Chilblains - now what do I do?

It's all very well understanding what causes chilblains and how to prevent them, but what do you do when you actually have a chilblain?

They will have started as red itchy patches caused by an abnormal reaction to a change in temperature, then they will have turned a dark blue which has become increasingly painful. Now you face the prospect of them drying out and an ulcer forming from infection.

Corns and calluses in the area will make the chilblain worse and so removal of these will help. Padding of the area to  deflect the pressure will ease the pain and these are  issues your podiatrist can assist with.

A cracked area that has become ulcerated certainly requires professional intervention. Your podiatrist will be able to help with this and any other foot problems you may encounter. If you suffer with a medical condition such as diabetes, you must visit your G.P.

Footcare Clinic, Macclesfield.

Chilblains - how do I stop them?

Prevention is better than Cure.  We all know this and, as the cold weather starts to descend, chilblains start to affect us.

Chilblains are caused by a rapid change in temperature, such as moving from the cold outside into a centrally heated room. Some people are more susceptible to chilblains than others and whereas it is uncertain why this is, those most likely to develop the condition include teenagers, the elderly and those with a sedentary lifestyle. Chilblains rarely cause any long lasting damage, but they are however very painful and, as they dry out, the skin may crack and leave the area susceptible to infection. 

There are precautions that can be taken to help prevent chilblains from occurring:

        ·         Take regular, if gentle, exercise.
·         Dry feet thoroughly after washing
·         Apply Body Essentials 'Warm Your Sole' which contains marjoram to soothe and calm and  ginger, to warm the area.

        ·         Wear natural fibres next to your skin
·         Wear good fitting footwear
·         Attempt to keep the whole body warm, not just extremities by wearing several layers
·         Avoid the temptation to 'hug' radiators.

       For further advice, visit the Footcare Clinic in Macclesfield.

Chilblains - what are they?

  If you have become aware of a small red itchy patch of skin on your toes after you have been exposed to the cold, it may be that you have a chilblain. If it is a chilblain, then moving into a warm environment will cause it to itch even more.   If you have had this for a little while and noticed that it has become increasingly painful and is turning blue, it is most probable that you have a chilblain. This chilblain may not only be on your toes, but your fingers, nose and/or earlobes.

Chilblains are an abnormal response of the blood vessels in the extremities, after exposure to cold temperatures. The vessels constrict as a reaction to the cold and when they are warmed they fail to expand to allow the blood to flow through.  The blood then leaks into the tissues, causing a chilblain.

Clearly, not everyone moving from cold to warm environments develop chilblains. Those who are most susceptible include the elderly, teenagers, those with a sedentary lifestyle and sufferers of certain medical conditions, such as anaemia.

Here at the Footcare Clinic in Macclesfield, we see many patients suffering with chilblains during the winter months. Among other treatments and advice available, we recommend Body Essentials 'Warm your Sole' prepared specifically to soothe skin traumatised by chilblains.

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