Most blisters will heal when left alone and are unlikely to become infected. If you decide to pop a blister, you increase your risk of infection. A few key signs can indicate an infected blister, including pain, swelling, and drainage.
This article will discuss the signs of an infected blister, the complications of infection, how to treat a blister, and when to call a doctor.
Signs of an Infected Blister
Your blister may be infected if you experience the following:
- Increased pain
- Redness, especially if red streak marks are radiating outward
- Draining pus
- Swelling
- Warm to the touch
- Fever
Cellulitis Causes and Treatment
Treating an Infected Blister
Properly caring for a blister can help prevent infection. But you should monitor it for signs that you need to contact a healthcare professional.
At-Home Treatment
If you get a blister, caring for it properly can help avoid infection:
- Gently clean the area of the blister.
- Cover it loosely with a bandage. Use padded bandages or create a donut-shaped dressing around the blister to prevent putting pressure on the blister.
- Avoid irritating the area further or getting it dirty.
- Replace the bandage daily or if it gets soiled. Ensure the blister is healing and doesn't have signs of infection.
If a blister pops on its own, gently cleanse the area and try not to remove the skin "roof" of the blister. Apply a dab of petroleum jelly. Cover with a bandage to protect it while it heals. A gel (hydrocolloid) bandage can help reduce the pain from the open wound.
Popping a blister can increase the risk of infection, so only drain it if it's really big and painful. Avoid popping any blister other than a friction blister.
Prescriptions
If your blister has a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider may decide that a prescription could be beneficial. They might prescribe an oral antibiotic like clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole, or linezolid.
Topical preparation may also be used. Antibiotics and antiseptics can be used to inhibit microorganisms. Antiseptics might be used first to avoid bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Complications of Infected Blisters
A blister can become infected if it bursts prematurely (or you pop it open) and bacteria are introduced into the wound. Depending on the bacteria causing the infection, symptoms may vary in severity.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin. Various types of bacteria cause the condition—most commonly, group AStreptococcus.
Signs of this type of infection include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Skin that’s warm to the touch
- Fever
You have an increased risk of contracting cellulitis if you have chronic edema (tissue swelling).
Doctors prescribe oral antibiotics to treat this infection. If the infection has been left untreated, intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be necessary.Cellulitis can lead to complications such as endocarditis (infection of the inner surface of the heart) or bacteremia (infection in the bloodstream) if left untreated.
Sepsis
Sepsis,or bacteremia, is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream. This can happen when an infected skin wound is left untreated. When bacteria reach the bloodstream, the infection begins to affect the entire body.
Antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent complications of sepsis, such as septic shock (a severe reaction to infection), which is a potentially fatal condition.
How Long Until An Infected Blister Heals?
The healing time for an infected blister varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the infection. A blister with a minor infection might heal in as little as three weeks.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Call your healthcare professional to arrange treatment if you notice any signs of infection. An infected blister may require prescription antibiotics and professional wound care.
You should also see a doctor if:
- Your blister keeps coming back.
- It is in a sensitive area, such as the eyes.
- It is one of many and has come on suddenly.
- The blister forms because of an allergic reaction.
- The blister occurs due to a burn injury.
Summary
Most friction blisters will go away on their own. However, sometimes, they can burst open before the wound is fully healed, leading to infection. In addition, not taking proper hygiene measures when popping a blister can also cause it to become infected.
Signs of infection include pain, swelling, redness, red streaks, heat, and pus drainage. You may also have a fever if your wound is infected. If you notice your blister is getting worse and seems infected, you should make an appointment with your healthcare professional.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Health.Blister care.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.
NHS.Blisters.
Valladales-Restrepo LF, Aristizábal-Carmona BS, Giraldo-Correa JA, et al. Antibiotic management of uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections in the real world. Microorganisms. 2023;11(6):1369. doi:10.3390/microorganisms11061369
Bandyopadhyay D. Topical antibacterials in dermatology. Indian J Dermatol. 2021;66(2):117-125. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_99_18
Sullivan T, Barra E de. Diagnosis and management of cellulitis. Clinical Medicine. 2018;18(2):160. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cellulitis.
Gyawali B, Ramakrishna K, Dhamoon AS.Sepsis: the evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management.SAGE Open Med. 2019;7:2050312119835043. doi:10.1177/2050312119835043
Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM. Treatment strategies for infected wounds. Molecules. 2018;23(9):2392. doi:10.3390/molecules23092392
By Steph Coelho
Steph Coelho is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working on content related to health, wellness, mental health, chronic illness, fitness, sexual wellness, and health-related tech.She's written extensively about chronic conditions, telehealth, aging, CBD, and mental health. Her work has appeared in Insider, Healthline, WebMD, Greatist, Medical News Today, and more.
See Our Editorial Process
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?