Skin Health 9 Causes of Blisters on Feet By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro Facebook LinkedIn Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 24, 2022 Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD LinkedIn Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Excess Moisture Sunburns Allergic Contact Dermatitis Psoriasis Dyshidrotic Eczema Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis Insect Bites Stasis Dermatitis Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Frequently Asked Questions Most people will have experienced a foot blister—a small pocket of fluid beneath the skin of the foot—at some point in their life. Friction, or forceful rubbing, is the most common cause of blisters on the feet. This can be due to poor-fitting or loosely tied shoes rubbing against your skin. Damp feet—from sweat or other moisture—are also more likely to blister. You can typically feel a friction blister forming. Sometimes, blisters form on the feet for less obvious reasons. Unexplained blisters on the feet can be caused by athlete’s foot, contact dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. Other reasons for unexplained blisters on the feet include poor circulation, insect bites, and a rare genetic condition known as epidermolysis bullosa simplex. This article discusses the different causes of foot blisters. It also explains the accompanying systems of foot blisters, how to treat foot blisters, and when to see a healthcare provider. Gajus / Getty Images Excessive Foot Moisture Excessive moisture can clog the pores on your feet which, in turn, can lead to the formation of blisters between the toes and anywhere moisture builds up. Blisters of these sorts are common in runners due to the accumulation of sweat in their shoes and socks. How to Treat Excess Foot Moisture There are several things you can do to prevent the build-up of foot moisture: Wear moisture-wicking socks. Wear breathable shoes like sandals. Change your socks or shoes when your feet become moist or sweaty. Avoid shoes that trap moisture, such as leather boots, if you intend to wear them for a long time. Use foot antiperspirant to reduce sweating. When blisters form due to excess moisture, they can become more susceptible to infection. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent this. Best Socks for Smelly Feet Sunburns A sunburn is caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It can occur on almost any part of the body, including the tops of your feet. Sunburn blisters can be extremely painful and may develop quickly based on your skin type, season, geographic location, and time of day you are in the sun. People often get these blisters when they fall asleep in the sun. How to Treat Sunburn Blisters Sunburn blisters usually heal on their own, but you can help speed your recovery in several ways: Do not pop blisters as this can lead to infection. Use a cold compress or take a cool shower to ease the pain. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen). Apply aloe gel to cool the feet and relieve pain. Avoid further sun exposure by wearing socks when outdoors. Drink plenty of water since blisters can cause your body to lose moisture and lead to dehydration. First Aid Care for Sunburns Allergic Contact Dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of rash that occurs when you come into contact with an allergy-causing substance, known as an allergen. The rash can develop within minutes to hours of exposure and last up to four weeks in some cases. Tiny blisters are common. You can get allergic contact dermatitis by walking barefoot through poison ivy. If you have a latex allergy, shoes made with latex rubber can trigger a reaction. Similarly, socks made with copper-infused fibers can also cause a rash with blisters if you have a metal allergy. How to Treat Allergic Contact Dermatitis The best way to prevent allergic contact dermatitis is to avoid known allergens. If contact does occur, you can usually treat the rash with topical corticosteroids (steroids) to reduce inflammation and itching. Severe cases may need oral steroids like prednisone. Psoriasis Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes itchy and scaly red patches on the skin. Although the patches are most common on the knees, elbows, torso, and scalp, they can also develop on the hands and feet. Psoriasis occurs because the immune system is overactive and speeds up skin cell growth. This causes cells to accumulate faster than they can be shed, causing thick, flaky areas of skin called plaques. Tiny blisters can form as fluids beneath the skin start to pool. A rare form of psoriasis, known as pustular psoriasis, can cause white or yellow blisters filled with pus. When it affects the feet, it is called palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. How to Treat Foot Psoriasis Foot psoriasis may be treated with the following medications and therapies: Occlusive steroid therapy involves covering the foot with plastic after applying steroid cream. Oral retinoids are drugs taken by mouth that slow skin cell growth Topical calcineurin inhibitors are drugs that suppress the immune response. Phototherapy uses a special band of UV light to slow skin cell growth. Psoriasis Doctor Discussion Guide Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Dyshidrotic Eczema Although dyshidrotic eczema typically affects the hands, it can also cause blisters on the soles of the feet. The outbreak of blisters, which resembles tapioca pudding, can flare up suddenly and resolve just as quickly. Young adults are most commonly affected. Dyshidrotic eczema is often triggered by contact with concrete, nickel, or cobalt as well as personal care products like shampoo or soap. Stress, sweat, and heat are other potential triggers. The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown but does not involve an allergic reaction. How to Treat Dyshidrotic Eczema The treatment of dyshidrotic eczema is focused on caring for the blisters. This may involve medicated soaks and cool compresses to dry out the blisters and ease discomfort. Moisturizers and lotions can reduce skin dryness as well as the risk of flare-ups. Mild cases may be treated with topical corticosteroids. If your condition is severe, oral steroids or a steroid shot may be preferred. Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis Vesiculobullous tinea pedis is a type of athlete’s foot that affects the inner surfaces of your feet. It is caused by an overgrowth of fungus that thrives in damp, warm environments like sweaty socks. It is called vesiculobullous because it involves vesicles (tiny fluid-filled sacs) and bullae (large blisters). People who wear closed-toe shoes in hot, humid environments are more susceptible to this type of athlete’s foot. Other risk factors include obesity, a weakened immune system, and residing in a long-term care facility. How to Treat Vesiculobullous Tinea Pedis Vesiculobullous tinea pedis, like any other form of athlete’s foot, is treated with topical antifungal medications. They are applied to the skin once or twice daily to help clear the fungus. The treatment lasts between two and four weeks, but recurrence is common. Insect Bites Insect bites are incredibly common and, depending on the type, can cause rash, itching, pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. Spider bites especially are known to cause a tiny but sometimes painful blister at the site of the injury. Fire ants and ticks can do the same. How to Treat Insect Bites Insect bites usually clear on their own, but there are things you can do to help ease the discomfort: Use an over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream to treat itch and swelling. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Advil (ibuprofen). Take an OTC antihistamine like Claritin (loratadine) to relieve swelling and itch. Apply an ice pack to the bite to reduce itching and swelling. How to Treat Insect Bites and Spider Stings Stasis Dermatitis Stasis dermatitis occurs when there is poor blood circulation in the lower legs. The condition develops when valves in a vein are too weak to push blood toward the heart. Symptoms of stasis dermatitis can include: Swelling of the ankles Red rash or bumps that can blister and ooze Itching Dry, scaly skin Varicose veins Darkening of the skin A heavy feeling in the legs after sitting or standing The oozing blisters can sometimes turn into ulcers if left untreated and leave behind unsightly scars. How to Treat Stasis Dermatitis The treatment of stasis dermatitis almost always involves compression socks to improve circulation and prevent the pooling of blood in your legs. Your healthcare provider may also advise you to do the following: Elevate the legs every two hours to reduce swelling. Avoid foods that are high in salt. Use topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Use a topical antibiotic to treat minor infections. Laser therapy can be used to unblock obstructions in veins that impede blood flow. Another treatment called foam sclerotherapy injects a foam substance into damaged veins to redirect blood flow to healthier veins. Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a genetic disorder in which any minor injury or friction can cause the skin to blister. Mild cases affect the hands and feet, but severe cases can cause blisters to form all over the body, increasing the risk of infection and dehydration. Over time, the condition can also cause the skin on the hands and feet to become hard and thick. How to Treat Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex The treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex is mainly focused on protecting the skin from any friction or injury. Your healthcare provider may also advise the following: Use wound dressings to protect the skin while it heals. Wear soft footwear that doesn’t irritate the foot or cause friction. Use foot antiperspirant to reduce the risk of blistering. Apply topical keratolytics to the soles of the feet to keep them from hardening. Use topical antibiotics to treat minor infections. Summary Various conditions can cause blisters to form on your feet. These include excess moisture and sunburn to common skin conditions like athlete's foot, allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Less common causes include stasis dermatitis caused by poor blood circulation and a rare genetic disorder called epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Even some insect bites cause blisters. Although the treatment of foot blisters varies by the underlying cause, proper foot care and hygiene are essential irrespective of the cause. A Word From Verywell Most foot blisters require little or no treatment other than keeping them clean and covering them with a bandage while they heal. However, if one or more blisters appear for no reason or either persist or worsen despite treatment, speak with your healthcare provider. They could be a sign of an undiagnosed condition in need of specific treatment. Frequently Asked Questions Is it OK to pop a blister on your foot? Friction blisters should be allowed to heal on their own. If you pop one, bacteria can enter through the broken skin and establish an infection. If one pops on its own, cover it with an adhesive bandage and keep it dry. Unless there is an infection, you generally don't need a topical antibiotic. How can you tell if a blister is infected? A blister will only get infected when it pops. You can tell it's infected when the broken tissues are red, swollen, and painful. Severe infections can lead to worsening pain, fever, a pus-like discharge, and a general feeling of unwellness. How do you break in shoes so you don't get blisters? To prevent friction blisters, wear thick socks and/or use cushioned insoles to protect your feet as you gradually break in new shoes. Wear the shoes for only short periods of time until they are amply softened. Tie the shoelaces tightly so your feet don't move around. And, most importantly, buy the right size shoe for your feet! Learn More: How to Properly Size Your Shoes What heals blisters on the feet quickly? The best way to help foot blisters quickly is to keep off your feet as much as possible. Cushion the blisters with blister pads, or wear sandals or slippers that don't rub against the blister. Popping blisters won't help them heal any faster. 16 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Sunburn. Kids Health. I got blisters from a sunburn: What should I do? Kostner L, Anzengruber F, Guillod C, Recher M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Navarini AA. Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017 Feb;37(1):141-152. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.08.014 Fonacier LS, Aquino MR, Mucci T. Current strategies in treating severe contact dermatitis in pediatric patients. 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Eczema type: dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al. Topical treatments for athlete's foot. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(1):CD010863. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2 American Academy of Dermatology Association. Tips to prevent and treat bug bites. National Eczema Association. Stasis dermatitis. Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S. Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Jun;18(3):383-390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0 MedlinePlus. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex. By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. 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