In some instances, a blister may not be filled with a clear liquid, but a dark-red or purple one. That’s called a blood blister. Just like what the name says, it’s a small bubble that forms on your skin that is filled with blood.
A blood blister usually appears on a bony prominence of your body where a regular blister tends to form. This is especially true where there is constant pressure or friction. However, a blood blister can also appear just about anywhere else, particularly if the said area is accidentally pinched, such as a fingertip caught in a closing door or drawer.
The color of a blood blister indicates that blood has leaked out of injured blood vessels, which then mixes with fluid that normally fills a regular blister. Initially, a blood blister may appear bright red. As the days pass by, the fluid inside becomes darker in color, which is a sign that the blood present has coagulated.
Unlike a regular blister, a blood blister tends to stay around much longer. Medical experts say that it may take a month or so before it completely goes away. Just make sure that you refrain from popping it. Otherwise, you are risking having it infected, which will only make the blister’s healing process run at a much longer time.
Here are some of the things that you may do at home if you have a blood blister:
Apply Ice
The moment that a blood blister shows up, immediately wrap some ice cubes in a small towel. Place it on the blood blister for 10 to 15 minutes to have the broken blood vessels constricted, putting a stop to the leakage of blood. If this home remedy cannot be done, you may also simply dunk the blood blister to cold water for a few seconds.
Reduce Pressure
One of the most important steps you need to take when a blood blister strikes is to keep it from unnecessary pressure as well as friction. You can fashion something similar to a corn cushion out of a thick adhesive bandage. Most of the time, a small blood blister can be protected from pressure and friction with a band-aid.
Aloe Vera Gel
The gel inside the aloe vera leaf contains healing and anti-inflammatory properties, and that’s why regularly massaging it on a blood blister can promote healing. Initially, a blood blister can be painful. Daubing a little aloe vera gel on it right away can actually help lessen the pain because of gooey substance’s amazing skin soothing properties.
Cucumber
Another easy way to attain relief from pain that a blood blister brings is by placing a slice of cucumber on it. Get a thin slice of cucumber and stash it in the freezer for a couple of minutes. Once already cold, neatly place it over the blood blister and you will surely benefit from its ability to alleviate pain.
Turmeric
Making a paste out of turmeric is one of the smartest steps that you may take upon getting a blood blister. All you have to do is combine a few drops of water and half a teaspoon of turmeric, and then apply the resulting paste on the problem spot. You may do this up to 3 times a day to speed up the blood blister’s healing process.
Black Tea
Last but not least, you may deal with a blood blister at home with the help of black tea. This well-loved beverage contains tannins that can encourage the healing of the injured blood vessel, and eventually the blood blister itself. Dunk a black tea bag in a little hot water. Once already lukewarm, simply place the tea bag over the blood blister.
