Blistering
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Try one of these related symptoms.
There are blisters
Lip blister
Painful blisters
Clear liquid in a blister
Shingles-like rash on the skin
Blisters on my legs
Blisters after redness
Easily broken blisters
Causing a blister
Blisters on my mouth
Bumps on skin hurts
Shingles-like rash
About the Symptom
Blisters are raised bubbles when fluid collects in between layers of skin. They can be small or large. There can be many causes of skin blisters, from simple trauma to infection and immune mediated mechanisms. Treat blisters gently, do not peel the skin overlying the blister.
Possible Causes
Generally, Blistering can be related to:
- Bullous Disease of Diabetes
A condition in which blisters appear on the arms, hands and legs, typically seen in long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes.
- Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
An autoimmune skin disease (caused by the body's immune system attacking its own cells).
- Dyshidrotic Eczema
This refers to a skin inflammation where small blisters develop on the fingers, palms, and soles.
- Pemphigus
- Eosinophilic Cellulitis
- Congenital bullous disease
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Pemphigoid Group
- Bullous Pemphigoid
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Blistering may be related to these serious diseases:
- Second Degree Burn
Second degree burns affect both the epidermis (first layer of the skin) and the dermis (second layer of skin). They may cause severe pain, swelling, blisters, and scarring. In modern medicine, these burns are now referred to as "partial thickness" burns.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have any blisters on your skin?
- When did you first notice the blisters on your skin?
- How often do you experience blisters on your skin?
- How are your blisters on the skin now?
- Are there blisters on your hands and feet?
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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See full list
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FAQs
Q.
Is Your Blister Infected? Why Your Skin Bubbles & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Blisters are protective fluid pockets from friction, burns, dermatitis, infections, or autoimmune conditions; infection is more likely if the blister pops and shows spreading redness or warmth, cloudy pus, worsening pain or swelling, fever, or red streaks. Do not pop it, keep it clean and covered, and seek medical care if infection is suspected, urgently for fever, red streaks, severe pain, widespread or mouth or eye blisters, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation. There are several factors to consider and important next-step details on care, prevention, and healing timelines below.
References:
* Blister Management: A Comprehensive Review. J Wound Care. 2021 May 1;30(5):372-380. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2021.30.5.372.
* Diagnosis and management of wound infection. BMJ. 2023 Apr 12;381:e072046. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072046.
* Practical approach to blister management. Br J Nurs. 2018 Jun 28;27(12):702-707. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2018.27.12.702.
* Wound healing: a comprehensive review. J Dermatol Treat. 2017 Dec;28(8):744-754. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1299971.
* Recognising signs of wound infection: a practical guide. Br J Nurs. 2019 Mar 14;28(5):S4-S10. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2019.28.5.S4.
Q.
Itchy, chronic blisters? Why Dermatitis Herpetiformis occurs + Medically approved next steps
A.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic, intensely itchy blistering rash caused by an autoimmune reaction to gluten, closely linked to celiac disease even when gut symptoms are absent. Medically approved next steps include keeping gluten in your diet until testing, confirming the diagnosis with a skin biopsy using direct immunofluorescence, and treating with dapsone for rapid relief plus a strict lifelong gluten-free diet with medical follow up for nutrient deficiencies and long-term risks. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.
References:
* Jarmuda S, Szczęch J, Maj J, Olszewska M, Królikowska A, Łuczaj-Chmielowiec K, Chwiłkowska A, Gerkowicz A, Sidor-Wołczyk M, Majk M, Janicka Z, Maj J. Dermatitis herpetiformis: A clinical review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Aug 25;10:1248008. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1248008. PMID: 37628388; PMCID: PMC10486016.
* Antiga E, Caproni M. Dermatitis herpetiformis: update on diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 May 5;14:405-414. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S270711. PMID: 33947477; PMCID: PMC8108169.
* Reunala T, Hervonen K. Dermatitis herpetiformis: an update for clinicians. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2021 Oct;46(7):1174-1180. doi: 10.1111/ced.14792. Epub 2021 Jul 21. PMID: 34289873.
* Caproni M, Antiga E, Melani L, Fabbri P. Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Dermatol Clin. 2020 Jul;38(3):369-378. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2020.02.008. Epub 2020 May 16. PMID: 32414002.
* Antiga E, Caproni M. Pathogenesis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis: An Update. Front Immunol. 2019 Jan 23;10:103. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00103. PMID: 30678125; PMCID: PMC6351368.
Q.
Is it Smallpox? Why Your Skin is Blistering and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide since 1980, so new blistering rashes are almost always due to other causes such as chickenpox, shingles, contact dermatitis, infections, burns, autoimmune disease, friction, or medication reactions. There are several factors to consider; see below for how to tell common causes apart and for medically approved next steps. Seek urgent care if you have high fever with rash, rapidly spreading or very painful blisters, eye or mouth involvement, or signs of infection; otherwise protect the skin and speak with a clinician if unsure, and review the important details below that could change which steps you take.
References:
* Petersen BW, Damon IK. Smallpox: Clinical recognition and contemporary differential diagnoses. J Infect Dis. 2019 Jun 14;220(Suppl 1):S9-S17. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz063. PMID: 30677561.
* Lopareva EN, Smetannikova MV, Ryabova LA, Bludova NA, Chekanov AV, Mazur O, Vlasov VP, Goryaev AB, Shishkova AA, Popygaeva EV, Malysheva LA, Shchelkunov SN, Al'khovsky SV. Smallpox re-emergence? A global threat. Future Virol. 2017 Jan;12(1):15-22. doi: 10.2217/fvl-2016-0125. PMID: 28224594.
* Srinivas PN, Sridhar R. Smallpox: A Concise Review. Cureus. 2019 Jul 16;11(7):e5159. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5159. PMID: 31333333; PMCID: PMC6636756.
* Koonin LM, Santibanez S, Mauldin S, Johnson JA, Graham M. Preparing for the Threat of Smallpox and Other Poxviruses. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Sep;28(9):1753-1760. doi: 10.3201/eid2809.220970. PMID: 35923838; PMCID: PMC9410148.
* Routh K, Palanisamy S, Kumar Singh G, Kar R, Singh V, Agnihotri A, Kumar V, Upadhyay C. Therapeutics for Orthopoxvirus Infections: Current Status and Future Prospects. Molecules. 2023 Feb 8;28(4):1632. doi: 10.3390/molecules28041632. PMID: 36768310; PMCID: PMC9960249.
Q.
Itchy 'Tapioca' Blisters? Why Your Skin Is Blistering & Medical Next Steps
A.
Small, intensely itchy tapioca-like blisters on the sides of the fingers, palms, soles, or toes are most often dyshidrotic eczema, which is not contagious and commonly flares with stress, irritants, allergies, sweat, and heat. There are several factors to consider, including look-alikes like contact dermatitis, fungal infection, herpetic whitlow, autoimmune blistering disease, or rare drug reactions; see the complete guidance and red flags below. Initial care includes prescription topical steroids, cool compresses, moisturizers, and trigger avoidance, and you should seek medical care for first episodes, recurrent or rapidly spreading blisters, severe pain, fever, mouth or eye involvement, signs of infection, or blistering after a new medication.
References:
* Reichenberg JS, Allevato MA. Dyshidrotic Eczema: Diagnosis and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023 Mar;24(2):237-249. doi: 10.1007/s40257-023-00769-y. Epub 2023 Feb 18. PMID: 36799307.
* Oh SH, Noh S, Won YH, Lee HG. Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Comprehensive Review. Ann Dermatol. 2021 Apr;33(2):111-118. doi: 10.5021/ad.2021.33.2.111. Epub 2021 Mar 31. PMID: 33785935; PMCID: PMC8004746.
* Werner RN, Langan SM, Garcia-Doval I, Svensson Å, von Kobyletzki LB, Sachse MM, EADV Task Force for Atopic Dermatitis. Pompholyx - Clinical aspects and diagnosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Jun;34(6):1174-1180. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16335. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32202383.
* Werner RN, Langan SM, Garcia-Doval I, Svensson Å, von Kobyletzki LB, Sachse MM, EADV Task Force for Atopic Dermatitis. Pompholyx - Treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Jun;34(6):1181-1186. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16336. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32202385.
* Thyssen JP, Johansen JD, Linneberg A, Menné T. Hand eczema: an overview of characteristics and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2011 Feb;12(1):31-40. doi: 10.2165/11584890-000000000-00000. PMID: 21128795.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Buchman JS. Blistering diseases of the skin. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 1996 Jan;13(1):91-108. PMID: 8849935.