Can you feel a chill in the air? Just as the temperatures drop, this is the time that we may be prone to developing chilblains.

I hope this information helps you understand what childblains are, why we get chilblains, what can we do to prevent them and what to do to help if they do develop.

This is general information and should not replace the advice of a podiatrist should you have a problem and require professional advice.

What are Chilblains?

Chilblains affect the toes but can also affect the fingers, ears and nose. They appear on the skin as small, itchy swellings which occur as a reaction to cold temperatures.

They can be uncomfortable but rarely cause any permanent damage. They will normally heal within a couple of weeks if further exposure to the cold is avoided.

What causes Chilblains?

The majoroty of sufferers develop Chilblains in the winter due to low temperatures which cause a restriction of a small branch of artery leading to the capillaries which supply blood to the skin. When the skin is warmed quickly, this can lead to blistering, redness and itchy lesions.

What will happen if left untreated?

Chilblains usually don’t require any treatment as the symptoms often get better on their own after a week or two.

Occassionally chilblains can reoccur or become severe with a small chance that an infection can develop from the blistered or scratched skin which could lead to permanent scarring. In very severe cases, painful ulcers may develop on the skin.

What can I do to prevent Chilblains?

If you suffer from chilblains, you can reduce your risk of developing them by limiting exposure to the cold. If your feet do get cold, it is important to warm them up gradually as heating them too quickly is one of the main causes of chilblains. Avoid extremes of temperature.

Taking care of your feet by regularly moisturising them to stop the skin splitting is a great prevention tool, as is warming your shoes on the radiator before you put them on and keeping your feet dry.

You can insert heating reflecting insoles into your shoes and wear thermal socks which all help to retain heat in your feet.

What are the treatment options?

If the skin is itchy, a soothing lotion such as witch hazel or calamine lotion can help. Most importantly, keep the toes warm and dry as much as possible. Occassionally, the skin can break and if it does, apply a dressing to keep infection at bay. A combination of a healthy diet and exercise can also help reduce the occurance of chilblains.

If you have an infection, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Your Podiatrist will be able to assess and provide treatment and antibiotics if required. At Reid Podiatry, we also stock Carnation Silver Socks, ideal for retaining heat in feet prone to childblains.

KEEP YOUR FEET HEALTHY – KEEP YOUR FEET HAPPY