How serious are chilblains?
Most people don’t need to seek medical advice if they have chilblains. They usually heal within a few weeks and don’t cause any permanent problems. See your GP or chiropodist for advice if you have: severe or recurring chilblains. Chilblains appear as bluish or red patches on the skin. They may be hot, swollen or itchy. Normally they last for two to three weeks but this may be longer in people with poor circulation.If you do get chilblains, keeping the skin warm and dry can help ease the symptoms. Chilblains, also known as perniosis, usually clears up in 2 or 3 weeks, especially if the weather gets warmer. You may get the symptoms each cold season for years. The condition doesn’t usually result in permanent injury.Chilblains can be treated at home with self-care, including keeping your hands and feet warm and dry. If your chilblains symptoms don’t clear up with self-care, your health care provider may suggest medicine, including: A topical corticosteroid.The exact cause of chilblains is unknown. They may be an unusual reaction of your body to cold followed by rewarming. Rewarming of cold skin can cause small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger blood vessels can handle.
What not to do with chilblains?
If you have chilblains, do not scratch them as this may lead to infection. Use calamine lotion, witch hazel or chilblain cream to soothe the itching and burning. If a chilblain has broken or cracked, just keep it covered with a clean dressing every day. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice. Chilblain lupus is an uncommon type of lupus that affects your skin (cutaneous lupus erythematosus or CLE). Chilblain lupus causes painful red or purple sores and discolored patches (plaques) of skin. These small sores (chilblains) form or worsen after exposure to cold temperatures.Chilblain lupus erythematosus (CHLE) was first described in 1888 as cold-induced erythematous lesions before the terms ‘chilblains’ or ‘perniosis’ were coined.Symptoms of chilblains If you have chilblains, your skin can feel itchy or like it’s burning. Your fingers or toes may become red or purple. But redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
Do healthy people get chilblains?
They may feel itchy, tender or painful. Anyone can get chilblains, but people with a low body mass index (BMI) have a higher risk of developing them. Babies can get chilblains as well if they’re not wearing proper clothing in damp or cold weather. Anyone can get chilblains, but people with a low body mass index (BMI) have a higher risk of developing them. Babies can get chilblains as well if they’re not wearing proper clothing in damp or cold weather.