Dermatology

Skin Injury

Skin Injury | Blisters | Burns | Sunburn

Blisters

What are blisters?

Blisters are raised areas of collected fluid under the top layer of skin. Blisters are usually circular in shape. The fluid that forms underneath the skin is serum -- the clear liquid secreted from blood vessels that have been damaged. A blister filled with serum actually acts as a protective buffer for the damaged area.

What causes a blister?

Blisters can form as a reaction to external factors or certain skin diseases, which may include:

burns/scalds
sunburns
friction (from a shoe, for example)
eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis)
impetigo (a contagious infection of the skin)
phemphigus (a rare, blistering skin disease often occurring in middle-aged and elderly adults)
pemphigoid (a blistering autoimmune disorder)
dermatitis herpetiformis (a blistering autoimmune disorder)
viral infections (including chickenpox and herpes zoster)

The symptoms of a blister may resemble other dermatologic conditions. Consult a physician for diagnosis.

Treatment for blisters:
A blister will usually heal on its own. Treatment may include:

keeping the area clean
antibiotics (to treat infections)
dressings on burst blisters

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

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