There are certain things that you should do upon discovering your very first diabetic foot blister, and there’s one thing you should NOT do – and that is panic.
And you should also never puncture these blisters, also known as bullosis diabeticorum or diabetic bullae.
The painless but itchy blisters can be several inches, can appear suddenly, usually in clusters and are anything but nice to look at, but they are nothing to get alarmed over.
They actually normally resolve on their own in two to five weeks.
If you’ve never had a blister as a result of your diabetes, you probably will never get one simply because they are quite rare, occurring in only 0.5 percent of diabetics, says the Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries (Jan-March 2009).
Though the blisters can appear on one’s arms, hands and fingers, they more commonly arise on the legs, feet and toes.
What to Do for a Diabetic Blister
“Cleanse the break in the skin with soap and water,” says Peter D. Highlander, DPM, Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Director, Wound Reconstruction Center, The Bellevue Hospital, Bellevue OH.
Dr. Highlander continues, “Cover with a bandage. Keep clean and dry. Make an appointment with your local podiatrist [foot doctor]. Avoid harsh substances like peroxide and alcohol. No soaking.”
Prevention of a diabetic blister means regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels to make sure that they are always normal.
Dr. Highlander provides advanced treatment and prevention options for lower extremity wounds with a special interest in deformity correction and soft tissue coverage for non-healing wounds.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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