Blisters on the feet are lesions that appear on the skin, what can be the causes of the problem and how to intervene?
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousLe blisters on the feet they are lesions that appear on the skin that is raised and fills with liquid. But what can be the causes of the problem? It is possible to prevent and how to intervene in case of appearance?
This is not a serious problem but certainly annoying that can create pain, burning and, if it appears in certain areas of the foot, make walking difficult. Let's find out why and under what conditions blisters form.
Index
Blisters on the feet, causes
The causes of the appearance of blisters are basically of 3 types, as explained by Carlo Gelmetti, pediatric dermatologist at the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan. They can appear for:
- allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
- dyshidrosis
- mechanical causes
Blister dermatitis occurs when the person is allergic to some component of the shoes they wear or to the chromium salts that are used to tan the leather. In this case the blisters are characterized by itching.
Dyshidrosis, on the other hand, is a skin condition that causes small blisters to appear on the feet but also on the hands.
Finally, the mechanical causes, which are decidedly more frequent, are due to pressure and rubbing of the foot on the footwear. The situation is aggravated by the high temperatures and humidity, in fact summer is the time of year when you are most at risk of blisters.
Wearing shoes that are too tight, with high heels, with a particular shape, low quality or otherwise uncomfortable for the shape of the foot are among the most frequent causes of blisters. Even slippers, for example flip-flops, can cause problems, among other things, precisely the appearance of these injuries. According to podiatrists, this is due to the materials with which they are made and to the fact that the feet are often subject to continuous rubbing that can lead to the formation of cuts, wounds or blisters.
Long walks in boots in the mountains are another possible cause of blisters as well as burns or scalds which result in the appearance of water bubbles (however, it is difficult for this situation to occur on the feet, more likely the blisters from burns on the hands).
In summary, the causes of blisters on the feet are:
- Contact dermatitis
- Dyshidrosis
- High temperatures and humidity
- Using shoes that are narrow, wide, uncomfortable or not suitable for your feet
- Long walks in the mountains
- Scalds or burns
Blisters on the feet, natural remedies
You can try to disinfect o far heal faster a blister on the foot using simple natural remedies that most of the time we already have at home.
Water and salt or baking soda
To disinfect the blister on the foot, you can use a solution made of water and salt or water and bicarbonate. It will burn a little but will help keep the area clean and avoid possible infections that would make healing more difficult and slow. Bicarbonate can also be applied in the form of batter.
Aloe vera
One can be taken to help heal the bladder aloe vera leaf cut it in half in the long part and release the gel to apply on the area where the problem appeared.
Apple cider vinegar
Another natural remedy, able on the one hand to disinfect and on the other to promote skin healing, is apple cider vinegar from dilute in water at 50% and to be applied several times a day on the bladder.
Chamomile
Chamomile can be used to relieve discomfort and relieve inflammation dipping a sachet under water and then applying it several times a day on the bladder.
Calendula
Calendula is a plant with soothing, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. It can be used in the form of cream or oil with which sprinkle the area where the bladder appeared.
Tea tree oil
Another remedy to disinfect is to use a drop of tea tree oil diluted in half a teaspoon of vegetable oil. With this mixture you can sprinkle the area of skin affected by the problem, leave it on for about 10 minutes and then rinse.
How to intervene on blisters
The first thing that comes to mind in someone with a blister is to burst it. In fact, this practice is not recommended by most experts as the raised skin on the bladder helps protect against the penetration of bacteria that could create an infection.
The lesion should therefore heal spontaneously simply by protecting the area from further pressure and bacterial contamination by using a plaster, preferably one specifically designed for blisters. Gradually the skin reabsorbs the serum that has accumulated inside the lesion and the skin regenerates.
If it is a large enough bladder (at least 1 cm) it is possible, however, to pierce it to drain the internal liquid, disinfecting the skin first and then using a syringe to suck up the liquid and finally dabbing with a sterile gauze. All this without ever removing or lifting the skin covering the bladder.
On the bladder treated in this way it is good to then apply a plaster and obviously eliminate the cause that caused it to make sure that it can heal better.
After a few days the blister tends to dry up spontaneously and the skin to heal completely.
So remember if you get a blister of:
- Eliminate the cause that caused it
- Do not pop it and peel off the overlying skin
- Remove the liquid only if the blister is large enough and painful
- Wait for the natural healing by protecting it with a plaster
It is the classic grandmother's method to use needle and thread? Did we forget that? No, he is simply not recommended. In this way, in fact, even if we try to sterilize the needle by passing it under a flame, piercing the skin and then letting the thread pass through it to dry the internal liquid, we run the risk of letting in some bacteria exposing us to dangerous infections.
How to prevent foot blisters
Mechanical blisters on the feet can, in most cases, be prevented with simple good habits:
- Wear good quality shoes that fit your foot and are breathable
- Buy shoes of your size, avoiding both those that are too tight and those that are too loose
- In case of new shoes it is good first wear them at home for a few hours
- Use cotton socks or other breathable materials
- Maintain the hygiene of the feet and after washing them dry them well
You may also be interested in:
- Feet: Remedies and solutions to 10 common problems
- How do you cope in case blisters appear?
