Whether the blister is caused by a burn from your campfire or from friction and pressure from your apparel or equipment; blisters do require prompt treatment.

If the blister isn't too large and painful, do everything possible to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister provides a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection.

Cover a small blister with an adhesive bandage, and cover a large one with a porous, plastic-coated gauze pad that absorbs moisture and allows the wound to breathe.

Don't puncture the blister unless it's painful or prevents you from walking or using your hands.

If you need to puncture the blister, you need to drain the fluid while leaving the overlying skin intact. Here's how:

1) Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.
2) Swab the blister with iodine or rubbing alcohol.
3) Sterilize a clean, sharp needle or the tip of a knife by wiping it with rubbing alcohol or running it through a flame.
4) Use the needle or knife tip to puncture the blister. Aim for several spots near the blister's edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place.
5) Apply an antibiotic ointment to the blister and cover with a bandage or gauze pad.
6) Check the blister daily and replace the bandage or pad using additional antibiotic ointment as needed.
7) After several days, use tweezers and scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol to cut away all the dead skin. Apply more ointment and a bandage.

If the blister has already ruptured on it's own, skip steps 3 and 4 from above.

Call your doctor if you see signs of infection around a blister - pus, redness, increasing pain or warm skin.

Learn more about this author, Ginger Kazay.
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