where you think a blister is about to form so that the bandage can serve as a barrier between your foot and your shoe.
The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.