A blister is a that swells out in a bubble filled with fluid. They are most common on feet and hands. Even though they can appear anywhere on the body.
They are usually concentrated in an area you will likely feel before seeing them. The most common kind is a friction blister.
Most blisters just appear as bubbles of clear fluid. However, blood blisters are usually caused by some sort of pinching action. Appear as bubbles of dark red.
Blisters form in various ways, for example, in extreme temperatures. Violent pinching or squeezing for blood blisters. As well as intense friction.
Blisters form to protect the body. When you are gardening when wear gloves. Your hand palms are susceptible to friction. From your palms and the likely tools, you are using.
These bubbles can vary in size. As well as occur for different reasons. For example, a skin burn, infection with a fungus, or an insect bite.
This friction turns into heat. Which in turn causes discoloration of the skin. Hence separating of skins.
This signals the body to protect itself by creating a buffer. Between your palm and the tool or the gloves. This buffer is filled with liquid that diffuses from the cells.
To prevent a blister, you must prevent chafing. Chafing is a painful skin irritation that occurs when body parts rub together. Or rub against clothing.
The typical glove that prevents blisters is form-fitting. To the palm without bunching up. It also has to have enough ventilation to keep your hands dry.
Most manufacturers aim to make gloves with quality material. One that is as thin as possible. That feels as if you are not wearing anything.
Strangely, gloves with extra padding in the palm tend to bunch up. As well as create more friction.
If the blister on your hand is not too painful. Try to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister may provide a natural barrier to bacteria. Hence reducing the risk of infection.
Seek medical care if the blister looks infected.
To relieve blister-related pain, dry the drainage. While leaving the overlying skin intact. Ensure to use a sterilized sharp needle to puncture the needle.
However, if possible, try to avoid popping or draining. As this could lead to infection. But if it is large and very painful. You could drain to ease discomfort.
Wash the area with water without removing the roof of the blister. As this will protect the raw skin underneath. While it heals. Keep the area covered with a bandage or gauze.
An ointment such as petroleum jelly is applied to the blister. It will help with easing the pain.
Wearing a pair of gloves is crucial. Especially for those involved in manual duties. As well as using tools regularly.
Moreover, use baby powder or talcum powder in shoes and gloves. Helps reduce friction at pressure points.
In case you feel a blister starting to form. Consider immediately protecting the area with a bandage.
Avoid irritants that may cause a skin reaction if it is chemical exposure. While being cautious when it comes to burns.
Blisters on the feet occur due to friction. Walking or standing for several hours daily puts pressure on heels, soles, and toes. The longer you are on your feet, the greater the foot blisters.
In many instances, these foot blisters result in form poorly fitted shoes. Shoes that fit too tightly or too loosely can rub against the skin. Causing friction.
Excessive moisture or perspiration can also trigger blisters. Especially during the warm seasons when sweat clogs the pores in the feet. Even sunburn can cause blisters.
A foot blister caused by friction typically resolves within a few days. While Using home treatments.
If you leave a blister alone, it may eventually harden and disappear. Until this happens, the bubble might be uncomfortable. Depending on its size.
When this happens, loosely cover the blister with a bandage. Bring in the side of the bandage. So that the middle of the bandage is a little raised.
To protect blisters in pressure areas such as the bottom of your feet. Use padding. Cut it into a donut shape with a hole in the middle.
Place it around the blister. Then cover both of them with a bandage.
Preventing blisters on the feet involves addressing the underlying cause. For example, wearing properly fitted shoes helps. Ensure you can wiggle your toes comfortably. While your heels fit securely.
In case it rubs against a specific area of the shoe. Wearing an insole and high lifts may provide extra padding. Hence reducing friction. Prevent friction; you prevent blisters.
Avoid shoes made of non-breathable material. For example, plastic. They cause sweating since they don’t let your feet breathe. Not forgetting the inside seams that may cause rubbing.
Break in new shoes by only wearing them for 30 minutes. At a time for the first few days.
If you are prone to heel blisters, put heel lifters in your shoes. Wear them in both shoes even though it’s one sensitive heel.
Use antiperspirant on your feet. Preventing foot sweat reduces the friction that can cause blisters. Apply daily to clean and dry feet. Ensuring to cover the whole feet, including in between the toes.
When playing sports or working out. Wear nylon or cotton blend socks or moisture-wicking socks. Avoid 100 percent cotton. Nylon causes the least blisters on sweaty feet. While cotton causes the most.
If Wearing one pair of socks doesn’t work, try wearing two pairs. Make sure socks fit well. At the same time, avoid wearing socks once they start losing shape.
During physical activity, wear moisture-wicking, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid clothes that are made of cotton since they soak up sweat and moisture. Which can lead to friction and chafing.
If you are wearing sandals, apply an anti-blister foot lotion. The lubricant will protect your feet from friction. For added protection, securely put a piece of adhesive moleskin on blister-prone areas.
As well as apply petroleum jelly. It will help reduce friction when your skin rubs together. Or against clothing.
Stop your activity immediately if you experience pain, discomfort, and skin discoloration. Otherwise, you get a blister.
When you get a blister, be patient. Most blisters heal on their own in one to two weeks.
As the blister heals, look out for signs of an infection. If you notice any redness, purse, or increase in pain. See a certified dermatologist.
So what are some of the best gardening gloves that prevent blisters?
Leather gardening gloves. They are made of goatskin leather which protects you from cuts and rashes. Moreover, they are breathable and comfortable.
Hence minimizing sweating, chafing, and discomfort. Which are the key things that lead to blisters. Making them suitable for use for long periods.
They are constructed from cut-proof material. With an extra long double stitched layer. This makes your hands safe even when pruning roses or cacti.
Bamboo garden gloves. The palms of the gloves are dipped in nitrile to give them a gripping power. The bamboo material used makes them very light, soft, and flexible.
The gloves provide protection with zero skin irritation. They are naturally breathable and absorb lots of sweat. Allowing your hands to keep cool hence preventing blisters.
They also have a snug fit, thus no chafing. As well as being able to perform all tasks without taking them off.
Suede cowhide leather gloves. The soft leather gives these gloves flexible qualities. The gloves feature a gun-cut design which increases their durability. As well as extra protection.
This gun cut also provides strong gripping power. Thus reducing the chances of chafing that lead to blisters.
So what makes a good pair of gloves?
Fit: Choose a glove that fits snugly. Gloves that are too big for your hands. Could hinder performance.
Feel: Your glove should be stiff enough to give strength. Yet offer the flexibility to provide control and quick response.
Style: Choose a look and color that fits you.
Choosing the best gardening gloves for you will depend on the jobs you’re planning to do. Gardening gloves are typically categorized as either light, medium, or heavy duty.
Light duty gloves will keep your hands clean during low-intensity jobs. As well as enable dexterity when seed sowing.
Medium-duty gloves will suit your needs for potting on, pruning and working on borders.
While heavy-duty gloves will protect your hands during tougher jobs. Such as landscaping. or when you need additional protection from nettles or thorns
Additional padding or cushioning can also be helpful. Look for padding on knuckles, fingertips, wrists, and palms for increased protection. When taking on manual tasks.
Elasticated cuffs will provide a snug fit. While preventing soil and plant debris from falling in. They are also easy to get on and off.
Finally, if you intend to use gardening gloves all year round, their being water-resistance is helpful. This is often done using latex or leather, or synthetic. These materials can be specially treated to repel water.
Some tips to make your blister hurt less and heal faster.
Apply a wet washcloth to your blister to relieve pain and itching.
Apply diaper rash cream on the blister to dry it out quickly. These creams generally contain zinc oxide. Which helps to prevent infection while promoting skin healing.
Don’t pick or pull away the flap of skin covering the blister. Since it acts as a shield for external irritants and germs. All you have to do is gently pat the loose skin to smoothen it out.
Don’t use duct tape or bandages that stick too strongly to the skin. Because pulling them off can further irritate the wound.
Avoid skin irritants such as soaps and detergents. For they contain harsh chemicals that can aggregate your skin.
Keep your feet dry at all times. This way, you prevent foot infections that can cause blisters. Damp feet enclosed in shoes are the perfect breeding grounds for infection.
Powder and petroleum jelly help when applied. They reduce friction during movement.
With blisters, timely treatment will reduce the discomfort. As well as keep infections at bay while ensuring a speedy recovery.
In most cases, they are easy to treat. And don’t pose a serious threat. However, if the preliminary treatment doesn’t work. Consult a doctor.
Because sometimes, a blister can be an indication of a more serious underlying condition.
There are two types of blister dressings you can use. The island dressing. Which consist of an island of non-stick absorbent material. Surrounded by an adhesive material.
These provide cushioning to the blister. While keeping the germs out.
The other dressing is the hydrocolloid plasters. It is mainly used on deroofed blisters. As it heals, it weeps. So does the plaster. Which provides a perfect healing environment.
To conclude, ensure to leave the blister out in the air as much as possible. Remember your blister treatment priority is to prevent infection.