Foot Health

6 Natural Remedies for Healing a Blister

6 Natural Remedies for Healing a Blister
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Updated on January 21, 2025
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There’s nothing worse than slipping on a pair of new shoes or doing some gardening only to break out in blisters a few hours later. A blister — a layer of raised skin that fills up with fluid — usually appears after your skin rubs against something excessively, such as ill-fitting footwear.

While annoying, blisters are usually no big deal. “Most will go away on their own and don’t typically cause any complications,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Clifton, New Jersey. Here are a few ways to treat blisters at home.

Why Most Blisters Can Be Treated at Home

Most blisters will heal on their own within a week or two, but you should still avoid chafing the injured area and steer clear of popping (or “unroofing”) the blister because “this can increase the chance of infection,” says Dr. Garshick.

If you do have a blister, follow these steps:

  1. With clean hands, wash the area with soap and water and pat dry. 
  2. Cover the blister with a bandage.
  3. Avoid popping or draining the blister because this can lead to an infection. One exception: If the blister is so large and painful that you need to drain it, sterilize a small needle with rubbing alcohol and puncture the edge of the blister so the fluid can drain.
  4. If you drained the blister, wash the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the skin. Then cover it with a bandage for a few days, which will allow the skin to heal.

Petroleum jelly is particularly good to put on a healing blister, says Sonya Kenkare, MD, a dermatologist at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Hinsdale, because it “will create a nice, moist microenvironment for healing.”

Remember, too, that sometimes the best offense is a good defense — which means wearing properly fitting shoes (not too tight, not too loose) along with a pair of fitted socks or gloves to protect your skin. Since cotton soaks up sweat, which can lead to friction, you may want to opt for moisture-wicking clothing, especially during exercise.

Or, if you’re wearing a new pair of shoes or playing a sport where you’re gripping a bat, for example, try putting a bandage on the area of your skin that’s prone to friction. If redness appears on the skin or you experience pain, stop what you’re doing; this could help prevent a blister from forming.

Natural Remedies for Managing a Blister

While there are certainly soothing remedies in your pantry, the best thing you can apply to the blister — petroleum jelly — is probably sitting in your medicine cabinet. “In most cases, the best way to manage a blister is to apply a petrolatum-based ointment to provide a protective barrier,” says Garshick. “While some of these ingredients may help soothe the skin, they are not necessarily going to treat the blister itself.” Here’s what research shows about the healing properties of some natural remedies for blisters.

1. Aloe Vera

The gel-like substance found inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant is commonly used to soothe the skin, especially burns.

 And while some research has shown that aloe vera can improve wound healing and keep moisture in the skin, Dr. Kenkare points out that petroleum jelly will likely be more effective at building a barrier on the skin.

That said, “aloe vera is soothing,” she says, so if you want to try it, apply it to the skin before the petroleum jelly.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of tea tree plant, which is native to Australia. Some research shows that it may help treat nail fungus or acne, but there’s not enough evidence to say that tea tree oil is an effective choice for wound care.

 Moreover, Kenkare doesn’t recommend it for treating blisters: “It has a bit of a minty sensation that could actually cause discomfort on open wounds,” she says.

3. Chamomile

Chamomile — most famous for having possible calming effects — is commonly found in teas, but it can be used topically as well. There isn’t much research to show that chamomile has a significant effect on skin healing in humans, although in one frequently cited review chamomile was shown to help reduce the wound area among people who were having dermabrasion for tattoos.

4. Honey

Some research shows that honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties,

 but research on honey and blister healing is lacking. Kenkare doesn’t recommend people use it on wounds, pointing out that petroleum jelly will be more effective at healing.

5. Coconut Oil

Some research on animals has shown that coconut oil has been helpful for wound healing, but, says Kenkare, it’s unclear if it’s helpful for blister healing in people.

6. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has been used in skin repair for decades,

 but the research that has been conducted on its effects, including wound healing, has shown inconsistent results. In addition, much of the research has been conducted on animals and may not apply to humans.

“Vitamin E is something patients use a lot for stretch marks and moisturizing,” says Kenkare. “I don’t have a problem with it being used on a wound, but it’s not quite as thick as petroleum jelly or even coconut oil.”

When to See a Doctor About a Blister

In most cases a blister will heal on its own, but there are some signs that the blister has become infected, including:

  • White or yellowish pus
  • Redness or swelling around the blister
  • Heat or pain around the blister

If you’re experiencing signs of an infection, call your doctor.

The Takeaway

  • Most blisters will heal on their own within a week or two.
  • Avoid “unroofing” (popping) the blister if possible. Apply petroleum jelly to the area, and put a bandage over it.
  • If you’re experiencing signs of an infection, such as pus or redness, call your doctor.
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Susan Bard, MD

Medical Reviewer

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.

She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.

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Maria Masters

Maria Masters

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Maria Masters is a contributing editor and writer for Everyday Health and What to Expect, and she has held positions at Men's Health and Family Circle. Her work has appeared in Health, on Prevention.com, on MensJournal.com, and in HGTV Magazine, among numerous other print and digital publications.

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Resources
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