How to Help Prevent and Treat Them

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On July 16, 2025

Blisters occur in response to inflamed or damaged skin, explains Peter Lio, MD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. They are essentially skin bubbles filled with fluid.

“This fluid, referred to as serous fluid, is ultimately a blood filtration product and is similar to when there is swelling in an area such as a swollen ankle after a sprain,” he says. “In the skin, the fluid can be very concentrated around blood vessels and can be superficial enough to cause tiny blisters rather than just swelling of an area.”

Once an eczema blister forms, it takes time for the body to reabsorb this fluid, which usually happens through the lymphatic system, Dr. Lio says. “Sometimes, however, they are very tense and superficial and simply rupture, releasing the fluid outside of the skin and then needing [time] to heal,” he says.

Eczema blisters are associated with multiple types of eczema, and they can show up differently depending on the cause.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

This form of eczema — also called pompholyx, palmoplantar eczema, and vesicular eczema — is seen on the hands and feet, and is more common in women.

Usually, small deep blisters, called vesicles, form on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sides of the fingers. The blisters are extremely itchy and cause scaly skin patches that peel as the bumps heal. As a result, dry skin and painful fissures can form.

Common triggers for dyshidrotic eczema include stress, seasonal allergies, or humid weather that makes the palms sweat, says Evan Rieder, MD, a dermatologist practicing in New York City. Metals, especially nickel, as well as jobs that require the hands to get wet frequently, such as hairstyling, can also trigger the rash and accompanying blisters.

First-line eczema treatments for dyshidrotic eczema include cool compresses and corticosteroid creams or ointments.

“Usually we do need to use a more powerful topical corticosteroid, because the skin on the hands and feet — where we usually find this type of eczema — is very thick and can impede penetration of the medications,” Lio says.

“We often use soaks such as Burow’s solution to help soothe and dry out the blisters, and then have the patients apply the topical corticosteroid twice daily to the area,” he adds.

You or your dermatologist can gently drain larger blisters with a sterile needle to relieve pain.

Be careful, however, to make only a small tear in the skin to allow the release of fluid, leaving the “roof” of the blister intact, for faster healing and lower chances of infection. Other medications, like antihistamines, may be prescribed to relieve itchiness, especially at night.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

If you’ve ever brushed up against poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac and broken out in a blistery, itchy rash, you’ve experienced allergic contact dermatitis.

Usually, people develop small lines of eczema blisters where leaves have rubbed against them, a day or two after the skin is exposed.

Other common culprits are metals (especially nickel) and fragrances, which can cause a reaction when inhaled or applied to the skin.

These blisters may break open and leak fluid, then form a crust.

Treatment for eczema due to allergens involves washing the skin with a gentle cleanser to remove any trace of the substance that is irritating you.

Also, try to avoid anything that you know causes a rash or eczema blisters to break out.

The best treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is simply avoiding the trigger.

But with itchy, painful reactions, doctors may recommend over-the-counter or prescription steroid creams or oral steroids, plus topical or oral antihistamines to reduce inflammation and other symptoms. In some cases, applying ice or a wet compress can help as well.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Acids, solvents, harsh soaps, or detergents can aggravate the skin and cause irritant contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis is treated the same way as allergic contact dermatitis.

As for prevention, Lio notes that even washing your hands frequently can lead to irritant contact dermatitis. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an incredibly common complaint in our office,” he says. The reaction usually resembles a burn, but eczema blisters may also pop up almost immediately, especially if the irritant is strong. The rash is typically more painful than itchy.

As with allergic contact dermatitis, try to avoid any known irritants to help prevent eczema blisters.

Also, use lukewarm water and moisturize after washing your hands to help reduce potential discomfort.