Water blisters on hands and feet usually arise due to excessive friction, although there may be other causes implicated. The article lists a few causes and the necessary treatment.
The hands and feet are those parts of our body that are most used and affected by the surroundings. We do not realize what all surfaces and different kinds of contamination our hands come in contact with. However, due to the thick epidermis, they manage to withstand all that they are subjected to. But in some cases, even they give up and so, there is formation of what is known as water blisters on hands and feet. There are many causes, which can lead to this condition. They are discussed in detail below.
Causes and Treatment
Friction
One of the most common cause is friction. When we use our palms continuously to pick up heavy weights, then their surface tends to get irritated, and when the outer layer of the skin gets damaged, fluid will collect under this layer so as to protect the injured tissue and aid in its healing. Thus, formation of water blisters is actually a protective and defense mechanism of the hand. These are commonly seen in laborers or people that do a lot of physical activity. Constantly shoveling, playing with a baseball, using a rake, etc., could lead to these boils due to constant subjection of friction. The best way to treat them is by wearing protective gear, like gloves, when touching and picking up different objects.
Burns
When any part of the body is subjected to a lot of heat, in the form of an electric shock or due to some other cause, the superficial part of the skin is the first to be affected. In cases of second and third degree burns, however, there is often blistering of skin due to collection of fluid. These are more commonly seen in cases where there are scalding burns, i.e., burns occurring due to steam. The skin burn treatment for second and third degree burns will need to be done at a hospital.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
This is a condition which is seen in only 20 out of every 100,000 Americans. In this condition, there are usually formation of itchy boils. There may be formation of clear vesicles. The boils are usually very small, and may itch; at times, they may not produce any symptoms at all. The symptoms, if present, usually worsen after using soap or any chemical based product. Scratching them will result in them breaking, which leads to the release of fluids from inside, making the skin become encrusted. This is a non-contagious condition, but can lead to unsightly temporary scars on the palms, fist, etc. The exact cause of this condition is not known, though many people say that it is triggered because of an allergic reaction. The dyshidrotic eczema treatment plan will be chalked out by a certified dermatologist, only after he has made a final diagnosis after studying the case.
Viral Infections
There is a very good possibility of these boils occurring due to a viral infection. Common infections, like Herpes simplex, herpes zoster, warts, molluscum contagiosum, etc., can cause boils to erupt on the fingers and palms. Sometimes, they may also occur sporadically due to an allergy to a certain substance. The doctor will give specific medication in order to treat these allergies.
Tips to Remember
One needs to be very careful when suffering from this problem. Do not try to burst the pustules; if they do burst, cover them with a bandage so as to prevent an infection from occurring. As they say, prevention is better than cure, so try to wear protective gears or clothing whenever possible. If you still repeatedly suffer from these boils, then, visit the doctor and try to get your condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest, to prevent the formation of scars.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
