From the Guidelines
To treat a blood blister, it is recommended to leave it intact if possible, as this improves healing and reduces pain, according to the most recent and highest quality study available 1. When treating a blood blister, consider the following steps:
- Clean the area gently with mild soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply an antiseptic ointment like Neosporin or Polysporin to further reduce the risk of infection.
- Cover the blister with a loose bandage or adhesive bandage to prevent friction and further irritation, and change the bandage daily or when it becomes wet or dirty.
- If the blister is painful, take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) according to package directions.
- Avoid popping the blister, but if it breaks on its own, clean the area, apply antiseptic, and cover it.
- Elevate the affected area when possible to reduce swelling. The decision to leave the blister intact is supported by the European Dermatology Forum consensus, which recommends leaving small and medium blisters intact to reduce bacterial superinfection and pain, as well as to promote healing 1. It is essential to seek medical attention if the blister is large (over 2 cm), extremely painful, shows signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, red streaks), or doesn't improve within two weeks, as these could be indicative of more severe complications 1.