Tight shoes aren’t the only cause of blisters. Discover 13 medical conditions that can cause them, from chickenpox to infections and rare autoimmune diseases.
Blisters (vesicles) are raised parts of skin filled with fluid, often caused by ill-fitting shoes.
Most are annoying and painful but will heal without treatment. However, unexplained blistering should be evaluated by a doctor for another underlying cause.
Read on for 13 other possible causes of blisters.
Warning: Graphic images ahead.
1. Herpes simplex
The herpes virus causes painful blisters that occur alone or in clusters, weep clear yellow fluid, and then crust over. On the mouth, it
Most often, the viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause oral and genital lesions, respectively. Less commonly, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes.
The blisters may be triggered by stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure. The infected site often starts to itch or tingle before the actual appearance of blisters.
Learn more about cold sores and genital herpes.
2. Impetigo
Impetigo is a common bacterial infection in babies and children. It causes an irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily and form a honey-colored crust.
The rash is
Read more about impetigo.
3. Burns
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.
Burn severity is
4. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
The skin becomes itchy, red, scaly, or raw. Blisters can form, which weep, ooze, or become crusty.
5. Aphthous stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis is also known as a canker sore. it can be
The ulcers are round or oval with a red, inflamed border and yellow or white center.
Read more about canker sores.
6. Frostbite
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.
Frostbite is caused by extreme cold and can affect fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, or chin.
The symptoms
7. Shingles
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.
It’s a very painful rash of fluid-filled blisters,
8. Chickenpox
In chickenpox, clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters in various stages of healing all over the body.
The rash is
9. Dyshidrotic eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition that causes itchy blisters to form, often on the hands or feet.
The cause is unknown, but it may be related to allergies. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly skin and deep cracks.
10. Pemphigoid
Pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disorder causing a skin rash and blisters on various parts of the body.
There are various types of pemphigoid that are based on where and when the blistering occurs.
A red rash is often the first sign of pemphigoid. Later thick and large blisters form, containing clear fluid or blood. If they burst, they typically hurt.
11. Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disease that
It causes painful, itchy blisters that break and bleed easily and can cause pain when eating or swallowing.
12. Erysipelas
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin.
It’s usually
13. Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering, burning skin rash that’s
The symptoms include extremely itchy bumps filled with clear liquid that form and heal in waxing and waning cycles.
Most blisters require no treatment. If you leave them alone, they’ll disappear, and the top skin layers prevent infection. You can cover a skin lesion if it’s contagious, such as shingles, when there are active lesions.
Don’t puncture a blister unless it’s very painful, as the skin over the fluid protects you from infection. If the cause is friction, chemicals, or allergens, the best treatment is to avoid what’s causing your skin to blister.
Blisters caused by infections should be evaluated by a doctor. In addition to medication for the infection, they may be able to give you something to treat the symptoms.
Some conditions that can cause blisters, such as pemphigus vulgaris, don’t have a cure and can only be managed with medications. This may include steroid creams to relieve skin rashes or antibiotics to cure skin infections.
For the most common blisters — those caused by friction on the skin of your feet — you can make changes such as wearing well-fitting shoes and thickly cushioned socks. Have a bandage on hand in case they start to form.