image by: Caribb

HWN Suggests

Chilblains: The Cold Weather Red Toes

As anyone who has ever made the mistake of walking outside without shoes on a cold winter day well knows — cold toes are no fun. However, for some people, the cold can be far more than just a little uncomfortable for their toes and feet.

Chilblains (sometimes called “pernio” or “perniosis”) are an unpleasant reaction of the toes (and sometimes, fingers, tips of ears, or cheeks) to sudden exposure to cold temperatures. This phenomenon is characterized by uncomfortable swelling, red and blue discoloration, puffiness, and often aching or itching in the affected area.

read full article

Articles of Interest

Are Chilblains the bane of your existence?

Anyone can suffer from chilblains, however the people most at risk of chilblains are the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions, smokers, people who are underweight, and those with a sedentary lifestyle. Women are also more prone to the problem than men.

Chilblains (Pernio)

Chilblains are less common in countries where the cold is more extreme because the air is drier and people have specially designed living conditions and clothing.

Chilblains in COVID-19 Infection

Dermatologic manifestations such as chilblain-like lesions have been recently described, but it is unclear if they are truly secondary to the infection or not.

Chilblains symptoms, treatments and how to best manage them

People often think that the more socks and tights they wear the warmer the feet will be. This is not really the case as it restricts the circulation and increases the chilling of the feet. Remember it is often the quality of the hosiery and the footwear and not necessarily the quantity, which is important. Silver fibre socks are recommended.

Chilblains – Winter Woes for Your Toes

When the skin is cold, blood vessels constrict and when the skin is exposed to heat, blood vessels dilate and become wider. If this constriction and dilation of blood vessels occurs too quickly, the vessels can become damaged and fluid can leak into the surrounding tissue causing inflammation, which is known as a chilblain.

Chilblains: Everything You Need to Know About These Itchy Spots of Inflammation

Chilblains most commonly impact women more so than men, but those who are overly sensitive to weather changes and temperature can also develop chilblains. Those who have medical conditions such as anemia or Raynaud’s, are at greater risk of developing them. As well as, those who are sedentary, elderly, or those with poor circulation.

Get the chill out of those toes...

Chilblains, also called Pernio, is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs as an abnormal circulatory response on exposure to cold weather. 1 in 10 people in the UK suffer from it. Anyone can get Chilblains, but it is seen mostly in the very young and elderly, usually women.

Perniosis

Perniosis is a seasonal inflammatory disorder that is triggered by prolonged exposure to cold and damp (humid) conditions. It usually occurs when the weather is cold and the humidity is high, especially during late fall and winter. It is a form of inflammation of the small blood vessels (vasculitis) that is characterized by painful, itchy, tender, skin injuries (lesions) on the lower legs, hands, toes, feet, ears and face.

Stop Chilblains - Keep Your Feet Warm

Chilblains are incredibly painful for something so small – they mostly occur on your toes but they can also affect other parts of your feet as well as fingers and hands.

Resources

DermNet

Chilblains are tender and/or itchy bumps on acral sites following exposure to damp, cold, non-freezing conditions causing a localised form of vasculitis. Chilblains are also called pernio or perniosis.