Heat blisters are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the upper layers of the skin. The causes of such skin eruptions range from excessive exposure to heat or ultraviolet radiation of the sun to injuries caused by direct contact to hot objects or chemicals. This write-up will provide information on ways to treat and prevent such blisters.
A heat blister is a small, fluid-filled skin eruption that develops due to excessive exposure to heat or intense sunlight. The clear fluid that the blisters contain is known as serum or plasma. At times, these blisters can get infected. Under such circumstances, these may get filled up with blood or pus. While some heat blisters are painless, others can be quite painful. They commonly appear in clusters.
Causes
Generally, prolonged sunlight exposure or sunburn is the most common cause of this condition.
- Direct contact with a hot object can also cause blisters.
- High temperature and exposure to sunlight for a long time is known to cause prickly rash, which is one of the most common skin problems during summers. The main cause of prickly heat rash is the obstruction of the sweat glands, resulting in the appearance of small fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
- Polymorphic light eruption is another condition that can cause skin rash, and skin eruptions or blisters, due to sunlight exposure. People who are highly sensitive to sunlight can often face the problem of rash and small blisters, whenever the skin is exposed to intense sunlight.
Treatment and Preventive Measures
Most of the time, they heal on their own in due course without requiring any medical treatment. But sometimes, heat blisters can be quite painful, and take a very long time to heal. There are some simple remedies, that can provide instant relief to this skin problem.
- Apply an Ice Pack – An effective home remedy is the ice pack, which would provide considerable relief from the pain and burning sensation. You can also wash the blisters with cold saline water, and then apply gram flour or cornstarch paste on them. Leave the paste on the skin for about half an hour, and then wash with clean, cold water.
- Keep Your Body Hydrated – Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses) or juices of carrots and aloe vera which will help cool your body. During summers, take frequent cold showers, use a mild soap, wear light cotton fabric or loose-fitted clothes that allow the skin to breathe. In the afternoons, avoid going outside or prevent activities that lead to sweating, stay indoors and use air conditioning to cool the environment.
- Use Sunscreen – Apply sunscreen to a clean and dry skin about 20 to 30 minutes before leaving home. Choose a sun care cream that has SPF 15 or higher. We all know the damage that sun exposure can do to our skin, so always carry it along for reapplication (after 2-3 hours of the first application).
- Use Aloe Vera Gel – You can use aloe vera gel, lemon balm, mint extracts or olive oil on the blisters. This would sooth the blisters, and speed up the healing process.
- Other Options – Some other effective home remedies for sunburn and heat blisters are honey, milk, apple cider vinegar, plain yogurt, oatmeal and essential oils. You can also use antiseptic creams, cool talc or calamine lotion on the affected areas of the skin. At all times use a sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes during summer.
Note: Many are of the opinion that the blisters should never be popped or irritated. Instead, they should be left to heal on their own. And if the blisters occur in clusters, it is not possible to pop, and treat each and every one. Nevertheless, it is always safe not to irritate or burst the blisters.
If the outbreak is severe, and recurring in nature, talk to your physician. Blisters on the lips could even be cold sores or fever blisters, caused by the herpes simplex virus. So, it is always better to visit a physician who can diagnose the condition and find out a solution to treat and prevent them from recurring in the near future.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
