Toe blisters, like blisters on other areas of the foot, are most commonly caused by friction from ill-fitting shoes or moisture within the socks and shoes. As the foot moves within the shoe, different layers of skin tend to shear away from each other, and a fluid fills the void. If the blister gets infected, that fluid may be pus; in other cases, the fluid might be blood or simply a clear liquid called blister fluid. While friction is the most common cause of toe blisters, infections or extremely high or low temperatures can also cause blisters on different areas of the foot and body.
Extremely high temperatures can cause blisters. Stepping on a hot surface with the bare foot can cause blisters immediately, from a severe burn. If blisters appear after a few days, a less severe burn has occurred. Extremely low temperatures can also cause blisters, and they are an indicator that frostbite has occurred. Swimming in cold water consistently or for long periods of time can lead to frostbite on highly susceptible toes; frostbite is most likely to occur on parts of the body furthest away from the heart.
Direct impact can also cause toe blisters that are likely to be filled with blood. Such blisters occur when a blood vessel bursts, allowing blood to leak in between layers of skin. These types of toe blisters are often known as blood blisters, and while they are more often caused by direct impact, they may also occur as a result of friction on the skin. In many cases, the layer of skin on top of the blood pocket may separate, allowing the fluid within to leak out. This leaves a flap of skin that will eventually dry out and fall off.
Treatment of toe blisters varies depending on the type of blister incurred. In most cases, wrapping the blister to keep it from bursting is the best course of action; blister fluid helps regenerate skin and also helps the wound heal. The fluid will eventually be absorbed back into the body harmlessly. Moleskin is often cut and placed around the blister to prevent friction from affecting the blister any more. The moleskin fabric is soft and durable, and it will absorb the blister fluid should the blister break during movement. If the blister breaks, it is a good idea to clean the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection.