To be worried my heel is infected? [Warning - gross picture included]

[GrossBlisterSorry]

Hello!

Shamelessly posting for traffic, but I need sensible people to tell me whether I should be worried about my heel or not.

I developed a blister when I was running, and then it popped when I went running again a couple of days later. It's been like this for about two days.

There was some yellow-ish fluid (I wouldn't describe it as pus) on the blister plaster when I took it off just now. It feels very wet (sorry).

Does it look infected to you?

[allthegoodnameshadgone]

Just looks raw to me. I've had blisters like that. It should dry up if you can let the air get to it

[GrossBlisterSorry]

Oooh phew!

Thank you

[UpstartCrow]

It doesn't look infected, it looks like the top layer of skin has peeled off. the wet gooey stuff looks like plasma, thats the stuff that makes scabs.
Keep it clean, dry and air it as much as you can.

If it gets hot, and the surrounding skin turns red, or it has red lines radiating out then its infected.

[Floralnomad]

Just looks like a popped blister to me

[picklemepopcorn]

You need one of those blister plasters with the fancy name. Hydro colloidal. They are reasonably priced, own brand tesco. You leave it on until it falls off, it cushions and promotes healing.

[GrossBlisterSorry]

Super glad to hear IABVU!

I don't usually get concerned about these things, but for some reason this had me worried.

I actually had no idea that could be plasma UpstartCrow - the more you know! Thank you all.

[londonrach]

Wash with salt water and cover with a melolin like type dressing eg softpore and mefix not a plaster. Avoid wearing any shoes that rub it. Its got wet from a shower and the blister dressing. Id be tempted to let to the air if no pets in your house to dry it out then dress it with a melolin dressing overnight. Dont use a plaster!!!! You need the air to get to it

[GrossBlisterSorry]

Ah yeah picklemepopcorn, I've been using those (very expensive!) Compeed blister plasters. They became white and raised around the blister area and my DH pointed it out.

Come to think of it, I think my DH being so OTT about the plaster going white is what set me off.

[cate16]

Looks just like the two I have got at the moment. :(

... I'm beginning to wish the Hermes driver had actually lost my parcel (new boots) on Wednesday!

[londonrach]

This sort of thing. Tesco might sell it. www.chemistdirect.co.uk/melolin-cushioned-dressing-pads-5cmx5cm/prd-3j3 You need to get the air to it. Guess my job?

[RavenLG]

Those compeed plasters do that, don’t worry about it.

Keep clean and dry and let it get air to promote healing

[GrossBlisterSorry]

Oooh dear cate, sorry to hear it! For fairly innocuous injuries burst blisters aren't half painful!

I've heard putting large-ish potatoes in new boots (if leather) helps to stretch them if that's any help?

Haha londonrach are you a pharmacist by any chance? That is really helpful, thank you so much. I'll air it out this evening (away from my long-haired cat) and hopefully it'll be looking better by tomorrow.

May have to banish DH from the bed so he doesn't knock my heels in the night though!

[JustVent]

That doesn’t look infected that looks like it’s trying to heal itself but been unable. It needs to be aired I think.

Looks very uncomfortable!

[GrossBlisterSorry]

I actually love mumsnet, even AIBU.

I was just telling my DH that I often ask questions on here I couldn't ask my own mum (she's not a particularly caring person). It's just full of very intelligent and insightful women.

[InToMyHeart]

Wash your hands and touch it, does it feel hot? If it does, it could be infected.

[MollyHuaCha]

Keep clean and dry and let it get air to promote healing

^ I was going to say this but Raven said it for me. Hope it heals soon.

[AndWhat]

Don’t put a hydrocolloid (blister plaster) on it, it will make it and the good surrounding skin wetter. It needs a dry dressing such as soft pore or tegaderm leave the dressing in place for 5-7 days

[JoeyMaynardssolidlump]

Signs of infection are a smell, heat, pus, raised temp in you generally, feeling generally ill,

As an ex DN I would say leave it to get some air and melanin dressing when you go out and it won’t stick to it.

Ouch though op poor you.

[brownelephant]

disinfect it and cover with alginate dressing.
try not to wear shoes that rub the heel the next few days.

hope it heels soon, it looks sore

[JustVent]

DN? Darling Nurse?

[cathcath2]

I'd second washing it in salt water - just a bit of salt in warm water in a washing up bowl or similar (make sure the bowl is clean). It's a natural antiseptic - I was advised to do this to wash my foot when I'd had an ingrowing toenail removed.

[EduCated]

DN? Darling Nurse?

Would guess at District Nurse.

[CurlsLDN]

Tell your DH That’s exactly what a compeed plaster is supposed to do!!

It sucks the moisture out of the blister and into the compeed stuff, which makes a nice cushion, whilst also drying out the blister. As you have taken it off too soon you’ve reopened the wound, hence the plasma.

If you want to try the compeed again (and they really are brilliant, I say that as a mountain climber) then you need to leave it on until it peels off by itself, usually a good 4 or 5 days

[CurlsLDN]

(When the compeed peels off by itself you’ll find dry, healed skin underneath)

[Pinkponiesrock]

I had very similar blisters on both heels after a run in the snow with new trail running trainers on.

I got a load of tegaderm dressings and also big sheets of what looked like compeed.
I left them bare at night after a few days to air, tegaderm during the day with normal shoes and the compeed stuff on them after a week or so when I tried to run.

Healed up completely in 2 weeks, still a bit pink 2 months on though, must have done a really good job of shredding them!