Blisters: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you think you have a skin infection?

See significance of a skin infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

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?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

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?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

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 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.

Last updated:	May 08, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer