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Blisters Topics

Blisters - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

A burn or a sunburn: Go to the topic Burns or Sunburn.
Blisters that began after you were exposed to cold temperatures: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
A known or suspected insect bite or sting, spider bite, or tick bite: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites or Tick Bites.
Blisters in or around your mouth: Go to the topic Mouth Problems, Noninjury or Toothache and Gum Problems.
Blisters on or around your genitals and you are sexually active: Go to the topic Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.


	Yes

Do you have one or more unexplained blisters and other signs of illness?


	Yes

Do you think you have a skin infection?


	Yes

Do you have one or more painful blisters?


	Yes

Do you think that your blisters are caused by a medicine?


	Yes

Do you have itchy blisters?


	Yes

Do you have a broken blister that is dirty and you need a tetanus shot?


	Yes

Do you have shaking chills?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Do you have a moderate to severe headache?


	Yes

Do you have belly pain?


	Yes

Do you have vomiting?


	Yes

Do you have diarrhea?


	Yes

Do you feel ill?


	Yes

Do you have aching muscles or joints?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?


	Yes

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?


	Yes

Do you have red streaks extending away from the blister?


	Yes

Do you have increased swelling, redness, or warmth around a blister?


	Yes

Do you have pus draining from a blister?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Do you have a crusty blister that is draining honey-colored fluid?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around the blister for 24 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) near a blister for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severely painful blisters in a band on one side of your body or face?


	Yes

Do you have moderately painful blisters in a band on one side of your body or face?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain from one or more blisters for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think your blisters are caused by a medicine?Note: If your answer is Yes :Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine the same day to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking a medicine that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop taking the medicine.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe itching that keeps you from doing usual activities or sleep after 12 hours of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have new patches of itchy, oozing blisters?


	Yes

Do you have moderate itching that has interfered with your usual activities or sleep after 48 hours of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have recurrent patches of itchy blisters?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you worried that the blister area is dirty or has germs on it and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.


	Yes

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?


	Yes

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 06, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.