BLISTERS IN CHILDREN
Blisters are a buildup of clear or almost clear fluid between layers of the skin. They may be caused by heat burns; chemical burns; rubbing (friction); infection by bacteria; viruses; hand, foot, and mouth disease; funguses; allergy to insect bites; or allergy to certain plants. Blisters range from the size of a pinhead to several centimeters across.
Signs and symptoms
Blisters are obvious from their typical appearance – a raised bubble of skin containing clear fluid. The cause of blisters is sometimes determined by their location. When blisters appear on the palms or heels, they are usually due to rubbing; most blisters of the feet are caused by ill-fitting shoes or by not wearing socks. Blisters on the soles and toes may be caused by a fungus. Blisters on the cuticles or backs of fingers almost always mean an infection.
Home care
Do not break open blisters caused by rubbing or by burns. Protect them with gauze and bandages. If a blister is accidentally opened, trim away the major portion of loose skin, cleanse with soap and water, and bandage. If the blister becomes infected (redness and increasing tenderness are signs of infection), it should be soaked in an Epsom salts solution. An infected blister should be checked by a doctor.
• Red streaks spreading from a blister indicate spreading infection. If red streaks appear, see your doctor.
• Soaking unbroken blisters in too weak a solution causes marked enlargement of the blisters (suggested Epsom salts solution is at least 110 grams salts to a liter of water).
Medical treatment
Your doctor will determine the cause of the blister and look for signs of possible infection. Infected blisters are opened and the fluid cultured to determine the type of infection. Soaks or oral antibiotics may be prescribed individually or in combination.
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