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Chilblains

Chilblains

skin dermatological
0 medicines 3 symptoms

Chilblains are small, itchy swellings on the skin that can show up after you've been out in the cold. They can be uncomfortable, but they usually heal on their own within a few weeks.

Common Symptoms

Swelling affected skin turning red or dark blue in severe cases, the surface of the skin breaks, and sores or blisters develop

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

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Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

When to See a Doctor

When to get medical advice

You do not usually need to see a GP, as chilblains normally get better on their own within a few weeks.

Contact your GP practice if:

  • you have chilblains and your skin has not got any better after 2 to 3 weeks
  • there is pus coming out of your skin
  • your temperature is very high or you feel hot or shivery
  • you keep getting chilblains
  • your chilblains are severe
  • you have diabetes and have chilblains – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

Causes

What causes chilblains?

Chilblains happen because of an unusual reaction to cold. In the UK, they are common because winters tend to be damp and cold, though the same pattern applies wherever skin faces prolonged cold and dampness.

Some people get chilblains that come back and last for several months every winter.

Here is what happens inside the skin. When skin gets cold, the blood vessels near its surface narrow. If the skin is then warmed up, those vessels widen again. If this warming happens too quickly, the blood vessels close to the surface cannot always cope with the sudden rush of blood. Some blood leaks into the tissue around the vessels, and this is what leads to the swelling and itching that come with chilblains.

Who is more likely to get chilblains?

Some people face a higher risk than others. This tends to include people who have:

poor blood circulation

a family history of chilblains

regular exposure to cold, damp or draughty conditions

a poor diet or low body weight

lupus, a long term condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues

Raynaud's phenomenon, a common condition affecting blood supply to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes

People who smoke also face a higher risk, since nicotine narrows the blood vessels.

Chilblains can also appear on parts of the feet that are under pressure, such as where a bunion sits or where a toe is squeezed by tight shoes.

Treatment

Chilblains usually heal on their own without any treatment.

Treatment from your doctor

If your chilblains are severe or keep coming back, your GP may prescribe a medicine called nifedipine. This is taken daily as a tablet or capsule. It works by relaxing your blood vessels and improving blood flow to the affected areas.

Nifedipine can help chilblains you already have to heal faster, and it can also be taken beforehand to help stop new ones from forming.

Prevention

If you know you are prone to chilblains, there is a lot you can do to keep them from coming back. Try to stay out of the cold whenever you can, take good care of your feet, and work on improving your circulation.

When your skin feels cold, warm it up slowly. One of the biggest triggers for chilblains is heating cold skin too fast, such as dipping your feet in hot water or holding them right up against a heater.

Things that help:

  • If you smoke, try to quit. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, which can make chilblains worse.
  • Stay physically active, since movement improves circulation.
  • Dress warmly and insulate your hands, feet and legs. Long johns, long boots, tights, leg warmers or long socks all help.
  • Put on a clean pair of socks if your feet get cold at night in bed.
  • Avoid tight shoes or boots, as they restrict blood flow to your toes and feet.
  • Moisturise your feet often so the skin does not dry out and crack.
  • Have at least 1 hot meal during the day. This helps warm your whole body, especially in cold weather.
  • Warm your shoes on the radiator before wearing them, and make sure any damp shoes are fully dry first. If your feet are already cold, check that the shoes are not too hot, since that can bring on chilblains too.
  • Warm your hands before heading outdoors by soaking them in warm water for a few minutes, then drying them well. Cotton lined waterproof gloves can help if needed. If your hands are already cold, warm them slowly rather than quickly, to avoid triggering chilblains.
  • Keep your home warm. Try to keep at least 1 room comfortably heated and avoid draughts.
  • If you have diabetes, check your feet regularly yourself, or have someone check them for you. Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet, so an infected chilblain could go unnoticed.

Preventing complications

Most of the time, complications from chilblains can be avoided.

Things to avoid:

  • Do not scratch or rub the affected skin.
  • Do not warm the chilblains too quickly, for example with hot water.

To lower your risk of infection, clean any broken skin with antiseptic, cover it with an antiseptic dressing, and change the dressing every other day until it heals. If the area does become infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Complications

If chilblains keep coming back, or are severe, there's a small chance of complications, including:

  • infection in skin that's blistered or scratched
  • ulcers on the skin
  • permanent discolouration
  • scarring