Should you pop a blister or not, that is the question, the answer to which is simple. Leave it alone. This article provides some information and tells you the reason for not popping the same.
A blister can be very painful, and simply the idea of popping it, even worse. There are reasons why you are asked not to pop blisters, however in some cases, you may simply have to pop them to get on with your daily work. These may either be blisters on the fingers or on the toes. Again, if they are very severe, it is better that you visit a doctor to take care of the problem rather than attempting to pop them yourself and increasing the risk of infection.
The Effects of Popping a Blister
In some cases, you may need to pop this skin condition. For instance, if you have them on feet that have been caused by a pair of shoes, and you need to get into another pair to walk comfortably, you may have to go ahead and pop them. While most of you may think it is alright to pop them, there is another, and in fact, rather serious side to this whole argument. The skin on them works as a protection against any sort of infection that may be caused as a result of the blister. When you pop them, you are increasing the risk of developing an infection, more so if you are a diabetic, that can only get worse over time. So, whether you should pop them or not is a decision that you must take very cautiously.
It has obviously been established that it is bad to pop them, as the chances of an infection increase drastically. In such a case, the best way of avoiding such an infection is to leave them alone. It will heal on its own. As mentioned earlier, popping a blister yourself should be a last resort to get rid of the pain and trouble it is causing you. If it pops on its own, try to retain the skin over it, as it will still serve as the most natural barrier against an infection, and will also promote healing.
How to Pop a Blister
Now, that you have decided to pop the blister, and that you simply must get rid of it rather than bear the agony it’s causing, here are some tips to do it in a manner that will prevent any further damage.
- Take a needle (even a sewing needle will suffice) and use rubbing alcohol to sterilize it. Ensure that it is not rusted. Another way of sterilizing the needle is to hold it over a flame, or simply put it in boiling water for a few minutes.
- Wash your hands well with an anti-bacterial soap before touching the needle or the blister. This is to stop the infection from spreading.
- Take the needle and hold it horizontally across the skin of the blister, till a hole develops and there is space for the fluid under the blister to be released. Apply a little pressure around the blister to remove all fluids including pus from it.
- Wipe the area clean with a paper towel, and immediately cover up the area with an antibiotic ointment to prevent the infection from spreading. Wrap up the affected area with either a bandage or some gauze, and clean it twice a day till it heals completely.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after you have finished the procedure, and discard the needle and other supplies that you used to pop the blister.
The consensus on popping a blister still remains on leaving it alone, or seeking medical attention to get rid of it, rather than attempting to do it on your own. Even if you think you can do it on your own, it is better to follow the aforementioned tips to the last word, so that you do it without creating the possibility of an infection.
Disclaimer: This WellnessKeen article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
