What Do Blood Blisters on Fingers Look Like? Pictures & When to Seek Care

Identifying Blood Blisters on Fingers and When to Seek Help

Blood blisters are small pockets of fluid that develop under the top layer of skin. They are often filled with blood and other bodily fluids, hence the name. Blood blisters can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands and fingers due to frequent use and contact with hard surfaces.

What Causes Blood Blisters on Fingers?

Friction is the main cause of blood blisters on the fingers. Any repetitive rubbing against an object can essentially wear away skin cells and cause fluid leakage. Common triggers include:

• Sports equipment like golf clubs, tennis rackets, or baseball bats
• Tools and utensils that require firm gripping
• Frequent clapping or finger snapping
• Manual labor tasks
• Playing musical instruments

While painless at first, over time this friction makes top layers of skin separate from lower layers, slowly filling with fluid and blood cells to cushion and protect underlying tissue.

Appearance of Blood Blisters on Fingers

A newly formed blood blister usually looks like a raised watery bump on the affected finger. The fluid inside can range from clear to yellow, red or dark brown depending on bleeding extent.

As the blister starts healing over 3-10 days, it may take on a hardened, callus-like purple, black or blue appearance. The bruise-like discoloration results from blood cells and proteins trapped under layers of skin.

Blood Blister Pictures

To get an idea of how blood blisters progress on fingers over time, see this series of blood blister photos:

Photo 1: Blood blister on finger day 1 of development – Raised clear bump with red dot of blood in center

Photo 2: Day 3 – Blister enlarges with more visible red blood cells inside

Photo 3: 1 Week – Blister flattens slightly taking on a purple/black bruise-like look as more blood collects

Photo 4: 2 Weeks – Blister continues to deflate and darkens as blood cells begin to dry out and clot

Are Blood Blisters on Fingers Painful?

In most cases, blood blisters are not significantly painful. There may be some sensitivity to pressure on the area. Often the only symptom is appearance of the bump itself.

However, if the blister fills rapidly with a lot of fluid due to a crush-type injury, there may be pronounced pain, throbbing or stinging during early formation when nerve endings get compressed.

When to Seek Medical Care

Infected blood blisters can develop into extremely painful abscesses or open wounds, so keep an eye out for worsening redness, swelling, oozing, red streaking or fever. See a doctor promptly if you notice signs of infection starting.

It’s also important to get persistent blisters on hand or feet checked if they seem related to an underlying condition. For example, clusters of difficult-to-heal blisters could signal:

• Pemphigus – Autoimmune blistering disease
• Diabetes
• Lupus
• Deficiencies in nutrients like zinc or folate
• Chickenpox
• Skin cancer

See your physician if you experience recurring blisters with no obvious friction cause or notice them popping up in various locations like your mouth, eyes or rectum which could indicate complex health issues.

Treating Blood Blisters on Fingers

In most mild cases of singular blood blisters caused by repetitive friction or impact, home treatment is appropriate for recovery. Some tips include:

Avoid Further Irritation

Prevent aggravating blisters by protecting hands from your known trigger activity whether golf, yardwork, etc. Wear padded gloves to reduce abrasion.

Keep Clean & Dry

Gently cleanse blistered fingers with mild soap and pat dry to discourage infection risk in open wounds. Change bandages at least daily.

Apply a Cold Compress

Icing a fresh blood blister constricts leaking capillaries to reduce further bleeding and swelling. Never apply ice directly – wrap in cloth.

Use Ointments & Bandages

Apply antibiotic cream containing ingredients like bacitracin, neomycin or polymyxin B. Non-stick gauze held by paper tape allows air circulation while catching drainage.

Consider OTC Medications

For significant pain, throbbing or inflammation, nonprescription drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may help alleviate discomfort.

Allow Healing Time

Try not to puncture or peel blisters open prematurely. Protect them as they progress through natural healing stages to avoid infection risk and minimize scarring.

When to Drain Blood Blisters

If a blood blister is extremely large, painful and tense with fluid, a doctor may recommend surgically opening and draining the wound using sterile technique to remove pressure faster.

Allow blisters to drain naturally whenever possible. Seek prompt medical care if signs of complications like infection, numbness or lingering pain develop.

While blood blisters on the fingers look alarming, they generally resolve without issue in healthy people. Implement some hand protection adjustments to avoid repeat irritation going forward.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.