So one of our readers asked us this question the other day: How do blisters form and what is the purpose of the liquid inside the blister?
ANSWER
Blisters form when the top layer of skin gets detached from the lower layers, separating “plasma” sacs in the process. The plasma is completely sterile and serves to protect the lower layers of skin from further harm, basically nature’s band-aid with a bit of pain thrown in to keep you from doing more damage.
To pop a blister use a sterilized (wiped with alcohol or hydrogen-peroxide) sewing needle along the side of it, as low as you can go. Aim the needle into the fluid, it shouldn’t hurt. Press the plasma out, apply antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Done.
actually, not a good idea to pop a blister…. see, your integumentary system (skin) is your first line of defense versus infection… if you create an entry point by inserting a needle, even if the needle itself is sterile, it’s possible to give bacteria and other possible sources of infection a way into the body, where they can really cause harm…
i tell all my patients that if the skin isn’t broken, in any case, then don’t break it… leave it be, keep it clean and apply antibacterial cream or ointment, and cover it… the body will reabsorb the excess fluid after a while and it will be like it never happened…