Plano, TX, Foot Doctor Offers Advice for Caring for a Blister
It happens to many people–you get new shoes, or neglect to wear socks, and a painful blister forms on your heel or other parts of your foot. When you have a blister, it may be tempting to pop it. However, this can cause more pain and worsen your problem! The body will naturally reabsorb the blister and will gradually go away on its own. If necessary, you can also safely drain the fluid without popping it. Our Plano, TX, foot doctor explains what to do when caring for a blister.
Why Blisters Shouldn’t Be Popped
Blisters tend to heal on their own without any assistance. The skin that covers the fluid acts as a barrier between the wound and any possible bacteria. Opening a large blister can lead to infection and can make the healing process much more painful.
Treatments for Blisters
Most blisters heal on their own. However, if your blister is particularly painful (and you don’t have diabetes or poor circulation), you can carefully drain it at home. Simply wash your hands and the blister, apply iodine to the area, sterilize a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol and pierce around the blister’s edge to drain. Leave the skin intact, then cover with an antibiotic ointment, a bandage, and gauze. Check it regularly for infection and contact our podiatrist if any signs of infection appear.
It is important to avoid blisters in the first place. Blisters are usually caused by ill-fitting shoes or thin socks. Ensure that your shoes aren’t too tight and that you wear a thick pair of socks to cushion your feet and prevent blisters. If you have recurring blisters in the same spots, you may have foot deformities causing your problems.
When to See Our Doctor
If there is excessive swelling around the blister, pus, or it becomes very red and very painful, it could be infected and you should see our podiatrist immediately. Additionally, take extra care with blisters if you are diabetic. Popping or draining a blister, especially an infected blister, can lead to extremely dangerous ulcers in diabetic patients.
If there are bone structure deformities (such as bunions) that are causing your blisters, our doctor may be able to offer surgical intervention to alleviate the problem. Contact our podiatrist today to see if this option is right for you!
Get in touch with our Plano, TX, foot doctor to find out more today!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about hammertoe and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Dallas Podiatry Works, with a convenient podiatry office in Plano, TX, by calling 972.564.8556 or by clicking here.
Your Top-Rated Podiatrist in the Dallas & Fort Worth Metroplex
The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.
Derrick W.
The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.
Joseph B.
I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.
Jeannette H.
Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.
Meryl E.
I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.
Google User
Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.