Vesicles
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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Autoimmune disorders such as bullous pemphigoid or pemphigus
Bullous pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by blisters.
Read 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....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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. Hemoglobin is a protein in ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a very itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic (long-term).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Chickenpox
Chickenpox
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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Herpes simplex (cold sores, genital herpes)
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This article focuses on HSV type 2 infection....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Herpes zoster (shingles)
Herpes zoster
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes family of viruses. This is the viru...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Burns
- Friction
- Treatment with cryotherapy (to treat a wart for example)
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 under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTreatment will depend on the cause of the vesicles.
Reviewed By
Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dinulos JGH. Vesicular and bullous diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.
Marks JG, Miller JJ. Vesicles and bullae. In: Marks JG, Miller JJ, eds. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 10.