Chilblains

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Chilblains -- also known as pernio, chill burns and perniosis -- is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. It is often confused with frostbite and trench foot. Damage to capillary beds in the skin causes redness, itching, inflammation, and sometimes blisters. Chilblains can be reduced by keeping the feet and hands warm in cold weather, and avoiding extreme temperature changes. Chilblains can be idiopathic (spontaneous and unrelated to another disease), but may also be a manifestation of another serious medical condition that must be investigated. A history of chilblains suggests a connective tissue disease (such as lupus). In infants, chilblains together with severe neurologic disease and unexplained fevers occurs in Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, a rare inherited condition.

Video Chilblains

Signs and symptoms

The areas most affected are the toes, fingers, earlobes, nose.

• Blistering of affected area
• Burning and itching sensation in extremities
• Dermatitis in extremities
• Digital ulceration (severe cases only)
• Erythema (blanchable redness of the skin)
• Pain in affected area
• Skin discoloration, red to dark blue

Chilblains usually heal within 7-14 days.

Maps Chilblains

Prevention

Exposure

• Avoid rapid changes in temperature (including from cold to hot).
• Wear warm shoes, socks and gloves.
• Wear a hat and a scarf to protect the ears and the nose.
• Avoid tight fitting socks/shoes.

Other

• Healthy diet, low in inflammatory foods
• Exercise at least four times a week to improve circulation

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Treatment

• A course of vitamin B, especially nicotinic acid, helps improve circulation and may completely treat the chilblains.
• Soaking in warm water with Epsom salts for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
• Keep affected area warm, and avoid any extreme temperature changes (including very hot water).
• Keep affected area dry.
• Use a topical steroid cream to relieve itch.
• Nifedipine, a vasodilator may help in more severe or recurrent cases. Vasodilation helps reduce pain, facilitate healing and prevent recurrences. It is typically available in an oral pill but can be compounded into a topical formula.
• Diltiazem, a vasodilator, may also help.
• Apply a mixture of friar's balsam and a weak iodine solution.
• Avoid restricting the affected area.

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History

The medieval Bald's Leechbook recommended treating chilblains with a mix of eggs, wine, and fennel root.

A common tradition of Hispanic America recommends warm garlic on the chilblains.

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See also

• Equestrian perniosis
• Erythrocyanosis crurum

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References

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External links

• DermAtlas 1683395337

• Cold stress, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
•  "Chilblains". Encyclopædia Britannica. 6 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 134. 

Source of the article : Wikipedia