Dr. Chris Milkie Discusses Care of Painful Foot Blisters: Avoiding Serious Complications

November 20, 2009

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 20, 2009 ) Milwaukee, Wi. Dr. Chris Milkie, of Mayfair Foot Clinic, asks "Did you wear a pair of tight fitting shoes for an all day shopping event and now your toe hurts? Was your young daughter so very excited to try her new roller blades but now she complains of sore spots on her ankles? What is common to both situations? A foot blister has developed. A blister is a bump filled with fluid that often looks like a bubble."

Now that you have a blister, what do you do to make the pain and discomfort go away? You will be happy to learn that blisters usually can heal on their own. Using proper foot care, you will have relief of foot pain quickly and with minimal effects on your body.

If the pain is bearable, try and do everything you can to keep the blister from breaking. Keeping the blister intact is nature's way to keep out bacteria and lower the risk of infection. Only cover the blister if it rubs against something. If the blister does rub against something, make sure the blister is covered with a loose band aide, making sure that the tape is not on the blister itself. A large blister is best covered with a gauze pad which gives the sore a chance to breathe and helps absorb moisture. If the blister is on the bottom of your foot you will want to cover it with moleskin band aide which has a hole for the blister.

You only want to pop a blister if it's painful or prevents you from walking. (If you are diabetic or have poor circulation, you should ask your doctor or podiatrist before doing this on your own feet.) Popping a blister usually helps decrease the pain because you allow the fluid to drain out. Make sure you leave the skin intact to prevent infection.

Important things to remember before taking care of your blister:
Make sure you wash your hands and blister with soap and water. (Blisters can easily become infected)
Wipe the blister with iodine or alcohol
Sterilize a sharp needle by wiping with alcohol or putting it in flame
Use the needle to puncture the blister several places along the edge. Allow the fluid to drain out and leave the skin alone
Put an antibiotic ointment on the blister and cover with a bandage or gauze pad.
After several days you will be to cut away the dead skin. Make sure the tweezers or scissors you used have been sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Apply more antibiotic ointment and a fresh bandage.

Foot blisters usually heal on their own with minimal care. However, if you do see signs of infection redness, pus, increase pain, or warm to the touch- call your podiatrist. Otherwise, with time and good sanitary precaution, your skin should be good as new.

Visit Dr. Chris Milkie's blog at http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/blog/ for more information on prescription orthotics, and many other treatments to relieve foot and ankle conditions, or to get information on the newest, and highly successful laser treatment for toenail fungus.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Milkie, or to learn more about Mayfair Foot Clinic, visit http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/

Mayfair Foot Clinic
Dr. Chris Milkie
414-257-0676
webmaster@mayfairfootclinic.com

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