What Causes Blood Blisters

Blood blisters look similar to the regular, fluid-filled, skin blisters, except for the color. The fluids trapped in such blisters are blood and bodily fluids, giving them a dark red or bluish skin appearance. These painful skin bumps are also known as cherry moles.

While any portion of the body is prone to injuries and development of blood blisters, they commonly occur in the hands and feet. Gentle cleaning of the affected area along with simple caring tips are effective to treat such types of skin blisters.

The root cause of blood blisters is damage caused to the blood vessels and tissues underneath the skin surface (subdermal tissues) without penetrative injury to the epidermis.

As a consequence, blood, lymph and other bodily tissues are accumulated in between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. The likeliness of forming blood-filled blisters is more high in moist and loose skin. Refer to the following points to understand what causes blood blisters on the skin.

• Strong pinching of the skin with increased pressure causes trauma to the blood vessels in the area.
• Chafing or intense rubbing of the skin is one of the prime reasons for blood blister formation.

• Digging, raking and other hand activities that involve constant friction may lead to manifestation of blood blisters on hands.
• Another reason for formation of blood blisters is burning or scalding effect without puncturing the skin.

• Blood blisters on the feet may be caused due to wearing of tight footwear, which pressurizes the sole and adjacent areas.
• It is also not unusual to exhibit blood-filled blisters as a result of skin infections, caused by virus and fungi.

• Constant irritation to localized skin areas (squeezing, crushing and rubbing) often results in blood blisters.
• Besides these, blood blister causes include prolonged exposure to chemicals and allergenic substances.

Blood blisters are painful, but the pain intensity differs based on the type of injury subjected to the localized skin area. Say for example, when they are accompanied with bruising, severe pain is experienced.

With an objective to fasten healing process, many people make a mistake of rupturing these blood-filled blisters and removing the dark fluid contained in it.

Doing so, leaves the skin open and sore, which again increases the risk of infections, thereby slowing down the healing process. So, don't pick, pop or irritate the blisters at any cost, rather leave them undisturbed.

Therapeutic intervention of blood blisters is not always necessary. In most cases, proper self-care tips are sufficient to ensure quick treatment of these blisters. Soaking the affected portion in Epsom salt water is a simple remedy to reduce abnormal swelling.

In addition, resting and keeping the blisters at an elevated position are suggested to avoid further leakage of blood. As with any kind of skin trauma, applying cold compresses over blood blisters gives instant pain relief and minimizes inflammation. Bandage the area, and do not forget to change the dressing on a regular basis.

If blisters break open accidentally, don't peel off the skin. Keep the affected region as it is, apply an antiseptic and cover it for minimizing infections. And to avoid breaking of blood blisters, cover it properly with bandages.

Treatment by a trusted doctor should be considered for repeated cases, or if the blisters are manifested as a sign of infection, burns and other severe health conditions.

The physician will analyze the medical history of the patient and examine the symptoms to rule out possible causes. Accordingly, treatment methods suited for the patient will be recommended.

So, this was an overview on what causes blood blisters, their associated symptoms and treatment. Remember that any case of trauma to the blood vessels just below the topmost skin layer may lead to blood blister formation. Hence, preventing blood blisters is all about keeping the skin firm and dry, and protecting the area from intense chafing and friction.

So, while engaging in activities that may cause rupturing of the blood vessels, use hand gloves, moleskin or soft clothes to provide cushioning effect to the specific skin areas.