Cycling, like any physical activity, can cause blood blisters in response to pressure or friction on skin that isn't accustomed to it. With time, your skin may form calluses to protect commonly affected areas if you continue riding your bicycle. If you're new to cycling, expect blisters, and possibly even blood blisters on your feet or hands unless you take preventative measures. These blisters are generally harmless, but can be a source of discomfort or pain that hinders daily activities or your next bike ride.
Causes
While cycling, the pressure between your feet and the pedals can cause blood blisters, as can pressure and friction from cycling shoes that are too tight. Your grip on the handlebars is another source of pressure that can prompt blood blister formation. This is more likely in off-road biking, when your hands experience considerable pressure and friction as you grip the handlebars tightly and try to hold them straight. Sweaty feet and palms are more susceptible to blistering. The outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, detaches from the layer beneath, called the dermis. A clear fluid creates a protective cushion in between. When a blood vessel is also damaged from the pressure or friction, it leaks blood into the blister, forming a blood blister.
Treatment
Blood blisters heal without intervention, and this is the preferred course. You may, however, decide to deflate them to reduce pain if they interfere with cycling or other activities, notes MayoClinic.com, which advises the following steps: Wash your hands and the area of the blister. Sterilize a pin and the blood blister with isopropyl alcohol. Puncture the epidermal layer of skin right at the border of the blood blister. Wipe away the blood as it drains with a clean cloth, then apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the site. Leave the epidermis attached. Stick a bandage over the drained blood blister to prevent the entry of dirt and bacteria into the wound. Change the dressing once or twice a day, putting on a new application of antibiotic ointment each time, until the wound is healed. Keep the area free from pressure and friction.
Prevention
Athletic shoes that fit well -- meaning they aren't so tight that they squeeze your foot anywhere and they aren't so loose that they rub up and down your heel as you ride -- are an important part of preventing blood blisters on your feet during cycling. Choose well-cushioned shoes or use a soft shoe insert in the sole of the shoe if the pressure of pedaling causes you to develop blood blisters on the balls of your feet or toes. Wear acrylic socks to minimize friction. Wrap your hands in athletic tape or wear cycling gloves to prevent blood blisters on your hands. Keep your palms free of tape seams, which can be an irritant that leads to blistering during a cycling outing. A liberal application of baby powder to your hands and feet should keep them dry, reducing the risk of blood blister formation.
Warning
The primary concern with blood blisters is development of an infection. This is more of a concern once they've been punctured. In fact, the Sports Injury Clinic advises not draining a blood-filled blister. Keep the blood blister clean and covered, and don't forget to apply the topical antibiotic ointment each time you change the bandage, even if you don't drain it. See a doctor if the site of the blood blister doesn't seem to be healing after a few days, if it continues to grow or redden, if it becomes increasingly painful, if the skin in the area feels warm or if you notice pus in the wound or seeping out of it.
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