How can I heal my blisters?
What are blisters?
A blister is a small fluid-filled bubble on the skin which is often the result of friction, burning heat, or pressure.
What causes blisters on feet?
Feet are more vulnerable to blisters due to the amount of force we put on our feet every day. It is important to understand the causes to prevent further damage to our feet.
Cause of foot blisters include:
Friction or irritation (often from shoes)
Foot biomechanics
Heat and burning
Heat and moisture
Insect bites
Fungal infection
Ill-fitting shoes
Most blisters on the soles of feet occur as a result of excessive friction and moisture, often due to ill-fitting footwear or with sports activities such as football, walking, running, hiking, and even tennis. Excess friction can also be the result of biomechanical causes such as foot bone alignment and arch profile. Frequent blistering may mean you need footwear advice or gait assessment.
In Sydney and Australia more broadly we often see sunburns and exposure as the cause of foot blisters, particularly in summer. It is important to be sun smart when the UV index is high, this includes putting sunscreen on your feet when not covered with shoes. Burns such as dropping a saucepan on your foot can also be the cause of blistering.
Infections such as tinea pedis and bacterial infections can also cause blistering on the skin of the feet. The treatment of these blisters will differ from those caused by friction or burns. Appropriate medications such as topical antifungal creams and even antibiotics may need to be considered in consultation with your podiatrist and general practitioner.
What is the best treatment for blisters on feet?
Blister treatment differs depending on the cause of the blister and it is important you discuss this with your podiatrist prior to commencing treatment.
Some treatments for blister management include:
Medications for allergies prescribed by your general practitioner for insect or spider bites
Blisters caused by burns (including sunburns) should be treated like other burns with the immediate application of running water.
Antifungal medication and antiseptics for the treatment of tinea pedis (fungal infection) related blisters
Ensure shoes are properly fitted
Lacing adjusted to prevent friction
Feet kept clean and dry
Spray or taping (if appropriate)
Appropriate socks
Custom orthotics or insoles for improved biomechanics
If blisters on feet persist, seek advice from your podiatrist for appropriate prevention and management techniques. We recommend that all blisters on feet are addressed by a podiatrist to prevent infection and encourage healing.
We treat feet from all over Sydney, particularly the Eastern Suburbs. As podiatrists in Bondi Junction, we are happy to treat anyone that comes to our Sydney clinic. Our local area includes Bondi Junction, Bondi, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Rose Bay, Tamarama, Coogee, Randwick, Bellevue Hill, Dover Heights, Vaucluse, and Edgecliff.
