It is controversial to drain blisters.Some medical providers believe that blisters provide an excellent natural protective barrier to an injured area, while others think that trapped fluid can breedbacteria.The procedure described here is for draining blisters on the feet of runners and hikers.If it's large, painful, and likely to break, you should lance it.If it is clean, leave it intact.By draining the blister in a sterile fashion, you can help relieve some of the pain while still keeping the protective skin covering intact.
Step 1: It's a good idea to assess the blisters before draining them.
Not all blisters need to be lanced.Some experts recommend that you only drain blisters that are painful, in weight-bearing or high-contact areas, or larger than 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) in diameter.If the blisters are manageable, try to keep them intact.A piece of moleskin, felt, or tape can be applied.Make sure the stabilizing glue is at least 1.5 to 3.25 inches larger than the blisters and has a central hole that can fit the entire blisters.The antibiotic should be applied through the hole in your moleskin.To completely cover the blisters, use a large piece of clean gauze over the moleskin/felt/tape.
Step 2: You should wash your hands.
It's important to have a clean wound site and clean hands.Make sure you wash your hands before touching the blister or trying to drain it, and make sure the skin around it is clean and dry.Wet your hands under the water.Apply soap to your hands while they are wet.The backs of your hands, between the fingers, and under the fingernails are where you should put the soap.You can wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, then rinse them under clean water.Use a disposable towel to dry your hands.The area should be washed with clean, running water.If you can position that appendage under the faucet, lather it with soap and wash it away.
Step 3: Disinfectant should be used at the site of the blister.
Even though you should have washed the site of the blister under clean water, there may still be residualbacteria that could cause an infection.Since you will be breaking the skin with a needle, it's best to sterilize the area and keep it clean.Rub alcohol on the skin around the site of the blister.The cotton ball or Q-tip should be soaked in iodine or rubbing alcohol to clean the blisters.Clean from the center to the outer edge using a circular motion.Take it one step at a time.Before applying, make sure the skin is clean and dry.The air should be dry before you start.
Step 4: To lance a wound, sterile a needle.
Before you try to lance the wound, make sure you have a sterile needle.Before piercing the skin with the needle, you'll want to make sure it's sterile.A clean, sharp needle is what you should choose.A dull needle will not lance well and a dirty or rusty one will raise the risk of an infection.If you are using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the needle, you should use a cotton swab and wipe it down.You can also use a lit flame to sterilize the needle.To ensure a more sterile needle, you may want to wipe the needle with alcohol and then hold it over a flame.
Step 5: Remove the blister from its edge.
The needle should be on the edge of the blister when you puncture it.Don't pierce too deep and try to keep the needle parallel to your skin.The lancing needle should be inserted along the blister's edge.The opening up of more outlets will help facilitate draining.Two to four lance holes should be enough to drain the fluid.The lance holes should be spread out evenly around the blisters.
Step 6: The blister needs to be drained.
It's important that you drain the fluid from the blisters.The blisters will remain large if you don't get the fluid out.If the fluid won't drain on its own, massage the blisters.Make sure the skin is still in place.The removal of the skin flap will cause a lot of pain and may delay healing.The skin should be wiped dry with a clean disposable towel.
Step 7: It is a good idea to apply a protective cream.
You will want to make sure the wound doesn't dry out after the blisters have been drained.A dry wound can lead to broken skin and a lengthy healing period.If you don't have anything with anti-bacterial properties, you can use something like petroleum jelly or Vaseline to keep the wound from drying out.Make sure you apply the extra antibiotic at the lance punctures.
Step 8: Wear the wound.
To protect it from getting infections, apply a clean bandage that covers the blisters.Before applying the bandage, make sure the skin flap is covering the wound.You can either use a bandage that covers the blisters or you can tape something over the wound.
Step 9: The area should be washed every day.
Change the dressings and wash the blisters every day until they are completely healed.Follow the same procedure you used to do before lancing it, and make sure you take precautions so the wound doesn't get agitated.It's a good idea to use clean, running water and a mild soap.Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can delay the healing process.As you wash the wound, be very gentle.It is possible to irritate the lance wounds by scrubbing or other rough contact.Keep the wound moist with an antibiotic.To speed up healing, cover it with a clean dressing.
Step 10: Look for signs of an illness.
Infections can form on a wound despite your best preventative measures.Cleaning the wound and changing the dressings will greatly reduce the chance of an infection, but you should still check to make sure the skin is healthy each day.Increased pain swelling/redness/warmth at the site of the blisters, red streaks in the skin, and a body temperature over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) are some signs to look for.
Step 11: Apply a new bandage.
Each time you wash the blister, use clean bandages andgauze.If the dressings get wet or dirty, you should do this at least once a day.This can help speed up the healing process.Make sure you keep applying the ointment to the lance wounds.Even after you've drained and dressed the wound, an antibiotic can help prevent infections.
Step 12: Try to strengthen the skin.
Toughening the skin is one way to prevent blisters.When no blisters are present, this is the best time to do this.It's a good idea to spend a few minutes every day working on the skin.If you want to toughen your palms while rowing on a crew team, you should rub the oar handle against them.If you try to toughen your skin too much, you may end up with a blisters.
Step 13: Fight on susceptible areas.
One of the main causes of blisters isction.Poorfitting footwear or lack of protection on the hands can cause Friction.Don't wear shoes that are too big or too small.If you notice hot spots on your feet, tape them up as blisters are likely to develop if they are not given attention.moleskin can be used on hot spots before they become blisters.Wear thick gloves when working with tools.
Step 14: Don't let your feet get wet.
A major source of blisters are wet feet.Some people are more prone to sweaty feet, while others may work outdoors where stepping in water is unavoidable.Whatever the reason, there are steps you can take to keep your feet dry.Change your socks as needed throughout the day to ensure you don't have wet cloth on your feet.It is possible to keep your feet from getting sweaty.