Broken Blisters: Home Treatment

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Topic Overview

It's best not to drain a blister at home. But when blisters are painful, some people do drain them. If you drain your blister or if it has torn open, be sure to follow these steps:

  1. Gently wash the area with clean water. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
  2. Don't remove the flap of skin over a blister unless it's very dirty or torn or there is pus under it. Gently smooth the flap over the tender skin.
  3. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
  4. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

Watch for a skin infection while your blister is healing. Signs of infection include:

  • Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blister.
  • Red streaks extending away from the blister.
  • Drainage of pus from the blister.
  • Fever.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Current as ofMarch 20, 2017