Winter Chilblains

What is Chilblains?

Chilblains is the inflammation of the little blood vessels in your skin as a response to repetitive cold weather exposure. It is often painful and more commonly seen on the extremities such as the toes, fingers and nose.

It is a misconception that the weather needs to be freezing before you see symptoms of Chilblains. It can be seasonal and occur more often in the colder months of the year. You can get Chilblains from repetitive cold (not freezing) weather exposure.

What are the risk factors for Chilblains?

The factors that may increase the risk of having Chilblains or it’s symptoms may include:

• Gender: women are more likely to have Chilblains compared to men
• Underweight: If you weight 20% less than your normal BMI, you have an increased risk.
• Poor circulation: If you have less than normal blood flow, your body is more sensitive to changes in temperature, making you more likely to get Chilblains. e.g. smoking.
• Clothing: If you tend to wear tight clothes and shoes in cold and damp weather can increase your risk of Chilblains. Same goes for wearing clothing that exposes your skin to cold, damp weather conditions.
• Environment and Season: Chilblains are less likely to occur in areas where the weather is colder and drier as people in those areas are more likely to wear warmer clothing. There is more of a risk of Chilblains when living in a humid and colder (but not freezing) area. Chilblains are more commonly seen in colder months.
• Raynaud’s Disease: Increases the risk of Chilblains.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Lupus is the most common autoimmune condition to increase the risk of Chilblains.
• Occupation: Working in colder environments such as delivering freezable goods, having to enter freezer rooms and other similar professions tend to have an increased risk of Chilblains.

How do I treat Chilblains?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Chilblains. However, it usually clears up between one to three week’ time. This is also the case as the weather gets warmer. The best approach is to limit the exposure to the cold. Some things you can do to help ease and prevent the symptoms includes:

• Using certain lotions to ease the symptoms (please consult with your GP or Podiatrist before hand)
• Protecting yourself from the cold by wearing: a beanie, gloves and thermal socks (especially in the colder months)
• Limit your expose to cold weather or environments
• Cover all exposed skin as completely as possible when going out in cold weather
• Keep your skin, hands, feet and face dry and warm
• Keep your home and workplace warm
• Quit smoking

Chilblains do not usually cause permanent damage or injury. However, it can lead to infection, and if left untreated can cause damage.