[Herbalist] Aloh

[Tara]

I realize you're advised to let them pop on their own.  I admit that I
usually get impatient with that advice, particularly because I can
control how sterile the environment is when popping them myself.
However, the blister in question has already popped on it's own, and I
stand by the rest of my advice, which is basically what you're saying -
dry dressing, don't cover it after it's popped and dry.  But, infections
are a problem even for people with "normal" immune systems.  They may
not be as common, but they are far from unheard of.  I've a friend who
took all the normal blister precautions, and ended up leaving Pennsic
early two years ago because of a badly infected blister.  And she has no
immune problems.

-M

Mary Temple wrote:
>
> Actually, you're not supposed to pop blisters - the fluid is a protectant.
> Once you pop it, you increase the risk of infection. And fungi aren't really
> a problem for people w/ "normal" immune systems - it's those of us with
> chronic diseases that have to worry about them, and even then they're rare
> in something like that.
>
> The best thing to do with blisters is to stop whatever caused it (like
> changing shoes if it's a friction blister) and cover it with a sterile, dry
> dressing like gauze (or even a bandaid until you can get home and clean it).
> Once they've popped (ON THEIR OWN) or the fluid has reabsorbed, you don't
> even need to cover it.
>
> Mary/Katerine
> (a Type I diabetic of 21+ years who still has all of her fingers and toes,
> but plenty of foot calluses that started out as blisters)
>
> >Sounds like the purple, yucky stuff is normal for an irritated blister.
> >It could get like that from being covered too tightly, especially if
> >you've put something wet (i.e. aloe) on it first.  Aloe isn't
> >anti-fungal, anti-bacterial or anything like that.  By keeping it moist
> >and covered, you're creating a great breeding ground for nasties.  The
> >dry skin is normal - that skin will flake off soon enough.  You won't
> >revitalize it by moistening it.
> >
> >Now that your blister has broken, aloe can help heal it.  But aloe will
> >dry out if it's not covered, and keeping it moist and covered is bad as
> >you've seen.  So, go ahead and put some aloe on it regularly, but don't
> >expect it to stay wet.  If you really need to moisten it, I'd use a drop
> >of vitamin E oil.  I wouldn't cover it anymore, unless there is a
> >specific infection threat (like you're handling raw chicken.)  I usually
> >only cover a blister on my heel for a short time after I pop it, then
> >only when I have to wear shoes that will rub on the spot, taking the
> >bandage off later.  Otherwise, I wear sandals that leave it open.  Keep
> >it clean - easier to do on a hand than on a foot.  But, let it dry out
> >so nasties can't breed in there.
> >
> >-Magdalena
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