GC: n
S: NCBI – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30395395 (last access: 8 November 2018); MedicineNet.com – https://www.medicinenet.com/blisters/symptoms.htm (last access: 8 November 2018).
N: 1. c. 1300, ‘thin vesicle on the skin containing watery matter’, perhaps via Old French blestre ‘blister, lump, bump’ from a Scandinavian source (compare Old Norse blāstr ‘a blowing’, dative blǣstri ‘swelling’), or from Middle Dutch blȳster ‘swelling’; all perhaps from PIE *bhlei- ‘to blow, swell’, extension of root *bhel- (2) ‘to blow, swell’.
2. Blisters are fluid-filled sacs on the outer layer of your skin.
3. Blisters are classified as ‘vesicles’ if they are 0.5 cm (0.2 inch) or less in diameter and as ‘bullae’ if they are larger.
4. Blisters often happen when there is friction (rubbing or pressure) on one spot. Other causes of blisters include:
- burns;
- sunburn;
- frostbite;
- eczema;
- allergic reactions;
- poison ivy, oak, and sumac;
- autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus;
- epidermolysis bullosa, an illness that causes the skin to be fragile;
- viral infections such as varicella zoster (which causes chickenpox and shingles) and herpes simplex (which causes cold sores);
- skin infections including impetigo.
5. Blisters can be prevented by:
- making sure that your shoes fit properly;
- wearing socks with your shoes, and make sure that the socks fit well (you may want to wear socks that are acrylic or nylon, so they keep moisture away from your feet);
- wearing gloves or protective gear on your hands when you use any tools or sports equipment that cause friction.
6. Particularly bullae are so designated as blisters.
According to source MBIOL, 1986, vol. 3, p. 2171, “phlyctena” is a seldom used term for “burn blister”.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/word/blister#etymonline_v_13609 (last access: 8 November 2018); MW – https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blister (last access: 8 November 2018). 2. MEDLP – https://medlineplus.gov/blisters.html] (last access: 8 November 2018). 3. EncBritAS – https://www.britannica.com/science/blister (last access: 8 November 2018). 4 & 5. MEDLP – https://medlineplus.gov/blisters.html (last access: 8 November 2018). 6. TERMIUM PLUS – https://bit.ly/2Fcmz2b (last access: 10 November 2018).
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