Popping Blood Blisters

[RhinoinMN]

In my line of work I frequently get blood blisters. Some people tell me pop them immediately to relieve pressure and avoid infection. Others tell me to leave it be and DO NOT POP to avoid infection.

I believe the latter would be the correct option, but my OCD wants me to pop them and watch the old blood ooze out.


What do you think?

[Dr Steve]

In my line of work I frequently get blood blisters. Some people tell me pop them immediately to relieve pressure and avoid infection. Others tell me to leave it be and DO NOT POP to avoid infection.

I believe the latter would be the correct option, but my OCD wants me to pop them and watch the old blood ooze out.


What do you think?

It's true that they'll get infected less often if you don't pop them, but if you take care of them properly, they won't get infected very often if you do.

If you do decide to pop one, make sure you clean the area before and after, apply antibiotic ointment (or "ernt-ment" if you're from TN), and cover the resulting wound with a bandaid. And don't ever pop one with a nasty implement; make sure you at least have your Tetanus shots up to date (which you should do anyway, not because you're OCD and have to pop your blood blisters)!

Large blisters will usually hurt more after they pop; just another reason to leave them alone.