If you have raised skin filled with fluid on an area of the body, you are likely suffering from a blister. Most blisters stem from friction between the skin and another material, as it causes the skin layers to separate before building fluid. Yet, not all blisters are due to poorly fitting shoes or clothing, and they could be a symptom of another issue.
As blisters are often painful, unsightly and annoying, you’ll likely want to get to the root cause before it becomes a problem. Here are four common blisters and how to treat them.
Genital Herpes
Never feel ashamed to seek treatment for herpes, as 70% of the UK population have the HSV-1 virus, known as a cold sore, and another 23% are affected by the HSV-2 virus (genital herpes).
Genital herpes can cause painful, fluid-filled bumps and blisters that can break open. It is common for the infection site to itch or tingle before the red blisters appear on the skin. Also, you might experience additional symptoms, such as:
- A mild fever
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for genital herpes, but you can lower the number of outbreaks by ordering Aciclovir, an antiviral medication, from Chemist Click. It is an effective way to treat the herpes simplex virus, which includes genital herpes, cold sores and more.
Impetigo
Impetigo begins life as an itchy, red sore that becomes crusty and yellow as it heals and a scab forms over it. It is a mild infection that often develops on exposed skin, such as surrounding the mouth, chin or nose, and it commonly affects children and babies.
If you or your child has impetigo, a doctor can prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment to apply to the sores for five to ten days. Also, soak one or more affected areas in warm water before directly applying an ointment or cream.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs hours or days after the skin contacts an allergen. It often appears as a rash with a visible border and may have weeping, oozing or crusting blisters. Also, the skin may appear red and scaly and feel raw and itchy.
Treat contact dermatitis by directly applying a dry skin emollient onto the skin to decrease its water loss. If it doesn’t work, a doctor can prescribe a topical corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and soreness.
Eczema
According to the National Eczema Society, 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 children in the UK have atopic eczema. It is a non-contagious, painful skin condition that may cause unbearable itching, unsightly rashes and fluid-filled blisters.
Also, different types of eczema affect people in various ways, such as:
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Discoid eczema
- Allergic eczema
- Atopic eczema
As there are various types of eczema, it is wise to book an appointment with your GP for a diagnosis and treatment. However, you can buy over-the-counter eczema medications to treat mild flare-ups.