A black woman aged 52 years developed large (1.5-2.0 cm wide), fluid-filled blisters on her swollen ankles. There were no other symptoms, and the patient’s health history was unremarkable except for anemia. What could be the cause?—JUNE A. NEWMAN, MSN, RNP, Cranston, R.I.
Acute edema blisters is the term applied to the development of tense cutaneous bullae following episodes of acute lower-limb edema (particularly in elderly and hospitalized individuals). The blisters appear to be related to the speed of development of the edema instead of the actual degree of swelling. They tend to respond rapidly and completely to treatment of the underlying edema (Br J Dermatol. 2001;144:580-582).— Philip R. Cohen, MD (148-7)
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