Beginning any new physical activity can cause blisters, because particular areas of skin are subjected to a sudden increase in friction or pressure. While many athletic blisters affect the feet, activities involving a constant grip on a piece of equipment easily lead to hand blisters. Rowing, of course, is one example. If you have a blister near the outside of your hand, some basic care is necessary to prevent ongoing irritation and interference with your activities, including your next rowing excursion.
Causes
The oars, and more specifically your grip on them, cause blisters on your hands during rowing. With a tight grip and the rubbing motion of the oars against the outside of your hands, your skin experiences excessive continuous friction. As a defense, the epidermis separates from the underlying dermis and a fluid fills between them to create a cushion. If you develop sweaty palms during rowing, this facilitates blistering on your hands.
Treatment
Other than some discomfort or pain, blisters are generally harmless and go away by themselves. Soak your affected hand in hot water with epsom salt during the healing process. Large or particularly painful blisters should be popped. Clean the area and a needle with isopropyl alcohol and make a tiny hole at the edge of the blister on the outside of your hand. Press down gently on the blister so all the fluid drains and wipe it away. Dab on an antibiotic ointment and cover the blister with a bandage. Leave the top layer of skin attached, as it helps prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the wound. Keep the blister covered with clean bandages for a few days, reapplying the antibiotic ointment when you change the dressing.
Prevention
Use a looser grip on the oars to help minimize the risk of blister formation on the outside of your hands. Use rower's gloves or wrap your hands in athletic tape to protect your skin from friction. Avoid leaving tape seams on your palms, however, because they may irritate the skin there while you grip the oars. Douse your hands with baby powder if your palms are prone to perspiration.
Warning
The main complication with blisters on the outside of your hand is an infection. Your hands constantly come into contact with dirt, bacteria and other irritants. In addition, a blister on your hand is likely to be irritated by occasional pressure or friction over the course of the day. Washing your hands frequently, regular re-applications of an antibiotic ointment and keeping the blister covered with a bandage are essential to protecting your hand's blister from infection. Monitor the area until the blister is fully healed. If you notice the area becoming increasingly red, if you continue to feel pain, if you see oozing fluids draining from the wound or if the affected skin feels warm to the touch, see your doctor for treatment of a possible infection. Generally, a one- or two-week course of oral antibiotics is required.
References
- Peterborough Rowing Club: Managing Rowing-Related Skin Injuries
- "The Physician and Sportsmedicine"; Athletic Skin Injuries; Rodney S. W. Blaser, et al.; May 2004
- Sports Injury Clinic: Blisters - Treatment and Prevention
- MayoClinic.com; Blisters: First Aid; Jan. 12, 2010
- KidsHealth: Blisters, Calluses and Corns
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