The use of sewing needles disinfected with alcohol or fire is inappropriate to exploit the blisters. ” In a high number of cases it causes infections and delays in healing “, warns Ana Esther Levy, director of the Leven clinic in Madrid.
Inserting threaded sewing thread into the needle is also incorrect , as germs get into it that can cause a secondary inflammatory reaction due to a foreign body. This increases pain and the risk of infection.
When to blow up an ampoule
In general, whether or not to explode an ampoule to evacuate the internal liquid and accelerate the healing of the ampoule depends on the size and type of content.
Depending on the degree of bulge and the amount and type of fluid, it can affect more than one layer of the skin. The liquid can be transparent and crystalline liquid; pink, discreetly cloudy due to the presence of red blood cells, or with blood, in which case it is referred to as a hematoma.
After a few hours the content can thicken. If you have had contact with germs, it may give off an unpleasant odor. In this case, there would already be an infection that must be controlled as quickly as possible.
A well-protected and disinfected clear liquid ampoule will re-absorb or break on its own without posing a risk. On the other hand, those with blood or pus alter the metabolism of the area and can create deeper injuries and severe infections. In this case, Levy advises evacuating the content.
How to exploit them
Scrupulous disinfection of the area and the use of sterile material is essential. ” Depending on the size, a sterile hypodermic needle or a scalpel blade will be used to drill rather than puncture .”
Núria Bosch, member of the Dermopharmacy of the College of Pharmacists of Barcelona , points out that the dead skin should not be removed, since it acts as protection. An antiseptic and a regenerating cream would be applied next. ”
Exploiting them is especially serious in people with diabetes , circulatory problems or immunosuppressive treatments , such as those used in oncological , rheumatic and transplant diseases . Improper handling can lead to widespread infection or amputation loss of a limb.
Good hygiene and scrupulous drying are also important to cure a blister. Bosch adds daily hydration, “ since the horny layer of the feet is thicker than other parts of the body and tends to dry out easily. This dryness increases friction with footwear and favors the appearance of chafing ”.
It suggests cotton socks to facilitate perspiration, a correct support of the foot in the footwear and choose the appropriate size. This prevents the appearance of wrinkles that increase friction.
The right footwear
Levy details how to choose the right shoe. “You have to buy footwear late in the day or after intense activity so that it is at its maximum expansion .” The shape of the shoe must be adapted to the shape and width of the foot. Not too big, not too fair or narrow, with a toe that allows the fingers to move without rubbing or pressure.
A short or narrow shoe will generate pressure, while a loose shoe results in friction. ” If, despite following all these indications, there is a doubt between two sizes, we will choose the one that is the loosest (with exceptions such as footwear for mountaineering or hiking on steep terrain. In these cases, compression is preferable to friction).
Failure to follow the above advice runs the risk of blisters from pressure or friction. Its appearance may also be due to maceration and the increase in local temperature, among other factors.
