Chilblain Remedies
July 30, 2009
During the winter, exposure to the cold causes chilblains. Chilblains can affect any part of your skin exposed to cold, but they generally develop on the extremities, such as the fingers, toes, earlobes and nose.
Poor blood circulation, particularly in the extremities causes chilblains. Cold causes constriction of the blood vessels in these parts, slowing down blood circulation.
When you try to warm your skin fast, by exposing it to a source of heat, some fluids leak from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues as the blood vessels rapidly dilate. This fluid leakage into the tissues causes inflammation.
Chilblains are characterized by large swollen areas. They are red in color and might become purple at a later stage. Chilblains cause burning, itching and pain. Chilblains sometimes develop into blisters. Blisters might also lead to infections and ulcers.
Chilblain home remedies
Chilblains generally heal by themselves. The inflammation subsides within seven days up to a week. People susceptible to chilblains during the winter, should cover their hands and feet properly during the winter months.
To improve blood circulation, exercise vigorously throughout the winter. Do not rapidly warm yourself after exposure to the cold. Always gradually warm your hands and feet.
During the winter, to prevent chilblains, massage your hands and feet regularly with hot oil. Chilblains could be cured by applying hot sesame seed oil on the affected areas. Mix one tablespoon of flour with half a teaspoon honey, the white of an egg and a teaspoon of glycerin.
Blend these ingredients well and apply the paste on the chilblains. Boil a handful of marigold flowers in one liter of water. Add one teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Remove the decoction from the fire after about fifteen minutes.
When the temperature of this decoction becomes tolerable to touch, soak your hands and feet in it. This helps to cure your chilblains rapidly. To reduce the itching put a slice of salted potato on the chilblains. You can also reduce the itching by applying onion juice on the affected area.
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