Health encyclopaedia

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Blisters

Blisters are fluid-filled swellings that form within or just under your skin. The clear fluid in the blister is called serum. Serum is the fluid part of the blood that does not contain red blood cells and separates when the blood clots. Blisters occur when this fluid leaks into the skin, forming a raised bump just under the outer layer of skin (the epidermis).

If the skin is crushed, or very tightly pinched or squeezed, a blood blister may form. This happens when the impact on the skin is strong enough to cause a small blood vessel to rupture (break). Small blood vessels are located close to the surface of the skin, and a rupture allows blood to leak into the tear between the layers of skin. 

Occasionally blisters become infected, and are filled with yellow pus.

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