Cold compresses are recommended in the early stages of tension blisters within 24 to 48 hours. Cold compresses can be applied to the affected area with cold towels or protected with ice packs for 30 minutes each time and again at 30-minute intervals. The affected limb should be elevated above the level of the heart, and oral medication should be used to reduce edema, and oral cephalosporin antibiotics should be used to prevent infection. Usually the tension blisters reach their peak in 3-5 days, at which time the blisters can be poked and drained and topical iodophor is applied externally, which usually heals in about two weeks.