Symptoms

Itching
Skin color changes
Swelling
Small, itchy red areas on skin, often on hands and feet
Blisters and skin ulcers
Swelling of skin
Burning sensation on skin

What To Expect

You can recognize chilblains as doughy, painful, itchy or burning inflamed skin areas. They can be swollen and have blisters or red to blue-violet spots. Prominent areas can indicate an inflammation.

Made Worse By

The best protection against chilblains is warm clothing. Headgear is especially important, as the body radiates a large part of its heat through the head. Chilblains on the feet or hands can be promoted by wearing tight shoes or gloves. Constricting bracelets, stocking cuffs, etc. also inhibit blood flow to the extremities. In general, exercise keeps the blood circulation going. Abstaining from nicotine can also reduce the risk of chilblains. Alcohol should also be avoided when staying in the cold, as its vasodilatory effect causes valuable body heat to be lost more quickly.

Diagnosed By

Chilblains can develop wounds and should be treated immediately by a doctor. If cold-related swellings occur repeatedly, a visit to a doctor is also advisable, as the tissue can be damaged. The administration of vasodilatory drugs or blood circulation-promoting ointments can be useful in the case of chilblains.