Wearing poorly fitted shoes can also cause chilblains.People who are often exposed to damp conditions.People with a poor diet and a very low body weight.Those with a family history of chilblains.The people more at risk of suffering from this condition include: This can cause blood to leak into surrounding tissue areas which causes swelling, irritation and discomfort as chilblains are formed.Ĭhilblains can affect anybody but some people are more susceptible to getting chilblains than others. If our bodies are exposed too quickly to the heat, the body’s extremities (hands, feet, nose, ears) cannot always cope with the large increase of flow of blood. When a person is exposed to cold weather, our body responds naturally to the cold by allowing our blood vessels get narrower to allow the blood to move deeper inside the skin to help preserve the body’s core temperature. The blood vessels will then expand to allow the normal flow of blood once our bodies are exposed to the warmth again. It can also allow ulcers to form on the skin or for the skin to become infected if it has blistered or been scratched.Ĭhilblains are mainly caused by the skin getting extremely cold and then being heated up again too quickly afterwards, for example by placing cold hands on a warm radiator after coming in from the cold. They are caused by an abnormal reaction to cold temperatures and are therefore a winter complaint. The swellings caused by chilblains usually develop several hours after being exposed to the cold. Chilblains are usually very uncomfortable and can be quite painful and irritating.Īlthough chilblains are very itchy, it is important to try and discourage scratching as this can cause scarring of the skin and permanent discolouration of the skin. Chilblains are often small, red and itchy lumps that appear on areas including toes, fingers, ears and nose. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 42.Chilblains can affect anybody although are more common in women and young children or the elderly. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, can treat your chilblains and share tips to prevent them. Boost circulation by exercising regularly.Ĭhilblains typically clear up on their own within a few weeks, but if your chilblains are too painful and cause ulceration, it’s time for a visit to your podiatrist.Keep your body warm, particularly your extremities, by wearing gloves, beanies, and thick socks during the winter season.Wear cotton or woolen socks and wash and change them daily.Retain body head with products containing Lanolin.Apply a soothing lotion such as witch hazel or calamine.It’s better to warm up your entire body gradually instead. While it seems natural to turn up the heat in your car or home or apply a hot water bottle when it’s cold, don’t do this too quickly. Common Symptoms of Chilblains:Ĭhilblains are aggravated by sudden changes in temperature, such as when you are sitting in front of a fireplace or heater, and then go outdoors in the cold weather. And while chilblains rarely cause permanent harm to your tissues, they can be rather painful. People who are sedentary, underweight individuals, and seniors are more at risk. If your circulation slows, this tightening can deprive your extremities of warmth and blood. In the colder weather, our blood vessels tighten to maintain body heat. Causes of ChilblainsĬhilblains are the result of a combination of poor circulation and cold weather. Hubert Lee , at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists, in Bellevue, WA, is sharing more about this condition, including causes, symptoms, and how to prevent it. But if the cold weather has caused itchy, swollen areas on your fingers and toes, you’re probably experiencing chilblains. If you’ve never heard of chilblains, you’ve probably never had them and probably don’t need to worry. Unfortunately, so is the risk of chilblains. With the first day of fall, comes the realization that winter is not far behind.
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