Prompt treatment of blisters is important as they may get infected over time and cause immense pain and a number of complications. Several natural remedies can help you tend to your blisters at home.
Blisters are fluid-filled pockets in the layers of the skin that may be caused by friction on moist skin, burns, sunburn and skin infections. ‘To pop or not to pop’ is the impending dilemma that people face when they have to deal with a blister.Careful treatment can save you from a lot of pain and risk of infection. Fortunately, most blisters can be treated safely and effectively at home using natural ingredients and techniques.
Leave them Alone
Blisters are best left intact to minimize the risk of infections. Give it time to pop out on its own.
Meanwhile, reduce further friction and irritation by coating it with petroleum jelly.
Cover the blister only if it happens to be at a spot where it can easily get rubbed against or knocked. You may use a patch of moleskin or gauze layered with calendula cream or aloe vera gel.
However, try to leave the blister exposed to the air as much as you can.
If the pain and itching is too much to bear, apply a wet face washer to the area.
When a blister pops by accident, wash the area with soap and water and pour a drop or two of tea tree oil on the wound. You may also apply calendula cream or aloe vera gel to speed up healing.
After the blister drains naturally, apply comfrey salve, pawpaw ointment or chickweed cream twice daily.
Draining a Blister Safely
If the blister is hindering your daily activities or is located at a precarious spot, you may drain it – but with utmost caution!
Use a sterilized needle and clean the blister with surgical spirit.
Hold a sterilized piece of gauze over the blister and pierce it on the side with the needle.
Drain the fluid by applying pressure with the gauze pad but don’t remove the skin covering.
Clean the wound with an antiseptic and apply a Vitamin E or Calendula cream for faster healing.
Tips for Preventing Blisters
Always wear the correct sized shoes and verify your size every time you go shoe-shopping. Try to buy your shoes in the afternoon because that’s when your feet are swollen to their maximum size.
Powder your feet to avoid friction from socks and shoes. If your feet sweat a lot, consider using an antiperspirant.
If you rough up your hands a lot, protect them with fabric gloves and use tools with a cushioned grip.
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