Blisters are little blemishes or boils caused by heat, excess moisture, or damage skin cells. They most commonly occur on the feet as a result of wearing shoes which pinch, but they can also occur in the mouth when you bit or cut the inside of your cheeks or lips. They can also develop when you eat or drink something that is too hot and damages your skin cells. Thankfully, there are many home remedies for blisters which can help them to heal faster.  

Home Remedies for Blisters

1. Gel Deodorant

The risk of developing a blister can often increase when your skin is exposed to moisture and friction. This can also make existing blisters worse. To prevent this, you can use deodorants to absorb excess moisture such as sweat from your feet and prevent blisters from forming.

Slide a gel deodorant around the sides and tops of your feet. Make sure they’re clean and dry before putting your shoes on. The deodorant not only absorbs excess sweat and moisture but also helps to lubricate your feet to prevent rubbing and friction which can also cause blisters.

 

2. Tent It

Bandages can help to reduce the amount of friction on your blister, but putting them on too tightly could prevent air from getting to it too. Try to create a tent-like bandage by securing the two ends close together so that the middle of the bandage is raised over your blister. This will help to keep it protected but will still allow air to get to it.  

 

3. Green Tea

Green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory which can help to speed up the healing process. Simply brew some tea bags in boiling water and mix in a teaspoon of baking soda for an extra antiseptic boost. Once the tea bag has cooled place it on your blister and let it sit for a while. Do this two or three times a day to see a real improvement in your blister.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is great for repairing damaged skin and other cells. It helps the skin to heal quickly and thus reduces the risk of scarring. Simply use a cream that’s rich in vitamin E or extract the oil from a vitamin E capsule and apply this to your blister.   

 

5. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel contains compounds which help to dry out your blisters, keep them clean and help them to heal. Apply a little witch hazel to your blisters using a cotton pad or ball.

 

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory qualities which help to reduce the redness, pain, and swelling of an existing blister. As one of nature’s most versatile home remedies, it’s hardly surprising that aloe vera makes it onto our list of home remedies for blisters.

Apply a little aloe gel to your blister and let it dry. You may feel a slight tingling or itching, but in this case, it just means the aloe is doing its job.  Once the gel has dried, rinse it off with some warm water. Do this twice a day to reduce the size and impact of your blister.

7. Let it Breathe

A number of doctors agree that airing a blister in a clean environment will help to speed up the healing process. Whilst in your own home, remove any bandages and allow your blister to breathe and dry out.

 

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Although it can sting, apple cider vinegar makes a great home remedy for blisters. Its antibacterial properties can help to reduce the risk of infection if your blister gets popped accidentally too.

 

9. Castor Oil

Apply a little castor oil to your blister before you go to bed at night. This can help to dry out the blister and help it to heal faster. You can mix the oil with some apple cider vinegar for an added boost if you like.

 

10. Keep it Clean

You should always try to avoid popping or tearing your blister. But if you do tear or pop it accidentally you should do what you can to keep it clean. Keep it covered with a gauze bandage but prevent it from sticking to the skin. This will help to keep the blister clean and reduce any risk of infection, thus speeding up the healing process.

11. Avoid Popping It

In an ideal world, you’ll be able to avoid popping a blister as this can leave it vulnerable to infection. But, if your blister is very big and looks like it might pop on its own anyway, you can safely drain the liquid. This can help to ease some of the swelling and pain. Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and carefully pierce the blister right at the edge. This will help the fluid to drain and reduce swelling whilst keeping the risk of infection to a minimum.

12. Diaper Rash Cream

Most diaper creams have antiseptic qualities which make them great at tackling blisters. They help to prevent infection and dry out the blister. It can be a little messy though!

 

13. Black Tea

Black tea also has antiseptic qualities which can soothe sore blisters. It’s not quite as effective as green tea but it can be used in the same way and will help to some degree.

 

14. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is often used to dry out a number of blemishes including pimples, sores, and blisters. Apply a little toothpaste to your blister to help dry it out and speed up the healing process. Avoid any kinds of toothpaste that contain cinnamon though as these could cause some irritation.

 

15. Egg

Although this isn’t scientifically proven, many people do recommend eggs as a home remedy for blisters. Supposedly using a little egg on your blister can help to speed up the healing process.

16. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties which enable it to reduce the risk of infections when you have a blister. It also helps to dry out the blister, reducing swelling and pain. The oil can irritate sensitive skin though so you’re best off mixing it with some coconut oil before using it.

17. Salt Water Soak

Warm salted water is a great way to encourage your blister to heal. You can either rinse your feet in it or gargle with it if your mouth has blistered. It’s a great home remedy for various types of blisters.

 

18. Petroleum Jelly

Think petroleum jelly is only useful for chapped lips? Think again. Apply a small amount to your blister and leave it to sit overnight. This can help dry out the blister and reduce pain and swelling, whilst also healing the skin.

Alternatively, you can soak your feet in the 15 minutes in warm water and a little petroleum jelly. The water will help to soothe your blister and the jelly will help keep the skin moisturized and promote faster healing.

 

19. Calendula Ointment

Made from marigold flowers, this ointment has soothing qualities which make it a great home remedy for blisters. Apply the ointment to your blister and cover with a bandage during the day. At night, remove the bandage to allow air to reach the blister.

 

20. Yogurt

Yogurt is a natural probiotic, which means consuming it is great for treating blisters in the mouth. Aim to have one cup of yogurt on a daily basis. This can help reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. Being a natural probiotic means it can help reduce the risk of infection too.

21. Clove Oil

Clove oil is used in countless home remedies. Add three or four drops to a cup of warm water and using this as a rinse for your mouth can really help to take down the swelling of mouth blisters. You can also rinse a blister that’s developed on your foot with this mixture which should help to heal it.

Use this rinse three or four times a day. The oil’s natural anesthetic qualities can help to numb the pain, whilst its antibacterial nature helps to reduce the risk of infection.

 

22. Baking Soda

Baking soda has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also alkaline by nature which helps to balance the pH in your mouth, enabling blisters to heal much faster. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of warm water and stir it in. You can then rinse your mouth with your homemade mouthwash to help speed up the healing process.

 

23. Ice

Apply ice packs or ice cubes wrapped in a towel directly to your blister can help to take down the swelling and reduce pain and inflammation. Aim to use this method two or three times a day to really see the benefits.

24. Basil

Chewing on basil leaves is another great way to treat blisters that develop in your mouth. This is thanks to basil’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities.

 

25. Coriander

Make a rinse using some coriander leaves or seeds and mixing them with a cup of water. Bring the liquid to the boil before straining it and letting it cool.  Swill the cooled liquid around your mouth or rinse your foot in it if that’s where your blister is. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities of the coriander can help to speed up your healing process and take down the swelling of your blister.

 

26. Garlic

Garlic is well known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can either increase the level of garlic in your diet or chew one a few cloves of garlic to help treat blisters in the mouth. You could also grind the cloves into a paste and apply this to your blister for around ten minutes before rinsing in warm water.   

 

27. Turmeric

Turmeric is a great home remedy for blisters as its anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce swelling and pain. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric into a glass and drink it to treat blisters in your mouth. You can also make a paste by mixing the turmeric with honey and apply this to foot blisters. Leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing with warm water and drying thoroughly. Turmeric is a component of many home remedies, you can find out more in our Health Benefits of Turmeric article.

28. Milk

Milk contains many of the same components that make yogurt a great home remedy for blisters. Drinking a glass of milk a day can, therefore, help to speed up the healing of your blisters and soothe any pain and inflammation they cause.

29. Sage

Sage is also great for blisters that develop in the mouth or on the tongue. This is largely down to its antibacterial properties which fight infection. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities which help to combat swelling and any pain the blister may be causing.

Simply boil a few sage leaves in some water, strain and leave to cool. Once it’s cool enough, gargle with the liquid. Do this three or four times a day and you should start to notice an improvement.

 

30. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is well known for its many health benefits. Simply apply a little coconut oil directly to your blister and leave it on for between five and ten minutes, three times a day. This will help dry out the blister and reduce any inflammation and swelling.

 

31. Honey

Applying a little honey to your blister for five minutes can really help to soothe sore blisters and reduce inflammation. Not only that, but its antibacterial qualities mean it’s great at reducing the risk of infection too. Use honey at least three times a day to see the benefits.

 

32. Ginger

Chewing on ginger root can really help to reduce the swelling of mouth blisters. Like many home remedies on this list, it’s also antibacterial which means it can help to fight off any nasty infections. This will help to speed up the healing process and take your blister down much faster.

Which of these home remedies will you try? Comment below!

References

https.://www.foot.com/2017/11/08/7-home-treatments-healing-blisters/

https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/home-remedies-for-blisters/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/foot-health-pictures/healing-home-cures-for-blisters.aspx

https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/blisters-6-home-remedies-to-cure-blisters-1892075

https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/home-remedies/blister-remedies/

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-to-treat-blisters-on-your-tongue/#gref

Blister picture by Ryan McFarland