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Friction Blisters: Treatment & Medication

Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Coauthor(s): Kuljit Chima, MD, Fellow, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; W Clark Lambert, MD, PhD, Professor and Head, Dermatopathology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 30, 2008

Treatment

Medical Care

Management of friction blisters includes sterile drainage of the site while leaving the blister roof intact to serve as a dressing. This method helps relieve some discomfort and protects the site from superinfection. A donut of moleskin may also be applied to minimize additional trauma to the blister and to relieve discomfort. If the blister roof is already fully or partially removed, treat the site as an open wound with appropriate antiseptic and surgical bandage application. Hydrocolloid dressings have also been proven to decrease discomfort and encourage healing. Some recommend debridement of the skin of the blister, the use of a topical containing nitrofurazone, and the application of a bandage.5

  • Prompt attention to friction blisters is important to prevent the development of secondary impetigo with possible cellulitis and sepsis.
  • Institute appropriate systemic antibiotic therapy if impetigo develops.

Medication

Institute appropriate systemic antibiotic therapy if impetigo develops.

More on Friction Blisters

Overview: Friction Blisters
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Friction Blisters
Treatment & Medication: Friction Blisters
Follow-up: Friction Blisters
References
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References

  1. Hoeffler DF. Friction blisters and cellulitis in a navy recruit population. Mil Med. May 1975;140(5):333-7. [Medline].

  2. Gerhardt LC, Strässle V, Lenz A, Spencer ND, Derler S. Influence of epidermal hydration on the friction of human skin against textiles. J R Soc Interface. Mar 10 2008;[Medline].

  3. Dai XQ, Li Y, Zhang M, Cheung JT. Effect of sock on biomechanical responses of foot during walking. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). Mar 2006;21(3):314-21. [Medline].

  4. Sasmaz S, Karaoguz A, Uzel M, Coban YK. Pyogenic granuloma on the hand subsequent to friction blister in a hand surgeon. Dermatol Online J. 2006;12(3):22. [Medline].

  5. Sevilla JA, Rodriguez FM, Dallasta RM. [The treatment of blisters caused by friction while hiking the Road to Santiago]. Rev Enferm. Jan 2007;30(1):32-6. [Medline].

  6. Knapik JJ, Reynolds K, Barson J. Influence of an antiperspirant on foot blister incidence during cross-country hiking. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 1998;39(2 Pt 1):202-6. [Medline].

  7. Reynolds K, Darrigrand A, Roberts D, Knapik J, Pollard J, Duplantis K, et al. Effects of an antiperspirant with emollients on foot-sweat accumulation and blister formation while walking in the heat. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 1995;33(4):626-30. [Medline].

  8. Jagoda A, Madden H, Hinson C. A friction blister prevention study in a population of marines. Mil Med. Jan 1981;146(1):42-4. [Medline].

  9. Knapik JJ, Hamlet MP, Thompson KJ, Jones BH. Influence of boot-sock systems on frequency and severity of foot blisters. Mil Med. Oct 1996;161(10):594-8. [Medline].

  10. Smith W, Walter J Jr, Bailey M. Effects of insoles in Coast Guard basic training footwear. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. Dec 1985;75(12):644-7. [Medline].

  11. Spence WR, Shields MN. Insole to reduce shearing forces on the soles of the feet. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Aug 1968;49(8):476-9. [Medline].

  12. Spence WR, Shields MN. New insole for prevention of athletic blisters. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. Sep 1968;8(3):177-80. [Medline].

  13. Akers WA. Measurements of friction injuries in man. Am J Ind Med. 1985;8(4-5):473-81. [Medline].

  14. Akers WA, Leonard F, Ousterhout DK, Cortese TA Jr. Treating friction blisters with alkyl- -cyanoacrylates. Arch Dermatol. Apr 1973;107(4):544-7. [Medline].

  15. Akers WA, Sulzberger MB. The friction blister. Mil Med. Jan 1972;137(1):1-7. [Medline].

  16. Darrigrand A, Reynolds K, Jackson R, Hamlet M, Roberts D. Efficacy of antiperspirants on feet. Mil Med. May 1992;157(5):256-9. [Medline].

  17. Epstein WL, Fukuyama K, Cortese TA. Autoradiographic study of friction blisters. RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Arch Dermatol. Jan 1969;99(1):94-106. [Medline].

  18. Herring KM, Richie DH Jr. Friction blisters and sock fiber composition. A double-blind study. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. Feb 1990;80(2):63-71. [Medline].

  19. Hunter JA, McVittie E, Comaish JS. Light and electron microscopic studies of physical injury to the skin. II. Friction. Br J Dermatol. May 1974;90(5):491-9. [Medline].

  20. Knapik JJ, Reynolds KL, Duplantis KL, Jones BH. Friction blisters. Pathophysiology, prevention and treatment. Sports Med. Sep 1995;20(3):136-47. [Medline].

  21. Rumball JS, Lebrun CM, Di Ciacca SR, Orlando K. Rowing injuries. Sports Med. 2005;35(6):537-55. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

cellulitis, sepsis, impetigo, moleskin

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kuljit Chima, MD, Fellow, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Kuljit Chima, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

W Clark Lambert, MD, PhD, Professor and Head, Dermatopathology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
W Clark Lambert, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, International Academy of Pathology, Medical Society of New Jersey, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robin Travers, MD, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jeffrey Meffert, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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