What Are Blood Blisters?
A blood blister is a mild skin condition that develops when something pinches the skin. Blood blisters appear as raised sacs on the skin that contain blood. While small blisters are called vesicles, large blisters may be called bullae. Most blood blisters are harmless, disappear without treatment within a few weeks, and do not pose any significant health issues.
What Causes Blood Blisters?
While anyone can get blood blisters after something pinches the skin but does not break the surface. For example, getting a hand caught in a door jamb may lead to a blood blister. Other reasons people may get blood blisters are as follows:
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Active people such as dancers, athletes, and those with ill-fitting shoes rub their skin.
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People who are involved in manual labor are at greater risk of de.
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Having sweaty feet can cause additional friction against the foot and the shoe, resulting in blood blisters.
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When the skin is exposed to high friction, including walking, lifting weights, or using a tool that repeatedly rubs against the skin.
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Frostbite can lead to blood blisters.
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People with medical conditions, such as kidney failure, may experience blood blisters in the mouth.
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People on certain medications, such as blood thinners, are at more risk of developing blood blisters.
In case of an unexplained blood blister in the mouth, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible to rule out the concerning causes.
What Are the Common Locations of Blood Blisters?
A blood blister will likely pop up under pressure on an area of the body. Common sites of blood blisters are as follows:
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Mouth.
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Feet.
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Fingers.
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Near the joints.
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Near bony prominences.
What Are the Common Symptoms of a Blood Blister?
Blood blisters look similar to friction blisters, but unlike fluid-filled friction blisters, they contain blood. Blood blisters appear as pockets of raised skin and can vary in size. In blood blisters, pressure breaks blood vessels and mixes blood with clear fluid. This combination of blood and clear fluid fills the pocket. Initially, the blood in the blister is light red, purplish, or black, but the color darkens over time. People may experience pain at the site depending on how they acquired the blood blister. In addition, blood blisters may be itchy.
How are blood blisters diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a blood blister is relatively simple. A physical examination is enough to diagnose a blood blister and detect potential local infection. In unexplained blisters, the doctor may need to perform tests to identify potential underlying causes of the blister. In suspected cases, the doctor may biopsy to see if the blister is more than a simple blood blister.
When to See a Doctor?
Generally, blood blisters are nothing to worry about. However, there are some conditions when a person should see a doctor, including:
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The pain from the blood blister is impeding the ability to do daily activities.
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If the blood blister appears for an unexplained reason.
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The blister shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, and warmth.
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Recurring blisters.
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Blister in unexpected sites, such as the mouth, eyelids, or genital region.
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Presence of multiple blood blisters at once without a known cause.
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An underlying illness, such as diabetes or issues with circulation, may cause delayed healing.
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The blister develops following an allergic reaction, burn, or sunburn.
How Are Blood Blisters Treated?
In most cases, the blood blisters heal once the trauma or repetitive movement initially caused it is removed. The doctor may recommend the following general instructions along with the medications:
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Avoid popping the blisters.
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Over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can be taken to ease the pain from the blisters.
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Let the blisters heal naturally. They usually heal within a few weeks without treatment.
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Keep the blood blister protected as it heals using a bandage to avoid additional friction.
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Avoid directing pressure on the blister by removing shoes. Instead, wear open-toe-wear.
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Thoroughly and gently clean a blister that has burst open.
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Seek medical help if the pressure from the blood blister is excruciating and needs to be drained.
How to Prevent Blood Blisters?
It is harder to prevent blood blisters. But, a few things can decrease the likelihood of developing a blood blister, including:
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Be careful when using sharp tools or things that can pinch. Wear gloves when working with tools, such as pruners and strong pliers.
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Wear well-fitted shoes that do not cause pressure points on the skin.
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Always socks with shoes.
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Keep the feet dry as much as possible.
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Use lubricants on the feet to reduce friction on the skin.
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Discard shoes that cause painful blood blisters.
What Is the Outlook for People With Blood Blisters?
Blood blisters are widespread and are something nothing to worry about. In most cases, the blood blisters heal without further complications. Rarely a blood blister may get infected, which may require additional treatment. It is important to know what caused the blood blister the first time. Working out the cause can help prevent blood blisters from returning to the same spot. For unexplained blisters, seek medical assistance.
Conclusion
While most blood blisters are annoying, they persist for a short period and subside in a few weeks without any treatment. However, suppose blood blisters pop up in unusual places for unknown reasons. In that case, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare provider to rule out other underlying medical conditions. Unfortunately, blood blisters are hard to prevent. However, a few steps can decrease the likelihood of developing a blood blister.
