# Blood blister! What do I do? (TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967 "2008-02-09T22:40:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/1 "2008-02-09T22:40:40Z")
I was chopping some unwanted plant life out of the backyard, and now I find that the garden tool handle rubbed an enormous blood blister on my left palm, between where my ring and little fingers attach. It’s the size of my little fingernail, puffy, and approximately the color of Cold Duck. Do I prick it and let it drain? Or do I leave it alone? Assume that I’m otherwise in good health (e.g., I don’t have hemophilia). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/2 "2008-02-09T22:41:55Z")
Leave it alone. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/3 "2008-02-09T22:48:35Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Leave it alone. [/QUOTE] Dammit! That’s not the answer I wanted. But thank you; I shall do as you say. (Awesome; I heard from the doctor in _one minute_.) ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/4 "2008-02-09T22:55:27Z")
Ice pack USCDiver, MD ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/5 "2008-02-09T23:30:57Z")
[QUOTE=USCDiver] Ice pack [/QUOTE] That too. To expand on the answers, there’s no real benefit to popping a blister. Opening it up just increases the risk of infection, and it’s a rare blister which causes enough pain to merit opening up. So, ice in the critical first hour or so to minimize swelling and retard further growth, a protective bandage as needed to keep the area from being further traumatized, and time are the best treatments. Tylenol, ibuprofen, or similar as needed for pain. If it breaks, consider using an antibiotic ointment to minimize infections. The above constitutes generic advice on the topic of blisters, blood and otherwise, and is not to be construed as specific advice to a specific person. I didn’t see your blister, you ain’t my patient, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/6 "2008-02-09T23:43:57Z")
Once they dry out, though, and the skin above the blister begins to peel…there’s something horribly satisfying about revealing the dried blood beneath. The unique appeal of the blood blister vs. other ordinary blisters. I’m gross. Follow the doc’s advice, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-blister-what-do-i-do-tmi/436967/7 "2008-02-10T04:08:10Z")
IANAD, but I do sometimes ‘pop’ blisters (with a sterilized needle, alcohol, only from a side incision) and not just for the thrill of it. If I’ve got one on my foot, I’d rather just get it over with than have it burst inside my sock while I’m out, getting all linty and dirty before I can get home and clean it up.