Latest Forum Entries

• Spores in faces
  
• skin care
  
• perms
  

Latest Blog Entries

• Cosmetic Dentistry
  
• Hot Wax Hair Removal Techniques
  
• Tanning Tips For Your Skin
  

Chilblains: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Also known as pernio or perniosis, a chilblain is an abnormal skin reaction to cold or damp weather in humid climates.

What Do Chilblains Look Like?

It is painful swelling that also has red, burning and itching feelings that are intensified when coming in from the cold. The skin may also break down over the swelling which may become infected if an antibiotic isn't used to treat it. The toes, fingers, nose and ears are most common areas for appearance.

Causes of Chilblains

The biggest contributor of chilblains is exposure to cold, damp, nonfreezing weather. The blood vessels constrict when they become cold and when they are warmed too quickly the vessels can't react quickly enough so that blood leaks into the skin which causes the chilblains to form. Although damp cold weather is related to the condition it isn't the reason for the condition. The warming of the skin too quickly is what causes chilblains rather than the cold.

Any place where blood circulation is restricted is also at risk of developing chilblains including pressure points on the feet such as bunions and calluses or where the toes are under pressure from tight shoes. Another contributing factor to chilblains can also be damp living conditions.

Who Is At Risk?

Those at greatest risk is mainly young adult women. It is unknown why this is the case, but it is thought to be hormonal changes that place these women at greater risk. Those who don't wear socks outside during winter are also clearly at risk. Chilblains can also be developed by anyone who isn't properly clothed for the weather conditions.

Those with poor circulation and the elderly are at risk. Since smoking slows the blood circulation, smokers are at risk as well as diabetics. Some people can have chilblains occur every year for the rest of their lives while others may only get them for a few years and then never experience them again. It is unknown why this occurs.

Prevention of Chilblains

It is important not to let your skin get cold, you should wear thick wool socks that keep air around your feet so they are kept naturally warm. To keep your feet dry you should wear rubber boots. To keep the moist cold air away from your face you should wrap a wool or tight knitted scarf around your face.

Avoid using direct heat to warm your feet if they do get cold such as a fireplace, electric heating blanket, a hot bath or shower. These methods have been know to lead to chilblains. You should also avoid smoking since this affects the circulation of small blood vessels that feed into your skin. Before going outside exercise vigorously. Before going out soak your hands in warm water to warm them thoroughly and then dry them completely before leaving the house.

Treatment for Chilblains

Treatment typically don't work well for chilblains. The best you can do is visit your doctor and keep the infected area warm to help increase the blood flow to the infected area. It is also a good idea to stop smoking if you smoke.

A doctor can prescribe a topical steroid cream to stop the itching and swelling. Always remember to warm slowly with blankets and warm clothing rather than applying direct heat. Within seven to fourteen days symptoms may clear on their own.

Bookmark This Page: Send Page to a Friend

VISITOR COMMENTS on "Chilblains: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment":

Read our Beauty Tips Blog

	More Articles
1. Face Mask: Masks Suited To Your Skin Face Mask: Masks Suited to Your Skin Face masks have been used as part of beauty treatment since ancient times.During face-lifts, the surgeon gives you a younger face, but it [...]
2. Natural HGH Natural HGH When we grow older, our physical constitution worsens that influence our lifestyle. Due to growing age one very [...]
3. Religious Tattoos Religious Tattoos Many people have their special connection with God and they usually express it through different religions which in time have set special rules [...]
4. Plastic Surgery Hawaii Is An Influence Plastic Surgery Hawaii Is An Influence There are many reasons that you might think about getting plastic surgery. Today, every one has consciousness about [...]

Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic Keratosis
Aphthous Ulcers
Athlete's Foot
Atopic Dermatitis
Barnacles of Aging
Blue Nevi
Bowens Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid
Chilblains
Cholinergic Urticaria
Condylomata Acuminata
Congenital Nevi
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatofibroma
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dysplastic Nevi
Erythema Migrans
Erythema Multiforme
Essential Vulvodynia
Exfoliative Dermatitis
Flexural Psoriasis
Fordyce’s Condition
Freckle Removal
Treatment For Genital Wart
Granuloma Annulare
Guttate Psoriasis
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hyperhidrosis
Impetigo
Intertrigo
Keloid
Keratoacanthomas
Keratosis Pilaris
Lentigenes
Leucoderma
Lichen Planus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Striatus
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Information
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Miliaria
Molluscum Contagiosum
Morton’s Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Mycosis Fungoides
Myxoid Cysts
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Disbeticorum
Onychomycosis
Orbital Cellulitis
Pagets Disease
Perioral Dermatitis
Periorbital Cellulitis
Pityriasis Alba
Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica
Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Pompholyx
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Pruritis
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Pustular Psoriasis
Schamberg’s Disease
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Keratoses
Sunburn
Symptoms Vulvodynia
Tinea Capitis
Tinea Corporis
Tinea Versicolor
Urticaria Pigmentosa
Variola
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia Treatments
Vulvodynia
Xerosis

Visitors' Blog