What should you know about second skin blister pads?

A blister pad creates a cushioning barrier between the skin and a shoe, tool or other source of friction. Many are designed to stay in place while the surrounding skin remains clean and dry. They are most useful for a small friction blister when the pad does not press on broken skin or cause a new reaction.

Blisters can have other causes. Contact Dermatitis may follow exposure to an irritant or allergen; Dyshidrotic Eczema often produces small itchy blisters on hands or feet; Sunburn can blister after intense exposure. Grouped painful blisters may occur with Shingles, while Chickenpox can cause widespread itchy lesions.

Wash your hands and gently clean and dry the surrounding skin. Place the pad so its cushioned centre surrounds the blister without squeezing it. Avoid deliberately popping the blister; the roof helps shield the raw skin beneath. Change the pad according to its instructions or sooner if it becomes wet, dirty or loose, and reduce the friction that caused the injury.

If the blister has opened, keep it clean, avoid peeling attached skin and use a dressing that does not stick to the wound. Stop using the product if itching, a rash or increasing burning develops, as the adhesive may be irritating.

Arrange medical review for spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever, worsening tenderness or red streaks. Seek prompt advice for many blisters, blisters on the eyes or mouth, extensive blistering, or painful grouped lesions. A clinician should assess recurrent or unexplained blisters rather than repeatedly covering them.

Ask whether the blister appears friction-related, whether the roof should remain intact, which dressing suits the wound, and whether symptoms fit Contact Dermatitis, Dyshidrotic Eczema or another condition.