Is It Bad to Pop a Blister? Probably — But Read This First

Most people are familiar with blisters. Whether it’s on your foot from a new pair of shoes or your hand from grabbing a hot pan, blisters are painful. So it’s natural to wonder if popping it will help it go away faster. 

But popping a blister isn’t always a good idea. Here, we’ll explain when and why it’s bad to pop a blister. And we’ll also explain what to do if it pops on its own (or if it has a little help). 

What causes blisters?

Blisters can be caused by various things, such as:

• Friction or rubbing

• Heat or burns

• Allergies

• Skin infections

• Medications

• Rashes and skin conditions

• Autoimmune conditions

The best way to treat a blister depends on what’s causing it. In general, it's best not to pop a blister. 

Below, we go through the more common types of blisters you're likely to encounter at home and how to manage each one. 

Friction blisters (blood blisters)

Friction blisters are common on the hands and feet. They’re caused by continuous rubbing against your skin. This repeated friction can cause the topmost layer of your skin to lift up, allowing fluid to collect underneath. 

Sometimes, the blood vessels in the area can leak blood into the fluid, making it look red or purple. In this case, it’s called a “blood blister.”

Friction blister causes

You may develop a friction blister from:

• Walking in a new, stiff pair of shoes

• Shoes that are either too tight or too loose 

• Lifting weights

• Sports that require you hold something, like golf, tennis, or rowing

• Any exercise equipment that rubs against your skin

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You’re more likely to develop a friction blister if you run, hike, or do military training. But blisters can happen to anyone. And they can be particularly bothersome if you're repeating the activity several days in a row. 

Friction blister recovery

The good news is that friction blisters usually go away after a few days. While you’re waiting, these things can help them get better and avoid new ones:

• Experiment with different gear. This may be as simple as a different pair of socks to help your shoes fit better. Or adding an extra barrier of clothing over the blister area.

• Use petroleum jelly. In addition to different clothing, you can also apply powder or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to prevent friction. There are also ointments and cream specifically designed to protect chafing skin.

• Protect the blister with a sterile bandage. It may help to add a little ointment underneath the bandage to help cushion the area. You can also buy special bandages that are meant specifically for blisters. 

Popping friction blisters

Don’t pop a friction blister if you can avoid it. Popping it may:

• Increase pain

• Eliminate a protective barrier for the raw skin

• Lead to infection

But, if your friction blister is very large and painful, you can safely pop it at home. To do so, take the following steps:

• Dip a small needle into rubbing alcohol to sterilize it.

• Clean the blister and surrounding skin. If you can, use an alcohol prep pad or other product designed to sterilize skin.

• Slowly and gently pierce a small hole near the edge of the blister. Drain the fluid.

• Clean the blister with soap and water again after the fluid has drained.

• Leave the top layer of the blister intact.

• Cover it with a clean bandage, or coat it with Vaseline to protect it while it heals.

Burn blisters

Burn blisters may be the result of heat, cold, or even exposure to certain chemicals, like ammonia. To better understand when you might develop a burn blister, it helps to know the different categories of burns:

• First-degree burns involve the topmost layer of skin, and they don’t blister. A sunburn is a common example of a first-degree burn.

• Second-degree burns extend below the top layer of skin. They can sometimes blister, which is what sets them apart from a first-degree burn. An oven or kitchen burn is a common example. 

• Third-degree burns involve all layers of skin. The skin may appear white or charred, or it may or may not blister. It may also be painless.

Caring for burn blisters

So, if you have a burn from a blister, this means it's either second or third degree. Minor first- and second-degree burns can be cared for at home, as follows:

• Rinse the burn with cool or room temperature water (avoid ice cold water).

• Gently wash with soap.

• Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment.

• Cover with sterile gauze.

• Repeat these steps if the area gets dirty or wet.

Seek immediate medical attention if your burn:

• Covers a significant amount of your body

• Is charred or painless, as these are signs of a deeper level burn

• Resulted from electricity, chemicals, lightning, or a house fire

And don’t pop a burn blister yourself. Doing so increases the risk of infection. Also, the fluid contained inside of a burn blister protects the skin and helps it heal.

Allergic blisters

If you touch something that you’re allergic to, you may develop a blistering rash. Substances and materials that commonly cause this type of reaction include:

• Poison ivy, oak, or sumac

• Nickel

• Latex

Sometimes, bug bites develop into allergic blisters too. Bug bites that often turn into blisters come from insects like:

• Midges

• Mosquitos

• Gnats

• Ticks

• Bees

• Wasps

Like friction and burn blisters, try not to pop these either. Instead, allow the blister to act as a natural Band-Aid to promote healing.

Infection blisters

Several different infections can also cause fluid-filled blisters, such as:

• Chickenpox: With time, these blisters open and drain on their own.

• Herpes: These blisters can also pop on their own before they turn into sores.

• Impetigo: The blisters from impetigo leave a golden, honey-colored crust if they pop.

• Shingles: These appear on one side of your body in a stripe shape.

• Scabies: Small, raised, red blisters may be a sign of scabies. They often appear in the skin folds between fingers and toes.

Other infections can cause a skin reaction that leads to blisters, known as erythema multiforme. This is a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition. But this is rare.

Caring for infectious blisters

You definitely don’t want to pop an infectious blister at home. The fluid inside is sometimes contagious. That means, if it does leak out, it can cause worsening blisters. And if another person comes into contact with the fluid, they’re likely to become infected.

More importantly, infectious blisters usually require prompt medical treatment. So it's important to see a healthcare professional rather than to try to manage your symptoms at home.

Is it bad if a blister pops on its own?

Every now and then, blisters pop open and drain on their own. If this happens, take the same steps that you would if you popped a friction blister at home:

• Wash the area with soap and water.

• Leave the top layer of skin intact.

• Pat dry and cover it with a clean bandage or petroleum jelly.

If a blood blister pops on its own, it can be very painful. To help, apply a towel and place a cold compress on top for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.

When to see a healthcare professional for a blister

It's important to see a healthcare professional if your blister is showing signs of an infection — or if it could be a symptom of a more serious illness.

Signs of infection from a blister

The following are signs of a developing infection around the blister:

• Increasing redness around the blister

• Pus or continued drainage from the area

• Skin that feels warm to the touch after the blister has developed

• Increasing or significant pain at the site of the blister

• Fever

Other symptoms

You should also see a healthcare professional if you start to experience any new symptoms. 

Most causes of blisters — like friction or heat — won’t cause symptoms outside of the affected area of the skin. So, symptoms in other parts of the body should be checked out. Some examples include:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue or malaise

• Muscle or joint pain

• Joint swelling

• Respiratory symptoms, like a cough

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Blistering or rashes in multiple areas

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Cherilyn Davis, MD

Cherilyn Davis, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in New York City. She has held local and national roles at the American Medical Women’s Association including board member of the physician division and physician chair of social media.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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