Chilblains

Chilblains are swollen, red, and sometimes blistered patches that appear on the hands and feet. This happens after being exposed to cold, damp air – not freezing air. Think of it like a mild skin reaction to cold, similar to how your skin might get flushed after a brisk walk. The symptoms often show up several hours after you've been out in the cold.

This skin irritation, sometimes called perniosis, is quite common. It's caused by blood vessels constricting in response to the cold. The dampness makes the cold more likely to cause the inflammation.

You can often prevent chilblains by keeping your exposure to cold weather brief, dressing warmly, and covering your hands and feet when outdoors. This helps protect your skin from the cold and dampness.

If you do develop chilblains, keeping the affected area warm and dry is key to easing discomfort. Warm compresses or a warm bath can help. Avoid rubbing or scratching the affected skin.

Most cases of chilblains go away on their own within a couple of weeks, especially if the weather warms up. However, you might experience them repeatedly during cold seasons for several years. It's important to remember that chilblains typically don't cause lasting damage to the skin.

Chilblains are a skin condition that often affects the hands and feet. They cause small, irritated areas of skin that can be itchy. Sometimes, the skin might blister, swell, or hurt with a stinging sensation. The affected skin might also change color.

It's important to see a doctor if:

• Your symptoms last a long time or keep coming and going: This could be a sign of a more serious problem.
• You think you might have an infection: If the affected area looks inflamed or pus is present, it's essential to get medical attention.
• Your symptoms don't improve after about two weeks of home care: Home remedies like keeping the affected areas warm and dry might help, but if things aren't getting better, a doctor can provide the best treatment plan.
• You're experiencing symptoms during warmer months: This is unusual and warrants a check-up.
• You're unsure if you were exposed to freezing temperatures: It's possible to confuse chilblains with frostbite, and a doctor can accurately diagnose and treat the condition.

Essentially, if you notice any of these symptoms and they persist or worsen, seeking medical advice is the best course of action.

If you think your child might have chilblains, it's important to see a doctor if:

• The symptoms keep coming back or are getting worse: If the redness, swelling, and itching don't go away or keep returning, even after trying home remedies.
• You suspect an infection: If the affected area looks or feels infected (like it's getting pussier, warmer, or more painful). This is important, as an infection needs medical attention.
• Home care isn't helping after two weeks: If the symptoms haven't improved much after two weeks of keeping the affected area warm, dry, and avoiding extreme cold.
• The symptoms are still present in warmer weather: Chilblains usually happen in cold weather. If the symptoms continue into the summer months, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
• You're unsure if you were in freezing temperatures: Chilblains are different from frostbite. If you're not sure if you were in temperatures low enough to cause frostbite, it's better to have a doctor check for any possible frostbite issues. Frostbite can be dangerous and needs prompt medical attention.

Chilblains are a condition where the skin becomes inflamed and sore, often in response to cold weather. Exactly why this happens isn't fully understood, but one theory is that it's a reaction to the body being exposed to cold and then warming up again. When your skin gets cold, the small blood vessels near the surface constrict. Then, when the skin warms up, these tiny blood vessels try to expand quickly. However, the larger blood vessels that control blood flow aren't able to adjust as quickly. This mismatch can lead to blood pooling in the small vessels, causing inflammation and the tell-tale symptoms of chilblains.

Chilblains are more likely to develop in certain situations. Here are some factors that increase your risk:

• Tight or cold clothing and shoes: Wearing clothes and shoes that are too snug or that expose your skin to the cold for extended periods in damp weather can make you more prone to chilblains. This is because the tight clothing restricts blood flow to the affected area, making it more vulnerable to cold.

• Age and Gender: Chilblains are most common in women between the ages of 15 and 30. The reasons behind this gender difference aren't fully understood, but it's a significant factor.

• Body Weight: People who are underweight are more susceptible to chilblains. This is likely connected to having less body fat to insulate against the cold. A healthy body weight can help protect against the cold.

• Climate: Living in areas with a lot of moisture in the air (high humidity) and cool temperatures (not freezing) increases your risk. These conditions can make the skin more sensitive to cold.

• Underlying Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions can make you more likely to get chilblains. These include Raynaud's phenomenon (a condition where blood vessels narrow in response to cold), connective tissue disorders (like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), and even recent infections like COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). If you have any of these conditions, you might need to take extra precautions to protect yourself from the cold.

Repeated exposure to cold and damp conditions can sometimes lead to a skin problem called chilblains. If chilblains happen often, the affected areas might become permanently scarred and thinner than normal skin.

Preventing Chilblains: Simple Steps for Cold Weather

Chilblains are a skin condition that happens when your skin gets too cold. Here's how to protect yourself:

Limit Cold Exposure: Try to stay inside as much as possible when the weather is very cold. If you must go outside, limit the amount of time you spend in the cold.

Gradual Warming: When you come inside from the cold, don't jump into a hot shower or bath right away. Gradually warm up your body and skin. A warm, but not hot, drink or a gradual increase in temperature will help.

Dress in Layers: Wear several layers of loose clothing. This traps warm air and helps insulate your body. Make sure you wear gloves or mittens, a scarf, and a hat to cover exposed areas. Also, wear warm, waterproof boots or shoes to protect your feet.

Complete Coverage: Cover as much of your skin as possible with clothing, especially when you're outside in the cold. This will help prevent your body from losing heat.

Keep Skin Dry and Warm: Make sure your hands, feet, and face are completely dry. Dry skin is more vulnerable to the cold. Keep your hands and feet warm by wearing gloves and warm socks. A warm, dry face can be helped with a scarf or a hat.

Maintain a Warm Environment: Keep your home and workplace at a comfortable temperature. This helps prevent your body from having to work so hard to stay warm.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking can reduce blood flow to your extremities, which can make chilblains more likely. Quitting smoking can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of many health problems.

By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing chilblains in cold weather.

To figure out if you have chilblains, a doctor will examine the affected skin and ask about your symptoms. They'll also want to know if you've been exposed to cold temperatures recently. If you think you might have been in temperatures below freezing, it's important to tell your doctor. Being exposed to very cold temperatures could mean you have frostbite instead of chilblains.

To make sure it's definitely chilblains and not something else, your doctor might order some blood tests. Sometimes, a small piece of the affected skin is taken to a lab for a closer look under a microscope. This is called a skin biopsy. This helps the doctor determine the exact cause of the problem.