4 May 2021
It is a condition caused by constant exposure to cold air that produces inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin, causing the appearance of reddish spots and blisters on the feet and hands, which cause pain, itching, and burning. In more extreme cases, it can cause an infection that must be treated promptly to avoid irreversible damage.
It is unknown what causes chilblains, but everything indicates that it is due to a reaction of the body to the cold with subsequent overheating that rapidly dilates the small skin blood vessels, causing a decrease in blood in the affected areas. There is a higher incidence in women.
Chilblains are also known as perniosis and, according to medical research, there are several conditions that favor their appearance, such as:
The characteristic symptoms are:
If you detect any of these symptoms, you must see your doctor to assess you and avoid serious complications.
Through a skin check and analysis of your medical history and your symptoms, your doctor can diagnose chilblains without the need for tests but may require additional tests, such as a skin biopsy, to make sure there are no other conditions in the dermis that can worsen the case. They may also perform tests to measure your circulatory capacity.
Treatment consists of keeping yourself warm by covering your hands and feet with gloves and socks to prevent their formation, as well as using lotions to help control symptoms.
If chilblains don’t heal with these measures, your doctor may prescribe drugs to dilate your blood vessels and improve your circulation, as well as topical corticosteroids to treat the lesions.
Chilblains usually go away on their own in one to three weeks. However, they tend to emerge again in cold weather, so you can help control their formation by following these recommendations:
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