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Vesicles
Blisters
A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.
Considerations
A vesicle is small. It may be as tiny as the top of a pin or up to 5 millimeters wide. A larger blister is called a bulla.
In many cases, vesicles break easily and release their fluid onto the skin. When this fluid dries, yellow crusts may remain on the skin surface.
Causes
Many diseases and conditions can cause vesicles. Common examples include:
- Allergic reactions to drugs
-
Atopic dermatitis (
eczema
)
Eczema
Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...
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Autoimmune disorders such as
bullous pemphigoid
or
pemphigus
Bullous pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by large blisters.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticlePemphigus
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disorder of the skin. It involves blistering and sores (erosions) of the skin and mucous membranes....
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Blistering skin diseases including
porphyria
cutanea tarda and
dermatitis herpetiformis
Porphyria
Porphyrias are a group of rare inherited disorders. An important part of hemoglobin, called heme, is not made properly. Heme is also found in myogl...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleDermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an extremely itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic (long-term), which means it continues over...
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Chicken pox
Chicken pox
Chickenpox is a viral infection in which a person develops very itchy blisters all over the body. It was more common in the past. The illness is ra...
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Contact dermatitis
(may be caused by poison ivy)
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance.
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Herpes simplex (cold sores,
genital herpes
)
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. This article focuses on HSV type 2 infection.
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Herpes zoster
(shingles)
Herpes zoster
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the virus that also causes chicken...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Impetigo
- Fungal infections
- Burns
Home Care
It is best to have your health care provider examine any skin rashes, including vesicles.
Over-the-counter treatments are available for certain conditions that cause vesicles, including poison ivy and cold sores.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you have any unexplained blisters on your skin.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will look at your skin. Some vesicles can be diagnosed simply by how they look.
In many cases, additional tests are needed. The fluid inside a blister may be sent to a lab for closer examination. In particularly difficult cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to make or confirm a diagnosis.
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...
Treatment will depend on the cause of the vesicles.
References
Marks JG, Miller JJ. Vesicles and bullae. In: Marks JG, Miller JJ, eds. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 10.
-
Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters - illustration
Bullous pemphigoid is a blistering skin condition that most often affects the elderly. This is a close-up picture of the typical blisters. Large blisters, like these, are called bullae.
Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters
illustration
-
Chigger bite - close-up of blisters - illustration
Chigger bites are caused by the larvae of the chigger. The bite produces blisters (vesicles) and bleeding into the skin (purpura). These bites itch intensely and are usually located on exposed areas of the skin where the chigger larvae have access. This photograph demonstrates vesicle formation following the bites.
Chigger bite - close-up of blisters
illustration
-
Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles - illustration
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is cause by a coxsackie virus. It produces mouth ulcers and small blisters (vesicles) on the hands and feet. The vesicles often have a reddish border with a white or lighter colored area in the center.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles
illustration
-
Herpes simplex - close-up - illustration
This close-up view of an early herpes outbreak shows small, grouped blisters and a lot of redness.
Herpes simplex - close-up
illustration
-
Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion - illustration
A close-up picture of herpes zoster skin lesions. Four small blisters are shown with redness around them. These vesicles will break, crust over, scab, and finally heal.
Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion
illustration
-
Poison ivy on the knee - illustration
This is a typical early appearance of a poison ivy rash, located on the knee. These early lesions consist of multiple small blisters (vesicles), often in a line where the skin has brushed against the poison ivy plant.
Poison ivy on the knee
illustration
-
Poison ivy on the leg - illustration
This is a typical early appearance of a poison ivy rash, located on the leg. These early lesions consist of multiple small blisters, often in a line where the skin has brushed against the poison ivy plant. The rash is caused by skin contact with the oily sap (resin) of these plants. The oily resin usually enters the skin rapidly, and is seldom transferred from person to person. The rash is not caused by the fluid from the blisters. Thus, once the person has washed the oil off the skin, the rash is usually not contagious.
Poison ivy on the leg
illustration
-
Vesicles - illustration
A vesicle, or blister, is a thin-walled sac filled with a fluid, usually clear and small. Vesicle is an important term used to describe the appearance of many rashes that typically consist of or begin with tiny-to-small fluid-filled blisters.
Vesicles
illustration
-
Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters - illustration
Bullous pemphigoid is a blistering skin condition that most often affects the elderly. This is a close-up picture of the typical blisters. Large blisters, like these, are called bullae.
Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters
illustration
-
Chigger bite - close-up of blisters - illustration
Chigger bites are caused by the larvae of the chigger. The bite produces blisters (vesicles) and bleeding into the skin (purpura). These bites itch intensely and are usually located on exposed areas of the skin where the chigger larvae have access. This photograph demonstrates vesicle formation following the bites.
Chigger bite - close-up of blisters
illustration
-
Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles - illustration
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is cause by a coxsackie virus. It produces mouth ulcers and small blisters (vesicles) on the hands and feet. The vesicles often have a reddish border with a white or lighter colored area in the center.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles
illustration
-
Herpes simplex - close-up - illustration
This close-up view of an early herpes outbreak shows small, grouped blisters and a lot of redness.
Herpes simplex - close-up
illustration
-
Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion - illustration
A close-up picture of herpes zoster skin lesions. Four small blisters are shown with redness around them. These vesicles will break, crust over, scab, and finally heal.
Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion
illustration
-
Poison ivy on the knee - illustration
This is a typical early appearance of a poison ivy rash, located on the knee. These early lesions consist of multiple small blisters (vesicles), often in a line where the skin has brushed against the poison ivy plant.
Poison ivy on the knee
illustration
-
Poison ivy on the leg - illustration
This is a typical early appearance of a poison ivy rash, located on the leg. These early lesions consist of multiple small blisters, often in a line where the skin has brushed against the poison ivy plant. The rash is caused by skin contact with the oily sap (resin) of these plants. The oily resin usually enters the skin rapidly, and is seldom transferred from person to person. The rash is not caused by the fluid from the blisters. Thus, once the person has washed the oil off the skin, the rash is usually not contagious.
Poison ivy on the leg
illustration
-
Vesicles - illustration
A vesicle, or blister, is a thin-walled sac filled with a fluid, usually clear and small. Vesicle is an important term used to describe the appearance of many rashes that typically consist of or begin with tiny-to-small fluid-filled blisters.
Vesicles
illustration
Review Date: 4/14/2015
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
