All you know about : Chilblains(perniosis)

 

Chilblains pronounced as (CHILL-blayns), is a condition which causes inflamed swollen small patches and blisters on both the hands and feet. The cause of Chilblains is exposure in damp air that is cold but not freezing condition. Symptoms of this disease usually showed up after a few hours being in the cold.

It can be prevented by reducing your time you spend in the cold, dressing warmly and always trying to cover your exposed skin. Still you do get Chilblains, keeping your skin warm and dry will help ease the symptoms.

Chilblains disease otherwise called as perniosis which usually clears up within 2 to 3 weeks, particularly if the weather gets warmer. You will get the symptoms each cold season for every year.

These Chilblains conditions does not usually impact in permanent injury

Chilblains symptoms

Below are the some signs and symptoms of chilblains:

• chilblains disease looks like a very small itchy and red marks on areas of the skin and in some other cases, chilblain may blister your skin which leads to delay the healing process and it also leads to small ulcer which is prone to infection

• Other possible secondary infection in finger skin inflammation

• the chilblain will become as ulcerated chilblains which increases the pain and it will appear as dark blue colour.

• Feeling burning sensation on the skin of both hands and feet

• It swallow the toe by skin inflammation of chilblains - and also other the affected area will be swollen

Who gets chilblains?

Any people can get chilblains, but females and people with low BMI have a higher risk of getting them. And you also likely to have chilblains if you:

• are live in a damp air or very cold climate, not freezing.

• are Smoking tobacco products.

• If you are wearing tight-fitting shoes, gloves or mittens or clothing in cold, damp weather not a freezing temperature.

• And most importantly, babies can get chilblains if they are not dressed properly and you should cover your baby’s face in damp or cold climate

Causes

When you are in cold condition, your blood vessels narrow. When you return to the warm weather, your blood vessels will expand again, For some people, this change causes blood leaking out of the blood vessels which causes inflammation and severe symptoms especially if the changes from cold weather to warmth weather which is abrupt.

Below groups of people are more likely to get chilblains when they exposed to cold:

• People those who are having close family members who have/had chilblains

• And patients with circulatory problems

• People with lupus

• people who have homes with draughty and cold (not well insulated)

• People who are smoking tobacco

• most women are affected than men

• Low BMI people

• people who are having Raynaud’s disease

Your chance of getting chilblains  increases if you have diseases like:

• Disorder of bone marrow, like chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

• Lupus erythematosus.

• Raynaud’s phenomenon.

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Risk factors

Below factors increases the risk of getting chilblains:

• Wearing clothes and shoes which are tight and expose your skin to the cold. And if you are wearing tight fitting clothes and shoes in cold, damp air will more like to get chilblains

• More chances especially for young women. This condition is most common in the ages of women between 15 and 30

• People with low Body mass index. This condition is most common in people who are underweight.

• People who are living in cold, humid areas.  And your chance of getting chilblains will increase the risk of chilblains if you live in an area with severe cold and humidity but not freezing weather.

• People with certain medical issues. These medical conditions include Raynaud's phenomenon, connective tissue disease and SARS-CoV-2.

Complications

Chilblains will lead to other problems like:

• infections

• skin ulcers

• scarring

Complications are usually linked to an undergoing condition or illness.

In some cases, it can be a permanent discoloration of the chilblains affected area. Most of the complications will develop by scratching or rubbing the skin of the affected area.

How are chilblains diagnosed?

 

Mostly your healthcare provider will diagnose chilblains by looking at your skin. They can also suggest you blood tests or skin biopsy. These tests will help you to determine if you have a condition which increases the risk of chilblains or if they have conditions that mimic chilblains.

How are chilblains treated?

Most chilblains can go away on their own as long as you avoid the cold or damp weather conditions, not freezing temperatures. After two or three weeks, if you still have the symptoms of chilblain, you should see a healthcare provider for treatment.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe some medications. These medicines will soothe your pain or itching.  Some medication suggested by your doctor's will lower your chances of chilblains that come back. You may take medications like:

• Oral medications (which is  by mouth): it includes medications such as nifedipine which will help you to dilate your blood vessels or pentoxifylline which improves your blood circulation.

• Topical medications (which is applied to your skin): it includes medications like nitroglycerinor topical steroids medicines like betamethasone valerate.

Treating chilblains at home

In home, Some recommendations for treating chilblains which includes:

• Try to resist your hands from scratching, which will further damage the skin.

• To soothe the itching, you can massage with calamine lotion or witch hazel lotion into the skin. Your doctor will suggest a suitable product.

•  To retain body heat, applying lanolin or similar, rubbed into the feet

• Try to keep your feet dry by wearing woollen or cotton socks.

• You should keep your whole body warm.

• Doing gentle exercise will help to improve blood circulation to your feet.

Prevention

To prevent chilblains follow below tips:

• When it is cold, you should dress appropriately - includes warm footwear and gloves and socks, a hat and scarf

• Increase circulation - keeping you active will improve the blood circulation

• Avoid exposure - people who are faced chilblains previously, should try to avoid exposure to cold weather 

• Prepare in advance - before going to cold areas, warm your shoes and socks using radiator

• Promote good circulation - try to avoid tight fitting shoes which restrict blood vessels

• Keep sudden temperature change of your body to a minimum- while you come back to the warmth area, try to avoid sudden exposure to warm weather.

• Keep in shape - do exercise regularly at least 4 times in a week which helps to maintain proper blood circulation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you get rid of chilblains?

Ans: Chilblains usually go away on their own in 2 to 3 weeks.

Q2. What does a chilblain look like?

Ans: Chilblains are small red itchy patches that can appear on toes and fingers after you've been in the cold, particularly in winter. 

Q3. Can chilblains be cured permanently?

Ans: Chilblains can be uncomfortable, but rarely cause any permanent damage. They normally heal within a few weeks if further exposure to the cold is avoided.

Q4. Is hot water good for chilblains?

Ans: Warm water with salt is one of the best home remedies for completely healing chilblains.

Q5. Is the sun good for chilblains?

Ans: They can be sometimes aggravated by sun exposure, because rewarming results in leakage of blood into the tissues and swelling of the skin.