Itchy Blistering Skin Rash: Blisters – Pictures, Causes, and Outlook

16.09.202309.07.2023 by alexxlab

What are the causes of itchy blistering skin rash? What do blisters look like? What is the outlook for different types of blisters? Find answers to these questions and more.

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Unraveling the Mystery of Itchy Blistering Skin Rashes

Blisters can be a frustrating and concerning skin condition, often accompanied by intense itching and discomfort. In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the various causes of itchy blistering skin rashes, explore the visual characteristics of different types of blisters, and provide insights into the outlook for each condition.

Herpes Simplex: The Culprit Behind Painful Blisters

The herpes virus, responsible for both oral and genital lesions, can trigger the formation of painful blisters that appear alone or in clusters. These blisters weep clear yellow fluid and eventually crust over. While HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the most common culprits, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes in some cases. Stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure can often trigger the appearance of these blisters.

Impetigo: A Bacterial Infection Causing Fluid-Filled Blisters

Impetigo is a common bacterial infection that primarily affects babies and children. It manifests as an irritating rash with fluid-filled blisters that pop easily, forming a honey-colored crust. The rash is typically located around the mouth, chin, and nose.

Burns: A Medical Emergency Requiring Urgent Care

When it comes to blisters, burns are considered a medical emergency. Depending on the depth and size of the burn, blisters may form if it is a second-degree burn. Prompt medical attention is crucial for proper treatment and management of this condition.

Contact Dermatitis: Skin Reactions to Allergens and Irritants

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that appears hours to days after exposure to an allergen or irritant. The affected skin becomes itchy, red, scaly, or raw, and blisters can form that weep, ooze, or become crusty.

Aphthous Stomatitis: Canker Sores and Their Causes

Aphthous stomatitis, also known as canker sores, can be triggered by infection, injury, stress, and other underlying conditions. These ulcers are round or oval, with a red, inflamed border and a yellow or white center.

Frostbite: A Severe Cold-Related Skin Condition

Frostbite, another medical emergency, is caused by extreme cold and can affect various body parts, including fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, or chin. Symptoms include numbness, discoloration of the skin, and in severe cases, blisters filled with fluid or blood.

Shingles: The Varicella-Zoster Virus in Action

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. It manifests as a very painful rash of fluid-filled blisters, typically appearing in a linear stripe pattern on one side of the body. Accompanying symptoms may include low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue.

Chickenpox: Clusters of Itchy, Red Fluid-Filled Blisters

In chickenpox, clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters in various stages of healing appear all over the body. The rash is accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over.

Dyshidrotic Eczema: Itchy Blisters on Hands and Feet

Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition that causes itchy blisters to form, often on the hands or feet. The cause is unknown, but it may be related to allergies. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly skin and deep cracks.

Pemphigoid and Pemphigus Vulgaris: Rare Autoimmune Skin Disorders

Pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris are rare autoimmune disorders that can cause a skin rash and blisters on various parts of the body. Pemphigoid often begins with a red rash, followed by the formation of thick and large blisters containing clear fluid or blood. Pemphigus vulgaris causes painful, itchy blisters that break and bleed easily, and can even affect the mucous membranes.

Erysipelas: A Bacterial Skin Infection

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin, usually caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium (GAS). Symptoms can include fever, chills, swelling on the skin, and blisters on the affected area.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis: An Itchy, Blistering Skin Rash

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering, burning skin rash that is associated with celiac disease. The symptoms include extremely itchy bumps filled with clear liquid that form and heal in waxing and waning cycles.

Managing Blisters: Treatment and Outlook

Most blisters require no specific treatment, as leaving them alone allows the skin layers to heal and prevent infection. However, in certain cases, such as when the cause is an infection, it’s important to seek medical attention. Doctors may prescribe medication to treat the underlying condition and provide relief for the blisters. Additionally, if the blisters are caused by friction, chemicals, or allergens, the best approach is to avoid the irritants.

Conclusion

Blisters can be a frustrating and sometimes concerning skin condition, but understanding the various causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you navigate this challenging skin problem. Remember, if you’re unsure about the cause or severity of your blisters, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.

Blisters: Pictures, Causes, and Outlook

Warning: Graphic images ahead.

1. Herpes simplex

The herpes virus causes painful blisters that occur alone or in clusters, weep clear yellow fluid, and then crust over. On the mouth, it is known as a cold sore. On the genitals, it is known as genital herpes and is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Most often, the viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause oral and genital lesions, respectively. Less commonly, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes.

The blisters may be triggered by stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure. The infected site often starts to itch or tingle before the actual appearance of blisters.

Learn more about cold sores and genital herpes.

2. Impetigo

Impetigo is a common bacterial infection in babies and children. It causes an irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily and form a honey-colored crust.

The rash is often located in the area around the mouth, chin, and nose.

3. Burns

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Burn severity is classified by depth and size: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. The blisters will usually form if it is a second-degree burn.

4. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis appears hours to days after an area of skin has been in contact with an allergen or irritant.

The skin becomes itchy, red, scaly, or raw. Blisters can form, which weep, ooze, or become crusty.

5. Aphthous stomatitis

Aphthous stomatitis is also known as a canker sore. it can be triggered by an infection, injury, stress, and other diseases.

The ulcers are round or oval with a red, inflamed border and yellow or white center.

6. Frostbite

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Frostbite is caused by extreme cold and can affect fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, or chin.

The symptoms include numbness and discoloration of the skin, along with blisters filled with fluid or blood in severe cases.

7. Shingles

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

It’s a very painful rash of fluid-filled blisters, typically appearing in a linear stripe pattern on one side of the body, often accompanied by low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue.

8. Chickenpox

In chickenpox, clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters in various stages of healing all over the body.

The rash is accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over.

9. Dyshidrotic eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition that causes itchy blisters to form, often on the hands or feet.

The cause is unknown, but it may be related to allergies. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly skin and deep cracks.

10. Pemphigoid

Pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disorder causing a skin rash and blisters on various parts of the body.

There are various types of pemphigoid that are based on where and when the blistering occurs.

A red rash is often the first sign of pemphigoid. Later thick and large blisters form, containing clear fluid or blood. If they burst, they typically hurt.

11. Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the body, including the face, genitals, and even the lungs.

It causes painful, itchy blisters that break and bleed easily and can cause pain when eating or swallowing.

12. Erysipelas

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin.

It’s usually caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium (GAS). Symptoms can include fever and chills, swelling on the skin, and blisters on the affected area.

13. Dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering, burning skin rash that’s associated with celiac disease.

The symptoms include extremely itchy bumps filled with clear liquid that form and heal in waxing and waning cycles.

Read more about dermatitis herpetiformis.

Most blisters require no treatment. If you leave them alone, they’ll disappear, and the top skin layers prevent infection. You can cover a skin lesion if it’s contagious, such as shingles, when there are active lesions.

Don’t puncture a blister unless it’s very painful, as the skin over the fluid protects you from infection. If the cause is friction, chemicals, or allergens, the best treatment is to avoid what’s causing your skin to blister.

Blisters caused by infections should be evaluated by a doctor. In addition to medication for the infection, they may be able to give you something to treat the symptoms.

Some conditions that can cause blisters, such as pemphigus vulgaris, don’t have a cure and can only be managed with medications. This may include steroid creams to relieve skin rashes or antibiotics to cure skin infections.

For the most common blisters — those caused by friction on the skin of your feet — you can make changes such as wearing well-fitting shoes and thickly cushioned socks. Have a bandage on hand in case they start to form.

Read this article in Spanish.

Blisters on Feet: Causes and Treatments

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Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M. D., FAAD — By Valencia Higuera — Updated on February 2, 2023

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Blisters – Treatment. (2015).
nhs.uk/Conditions/Blisters/Pages/Treatment.aspx
Causes of blisters. (n.d.).
ipfh.org/foot-conditions/foot-conditions-a-z/blisters/causes-of-blisters
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Blisters: First aid.
mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-blisters/basics/art-20056691

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Current Version

Feb 2, 2023

Written By

Valencia Higuera

Edited By

Stella Miranda

May 18, 2017

Medically Reviewed By

Sarah Taylor, M.D., FAAD

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Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M.D., FAAD — By Valencia Higuera — Updated on February 2, 2023

Blisters

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Eruptions in the form of bubbles

Vesicle (synonym – vesicle) is the primary element of skin rashes that appears on intact skin due to various reasons. It is a cavity bounded by a lid and bottom, and rises above the skin surface. It is located in the epidermis – the surface layer of the skin. The vesicle is filled with transparent, sometimes turbid (serous) or mixed with blood (serous-hemorrhagic) contents. Size – more often up to 0.5 cm in diameter. There are single and multi-chamber bubbles. Sometimes they open, the contents expire, erosions form at this place, which, after healing (epithelialization), leave no traces. Large, more than 0.5 cm in diameter, elements similar in structure are called bubbles (or bullae).

Causes of blisters:

prickly heat – a pathological condition of the skin, accompanied by the appearance of many blisters with transparent contents on closed areas of the body and in natural skin folds. The disease develops due to excessive overheating and sweating. Vesicles are scattered or grouped (more often in the folds of the skin – inguinal, intergluteal; in the armpits, under the mammary glands). Sometimes the contents of the bubbles become cloudy and suppurate, the elements are surrounded by a zone of redness; in severe cases, they can merge and form weeping foci.
herpes simplex – viral disease affects the area of the lips, nasolabial folds, another part of the face, can be located in the oral cavity. Vesicles have cloudy contents and are surrounded by a reddish corolla (a zone of hyperemia). Swelling and redness visits the patient even before they appear. Rashes bring pain and discomfort in the affected area, may be merged. After some time, they dry out, crusts form on the surface, sometimes small ulcers. The disease may be accompanied by a rise in temperature.
chicken pox (or shingles) – a disease of a viral nature (causative agent – herpes zoster virus). The rash is staged: first papules appear (raised reddish-pink skin densities), and then they are converted into vesicles, first with a transparent, and then cloudy content. These elements subsequently dry out with the formation of brown crusts. It is localized throughout the body, occurs on the scalp, mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes and genitals. Rashes have a wave-like character, which corresponds to a surge in temperature reaction. The rash passes without a trace if it is not injured by scratching, otherwise scars may remain.
felinosis or cat-scratch disease – parasitic disease, vector – domestic cats. At the site of a scratch inflicted by a pet or its bite, two weeks later (incubation period), a small papule (a seal that rises above the skin surface) is formed with a zone of redness, which then transforms into a vesicle or pustule (abscess), followed by the formation of a crust. A characteristic feature of the clinic is regional lymphadenitis (damage to the lymph nodes) two weeks after the rash; axillary and ulnar are more often involved in the process, less often – cervical and inguinal. The temperature reaction is expressed.
scabies – a contagious disease caused by the scabies mite. The way of transmission is contact. Clinic – more often in the skin between the fingers, on the wrist, genitals, the tick makes moves; at the affected sites, a rash appears in the form of papules with a reddish corolla, which can transform into vesicles and be accompanied by itching. Scratching the affected areas can lead to infection of the rash.
allergic reaction (contact and food allergy) – manifests itself in the form of contact dermatitis. Rashes may look like bubbles with transparent contents, redness and swelling around; accompanied by severe itching, while, as a rule, the general condition of the patient is not disturbed. When an allergen is identified, eliminated, or antihistamines are taken, the rash is neutralized.
autoimmune diseases (pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis) is a pathology in which the body’s immune system fights its own healthy cells, as well as body tissues. Rashes affect both the skin and mucous membranes. Bubbles and bullae (bubbles) form, which are very itchy and itchy. In severe cases, internal organs are involved in the process.
insect bites (bugs, fleas, wasps, bees, bumblebees, mosquitoes). The rash has the character of vesicles or papules with a bite mark in the center. They are located asymmetrically on the body, and are accompanied by severe itching.

Which specialists should you contact if you have blistering rashes:

dermatologist;
allergist.

Blisters on the skin – a symptom of a number of dermatological diseases

Small blisters called vesicles, as well as large blisters (bulls), are cavities with transparent contents formed in exfoliated skin. The diameter of these structures can be about 0.5 cm. The presence of bubbles on the skin often indicates existing diseases – dermatitis, eczema, chicken pox, shingles, mycoses.

Dermatitis

A simple form of dermatitis appears within a few hours after contact with an irritating factor (cosmetics, household chemicals, etc. ). In some people, the disease is limited to the presence of redness. If the inflammatory process continues its development, bubbles filled with a liquid substance form on the skin. After they burst, the skin becomes covered with an itchy crust. Allergic dermatitis develops a day after contact with the allergen (in addition to the factors already listed, some plants can provoke a negative reaction).

Eczema

Signs of eczema in many ways resemble the course of dermatitis. Unlike the latter, this pathology develops after prolonged contact with an irritant. After a certain period, such a substance causes a chronic form of allergy. The disease is characterized by the presence of:

blistering rash;
crusts;
boils;
ulcers.

With eczema, dense blisters form in the affected areas, bursting over time. The liquid coming out of them dries up and forms crusts. In addition to the described signs, the disease is characterized by itching, which causes the need to scratch the skin. The areas around the most combed places often dry up. Eczema occurs with periods of remissions and exacerbations, tends to become chronic (in this case, the skin becomes dense, acquire a bluish-red tint).

Chicken pox

The disease is one of the highly contagious viral pathologies. The appearance of new rashes occurs in waves. By day 3, papules, vesicles and crusts may be present on the skin at the same time. For the disease, damage to the scalp is typical, due to which it is easily differentiated from strophulus (children’s pruritus). In most cases, chickenpox affects preschool children, but it can also develop in adults.

Herpes zoster

The herpes virus leads to the development of shingles. Rashes tend to be grouped in the face, intercostal space, on the body. Before a rash occurs, severe pain is felt in the area of \u200b\u200bits future appearance. Sometimes there is a simultaneous damage to the organs of vision, the membranes of the brain.

Mycoses

Fungal skin diseases are associated with various fungi (Candida, Microsporum and others). As a result of their activation, numerous bubbles appear. Bursting, they make the skin defenseless against various infections. When affected by fungi, long-term non-healing wounds and cracks are formed, then swelling and erosion. Mycoses are characterized by a long course and a tendency to chronicity.

The presence of a blistering rash should not be ignored. It not only causes discomfort, but also gives the skin an unaesthetic appearance, can spread throughout the body, provoke suppuration. Late diagnosis of diseases that provoke a rash is fraught with complications and infection of other people. If there are rashes on the body, it is urgent to visit a dermatologist, find out the cause of their appearance and undergo a treatment course.

Our specialists will definitely welcome you! Don’t wait, make an appointment. The doctor will look at what these bubbles are on the skin and tell you if you should be worried about this.