A blister is a painful skin condition where fluid fills a space between layers of skin. They form when something — like too-tight shoes — repeatedly rubs against your skin. A blister, or vesicle, is a raised portion of skin filled with fluid.

Understanding the Context

You’re probably familiar with blisters if you’ve ever worn ill-fitting shoes, but they can be caused by many other... A blister is a small pocket of body fluid (lymph, serum, plasma, blood, or pus) within the upper layers of the skin, usually caused by forceful rubbing (friction), burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most are shaped like circles. Depending on the cause, your blister could itch or hurt a lot or a little.

Key Insights

They can appear as a single bubble or in clusters. Make sure you wear properly fitted shoes and moisture-wicking socks to help prevent blisters. You should cover any blisters to keep them clean and prevent infection. Blisters are temporary,... Blisters are usually minor injuries that you can treat yourself.

Final Thoughts

If a blister isn't too painful, try to keep it from breaking open. Unbroken skin over a blister may provide a natural barrier to bacteria, and it decreases the risk of infection. Cover the blister with a bandage or moleskin. If you get a blister, it's important to know how to treat it at home, so that it can heal quickly and you can avoid infection. However, there may be times when you do need to seek medical attention for a large or infected blister. If a blister breaks, wash the area with soap and water, then apply a bandage.

If a blister is very large or painful, your doctor may drain it and apply an antibacterial cream to prevent infection.