Is this your symptom?
- Raised pocket of fluid (usually clear) covered by skin
- Friction Blister: friction blisters usually occur on the palms, fingers, heels or toes.
- Blood Blister: raised pocket of bloody fluid, covered by skin. Dark red or purple in color. A blood blister can occur when the skin gets pinched (in a hinge or a closing door).
- Blisters when the cause is unknown are also covered.
Causes of Blisters
- Friction Blisters. Friction is the most common cause of blisters.
- Burns - Chemical(second-degree)
- Burns - Thermal(second-degree)
- Frostbite(second-degree)
- Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Viral rash from Coxsackie virus gives tiny blisters on palms and soles. It is more common in young children when it’s the first time getting this virus.
- Impetigo. Staph bacteria can cause impetigo with blisters.
- Insect Bites. Some insect bites (such as fleas) can cause small blisters.
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Sunburn(second-degree)
- Staph Scalded Skin Syndrome (serious). SSSS is caused by the Staph bacteria. The main finding is widespread large blisters.
Friction Blisters - Hands and Feet
- Friction causes most blisters on the hands and feet.
- A friction blister is a raised pocket of clear fluid covered by skin.
- Cause. A friction blister is the result of forces on the skin. Shear forces separate the top layer of the skin from the lower layer. This forms a cushion (blister) of fluid over the spot of friction or pressure.
- Common Sites. Fingers, palm, back of heel, top of toes, side of foot.
- Hand Friction Blisters. Hand blisters are often due to friction from using a tool too much. Examples are a shovel, pick, or rake. They can also be caused by sports equipment. Examples are a tennis racquet or boat oars. Gymnastics equipment (such as high bars) may also cause hand blisters.
- Foot Friction Blisters. Foot blisters are likely due to friction from an activity. Examples are hiking or running. Also, a risk factor to forming blisters is recently increasing the activity time.
- Prevention. There are two general approaches to prevent friction blisters. These are toughening the skin and lowering the friction force.
- Complications. Pain or infection.
- Treatment. Painless or mildly painful small blisters can be treated at home. Use moleskin or tape that has a hole cut in the center. Larger or very painful blisters sometimes need to be drained. This can be done by making a small hole in the blister. Use a clean needle or pin. Let all the blister fluid drain out. Then the blister can be covered with antibiotic ointment and a dressing.
When to Call for Blisters
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Fever and looks infected (spreading redness)
- Widespread blisters
- Cause not clear and blisters on face
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Looks infected (spreading redness or pus)
- Severe pain and you want your doctor to drain the blister
- Cause not clear and blister on one or more finger pads
- Cause not clear and new blisters are developing
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- No new blisters but cause not clear
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Normal blister from friction
- Normal blood blister from pinch injury to skin
- Questions about prevention of hand blisters from sports or tools
- Questions about prevention of foot blisters from hiking or running
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
