Blisters on the body

Blisters on the body are a very common phenomenon, and there are many reasons for blisters on the body. According to the specific causes of the blisters, the blisters can be divided into: friction blisters, cold and high temperature blisters, contact dermatitis blisters, insect bite blisters, chickenpox and shingles, etc. Different blisters have different symptoms and different treatments. Below, we will introduce the various types of blisters in detail.

1. Friction blisters

Friction blisters, named for their cause—friction—are the most common type of blister. Think back to when you got a friction blister. Did you wear new hiking boots? Or did you wear special gloves while gardening? This repeated friction can cause friction blisters on your heels, toes, thumbs, or palms.

2. Cold and High Temperature

Because extreme temperatures can harm the skin, both cold and heat can cause blisters. For example, not wearing gloves in the winter may cause frostbite and blisters, while staying in the sun for too long in the summer may cause sunburn and blisters. The same may happen with handling frozen items or touching the stove. Blisters may be a sign of a second-degree burn or a partial-thickness burn.

3. Contact dermatitis

Another type of blister may occur from contact with plants like poison ivy. They are often a symptom of contact dermatitis, which occurs when you come into contact with a substance that causes an allergy. However, the blisters are not necessarily toxic. Some people also react to soaps, perfumes, detergents, fabrics, jewelry, latex gloves, or substances used to make tools, toys, or other everyday items.

4. Insect bites

Insects may cause itchy blisters. For example, scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and sometimes crawl across it, causing a row of curved blisters. These blisters often appear on the hands, feet, wrists, and armpits. Flea and bed bug bites may also cause small blisters. The bite of the brown recluse spider is particularly "horrible", and the resulting blisters will burst into open sores. If your blisters are this type, see your doctor right away.

5. Chickenpox and Shingles

Some viruses may cause blisters. The herpes virus is the most common of these viruses and is found in people with chickenpox. Chickenpox is a contagious disease that starts with red bumps that turn into blisters and eventually form scabs. If you've had chickenpox, you may also develop shingles, which affects the nerves and may cause a painful rash with blisters. The CDC recommends that people 60 and older should get a one-time vaccine to prevent shingles, and people who have not had the disease should get two doses of the varicella vaccine.