Some people think they can take care of blisters on feet on their own. But dealing with these fluid-filled sacs at home can increase your risk for infection. For that reason, we suggest seeking blister treatment for larger or inflamed sacs that don’t self-resolve in a day or two.
What is a Blister? ![Foot with blister on heel]()
The fluid-filled sac of a blister builds up in areas of friction. That friction moves layers of your skin apart from each other. Fluid fills that space, creating the characteristic blister bubble. While most blisters are not problematic, they can be quite painful. In fact, tennis star Novak Djokovic, struggled through the 2026 Australian Open as a result of foot pain from a blister.
Now, because they’re often painful, and because they are fairly simple to pop, it can be tempting to do so. But when you pop a blister, you open up your skin to infection. So, instead, we want you to follow these instructions if you have blisters on your feet.
Blister Treatment at Home
Small blisters can be covered with a Band-Aid and left alone to heal. Clean and recover the blister after showering or sweating, in order to prevent infection. And avoid popping the fluid sac whenever possible.
If the blister empties on its own, apply an anti-biotic ointment to the open area of skin, then cover the site to prevent infection. Since the site is open, you should uncover the blister every day, cleaning it and recovering it with a fresh bandage until healing is complete.
Following these blister treatment instructions should allow for safe home healing. But if you notice and pus, swelling or redness at the blister site, that could mean infection—so you should come into the office right away, to avoid further complications.
You should also seek office treatment with Dr. Alvin Cowans for large blisters that interfere with your daily movement. Our Marietta podiatrist can safely drain the blister with sterile equipment, restoring comfortable movement without the risk for infection, because we can preserve the protective top layer of your skin.
When to See a Podiatrist for Blister Treatment
Most blisters on feet can be treated in your home. But you should come to the office right away if your blister site develops:
- Inflammation
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Pus
All of these symptoms could be signs of infection, meaning we’ll need to prescribe oral or topical medication to promote healing. Of course, there is another alternative. Instead of providing blister treatment in the office, we could help you stop these fluid-filled sacs from forming in the first place.
3 Simple Tips for Blister Prevention
Want to keep blisters off your feet? Here’s what you need to do:
- Ensure proper fit in your shoes.
Fluid builds up under your skin with friction, so finding a pair of shoes that fits well—both in length and width—is crucial for reducing rubbing, along with your risk for blister formation. You can also choose shoes that are constructed from leather or other natural materials. They tend to rub against your feet less, reducing friction on your feet and toes. And if you have a pair of shoes that feels stiff, try softening them up with sprays like this one—before you wear them—in order to protect your feet from all that blister-forming friction.
- Get Moisture Off Your Feet
Even if your shoes provide a perfect fit, your feet will rub against them if they are wet and sweaty. To help keep those feet dry, reducing the risk for friction in your shoes, choose athletic socks that wick moisture off of your feet to help prevent blisters from forming.
- Get Strategic About Pressure Points
Have you noticed that you always seem to form blisters on your feet in the same spot? Those are great areas to protect before you head out for a long walk or run. To reduce friction in these areas, you could apply a blister-pad to the skin. You could even apply Vaseline to blister-prone areas of your feet to reduce friction (of course, this option is a messier one.) But both options should help you avoid the need for blister treatment in the office. Of course, if they fail, don’t hesitate to call us at 770-727-0614 or follow this link to request an appointment. We’re here to help with all your skin and nail concerns, no matter how small, so give us a call today!