When the skin is exposed to the dry cold, its small blood vessels react abnormally resulting in pain. This abnormal reaction of the blood vessels is called Chilblain. The exposure to cold temperatures results in the chapping, cracking or ulceration on the skin surface.

The risk of cold injury increases with the consumption of alcohol. This cold injury cannot only result in the loss of body parts but can also prove to be fatal. The fingers, toes and ears are most likely to be affected by chilblains because of frequent exposure. Chilblains do not occur instantly, rather they become apparent several hours after exposure to the cold temperatures in humid weather.

Chilblains are uncommon the countries where weather remains cold for most part of the year and air remains dry. The condition of living and the clothing under such climates protect body from chilblain attack.

Causes Of Chilblains

Exposure to cold and damp weather makes body react abnormally and causes pain on the affected portion.

Lack of sufficient diet and an excessive susceptibility for low temperatures may result in chilblains.

Chilblains may occur due to lack of proper balance in hormone levels.

A sudden rapid warming of chilled skin may also give rise to the possibility of the development of chilblains.

Damp living can also be one of the causes behind development of chilblains.

The risk of chilblains increases with disorders in some connective tissue and bone marrow.

Who can be at risk?

The young and adult persons especially women are susceptible to chilblains, perhaps because of the hormonal changes.

People who avoid wearing socks while going outside during chilly weather can obviously be prone to chilblains.

People who don't cover their body parts properly during cold weather can be at the risk of chilblains.

People with poor circulation are more prone to chilblains, which are also known as pernios or perniosis. But people with good circulation too cannot remain untouched of this condition.

Active smokers too can be at the risk of chilblains because blood circulation becomes low with smoking.

Chilblains may attack some people every year in rest of their lives while some others can suffer this condition for few years, without any definite and known reasons.

Chilblains Symptoms

Chilblains, which usually appear at chilly climate initially cause feeling of burning and itching on the affected area of the skin.

The blistering of chilblains in some cases causes delay in the healing process.

The dryness of the skin affected by chilblains may cause splits and cracks.

In some severe cases chilblains result in the formation of ulcers on the affected areas.

Painful swellings may occur as a result of chilblains.

Chilblains, which initially take the forms of small and itchy red patches on the skin, turn dark blue and become more painful after becoming congested.

They can also appear as swollen patches. Dryness of chilblains causes development of cracks giving rise to the chance of infection.

Chilblains commonly affect the toes, but sometimes they also appear on fingers and the face particularly the nose and ears.

Chilblains in feet may be associated with bunions corns and callus.

Chilblains Treatment

Warm up the affected skin gradually after exposure to cold temperatures.

Apply steroid creams on the affected portion to get relief from itching and reduce swelling.

Improve your blood circulation by taking medications.

You can treat broken skin by using topical antibiotic cream.

Apply calamine or any other such lotions and creams to the affected area to get soothing effect.

Maintain your body temperature by applying the lanolin into your feet.

How to prevent chilblains?

Gradual warming of feet and hands in cold weather can be a good choice to prevent chilblains. Don't allow skin of your feet to become cold, rather put on woolen and cotton socks.

You must keep your feet dry by wearing rubber boots. Cover your face with a wool or scarf to safeguard it from cold air.

In case your feet becomes cold, you should not go for a direct heating sources such as fireplace and electric heating blanket for warming up. Also don't go for hot bath or shower because overheating may lead to development of chilblains.

Shed habit of smoking as it may adversely affect blood circulation in your body.

Go for gentle exercise to boost blood circulation.

If your hands become cold, you must soak them in slightly hot water. But make sure that they are dry altogether when you out.