A blister is a raised boil that is filled with fluid. Blisters may form anywhere on the skin; on the heel it occurs in response to shoe rubbing or irritation.
A blister on the heel is a tiny pocket of fluid in the skin’s upper layers, characteristically occurring due to forceful rubbing, friction, very high temperature, freezing, exposure to some chemical or infection.
On the foot, they are most likely to develop on the back of the heel and sides of the foot. They are accompanied by uneasiness, burning and pain as they rub against your footwear.
What Causes Blisters On Heels?
Commonly seen causes for blisters on heels are:
- Shoe rubbing causes friction and abrasion which occurs when improperly fitting shoes rub against the heel or the sides of the foot.
- Extreme temperatures cause blisters.
- Chemical exposure is another significant cause.
- Sunburn also occasionally triggers blister formation.
Home Remedies To Heal Blisters On Heels
Follow the following guidelines and it will help you get rid of blisters successfully:
- Ensure that you always wear well-fitting shoes and wear shoes that are specially designed for your activities.
- Make sure that you wear socks, particularly with new shoes or shoes that have rough areas that could cause abrasion.
- Special athletic socks are obtainable which provide additional padding in acute areas. You may also attach moleskin to the inside of your shoe where it tends to rub, such as at the heel.
- If the blister is not too painful, keep it unbroken. Intact skin over the blister will provide a natural barricade to microbes and will prevent infection.
- A small blister should be covered with a bandage, and a large one with plastic-coated gauze which will absorb moistness and will permit the skin to breathe.
- Do not rupture the blister unless it is too sore or prevents you from walking.
- Another thing to bear in mind is that in case you have diabetes mellitus or poor circulation, talk to your doctor before considering any self-care measures.
- To allay the pain, drain the fluid whilst leaving the overlying skin unbroken. Here’s how you do it: Wash your hands and the blister thoroughly with soap and warm water. Swab the blister with iodine. Take a clean, sharp needle and sterilize it by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Use the needle to perforate the blister, usually, near the blister’s edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the skin intact. Put on an antibiotic cream and cover up. Cut away dead skin after 3 to 4 days, using tweezers that have been sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Rub on an ointment and a wrap a bandage.
- Have 2 to 3 flakes of garlic daily for a week. Garlic is the most efficient infection fighter. It will expedite the process of healing and will ward off infections successfully.
- Tea tree essential oil is another extremely effective home remedy for blisters. Put 2 to 3 drops of the tea tree essential oil on a swab of cotton and dab over the blister. It will accelerate healing of the blister and will prevent infections.
Consult your doctor in case you see signs of infection around the blister; i.e. if there is redness, pus, increasing pain, fever, or warm skin.