Blisters

Skin blisters result when the upper layer of skin detaches from the lower layer because of injury-these accumulate fluids and form bubbles of fluid on the surface of the skin. The spaces in blisters are filled by serum fluids leaking from the injured skin.

Typically most blisters on the skin are caused by injuries to the tissue of the skin through continued friction, and from injuries during second-degree burns, caused by various chemicals which may be extremely acidic or alkaline, aside from these severe allergic reactions occurring along the skin may also bring about blister formation. The development of acute allergic reactions from ingested medications or infections can sometimes cause the formation of blisters all over the skin on the entire body.

Blisters are less pronounced and much less painful if a good supply of nutrients is consumed regularly and used to reduce the inflammation arising after an injury to the skin. The essential fatty acids like linolenic acid and linoleic acid are the vital nutrients to provide relief during this period, these essential fatty acids are found in abundant quantities in unrefined and cold-pressed vegetable oils such as the oil of the flax seed, the sunflower oil or in the walnut oil. The formation of anti-inflammatory agents called prostaglandins is carried out in the body through the transformation of these ingested essential fatty acids.
The effective healing of the skin is achieved faster when the person consumes a diet which is rich in fresh and leafy green vegetables, along with these yellow and orange fruits and vegetables also provide the vitamins A and C which are the actual active compounds which heal skin. The dark-colored fruits such as blueberries and the white part of citrus fruits are rich in compounds called bioflavonoids that speed healing along with the vitamin C. Diets must therefore contain food groups which are rich in both compounds.

Supplements and herbs

The speed of tissue healing and the prevention of infection in the affected regions of the skin after blister formation can be achieved through continuous and regular daily supplements using supplemental vitamin C along with the compounds known as bioflavonoids. These two supplements working together provide an excellent relief to the blister affected region of the skin.

While it leads to the healing of the blister affected skin, the use of external herbal treatments also proves to be very soothing to the skin and promotes the rapid healing of skin.

The supplemental forms of the oil of the St. John's wort herb or the tea tree oil diluted in olive oil can be applied onto the affected areas daily in the case of blister formation because of rubbed and raw skin due to new or ill fitting shoes. An opened blister can be treated by dabbing some calendula ointment on it. To dry and heal an open blister, the gel of the aloe vera can also be beneficially employed. The skin might be easily irritated by products that contain artificially made additives, avoid using such products on the blisters. The daily bath water can also be bolstered by adding an antiseptic infusion of thyme. Blisters can also be healed by applying crushed and fresh dandelion leaves or by dabbing dandelion juice on them. The plantain is easily obtained from lawns and fields, and the healing and soothing properties of the plantain can be profitably employed in the topical treatment of blisters. To relieve and soothe tired feet, place some plantain leaves inside footwear as a lining, the leaves can also be squashed and applied as a topical treatment for blisters.

Additional things you may do

Do not open or try to open up the blisters that have already ripened. Puncture the blister with a sterilized needle-prepared by holding a needle over some flame-only if the blister is likely to burst, after this is done, carefully drain the fluid away and apply a clean bandage, the possibility of infection must be avoided at all stages. To let the blister dry off by itself, make sure that the bandage is removed and the blister is aerated overnight. Comfortable footwear is a very easy solution to avoiding the formation of blisters on the soles of the feet. Treat the blister by spreading honey on a clean cloth and place this cloth on the surface of the blister-this will draw moisture away from the blister and aid in its healing. The bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of honey are well known and it is for this reason that its use is sanctioned here.

Usual dosage

• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg thrice a day.

Other beneficial herbs

• Benzoin Gum
• Celandine
• Lignum Vitae
• Neem
• Pipsissewa
• Watercress

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