What should I do if I get chilblains?

Dec 29, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wan

Introduction

After chilblains occur, if symptoms are not severe, prepare warm salt water and soak the hands for over 10 minutes. After soaking, apply 10 drops of water and continue this treatment for one week for good results. Dietary management is also important after developing chilblains. Drinking an appropriate amount of ginger brown sugar tea or drinking more water can accelerate peripheral circulation and improve blood flow.

When the weather is cold, poor blood circulation in certain parts of the body can lead to chilblains, which cause severe itching and may even result in redness, swelling, and ulceration. Chilblains are directly related to exposure to cold temperatures. However, patients need not be overly concerned, as chilblains are a relatively common condition in clinical practice. So, what should you do if you develop chilblains?

What to Do When You Have Chilblains

1. If symptoms are mild after chilblains occur, prepare warm salt water and soak the affected area (such as hands) for over 10 minutes. After soaking, apply 10 drops of water (or appropriate topical solution), and continue this treatment for one week for good results. 2. Dietary management is also important once chilblains develop. Drinking ginger brown sugar tea or warm water appropriately can accelerate peripheral and overall blood circulation. When ulcers appear, avoid scratching with your hands to prevent worsening the condition, and ensure proper disinfection and cleaning. 3. After chilblains develop, certain medications can be applied topically. For example, 10% camphor ointment can be used, along with nicotinic acid ointment applied locally. In cases of erosion or blisters, applying zinc oxide ointment can provide effective treatment. 4. If ulcers develop due to chilblains and infection occurs, soaking the affected area locally with potassium permanganate solution can effectively clean the ulcer site and remove mucus. Afterwards, apply fusidic acid cream or erythromycin ointment to help inhibit bacterial infection and achieve favorable therapeutic outcomes.

Once chilblains appear, it's important to address them properly using correct methods. To prevent the condition from worsening, take preventive measures against chilblains in daily life—this way, the likelihood of developing them will remain low.

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Can't sleep due to itchy chilblains

Chilblains are characterized by significant itching during flare-ups, which worsens with exposure to heat. Patients often have difficulty sleeping due to the intense itchiness. Chilblains commonly occur in early winter and early spring, particularly affecting children, women, and individuals with poor peripheral circulation. Typical lesions are localized, edematous, erythematous plaques with a dusky purplish-red appearance due to congestion. The borders are indistinct, often surrounded by bright red margins. The surface appears taut, shiny, soft, and pliable.

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Are you more likely to develop chilblains when the weather is colder?

The colder the weather, the more likely one is to develop chilblains. Chilblains mainly occur when cold temperatures irritate and damage the skin. Generally, the colder the weather, the more prone a person is to developing chilblains, and the more severe they become. When the environment is extremely cold and the skin lacks proper warmth, poor blood circulation combined with exposure to cold air can lead to skin damage.

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Why do hands that have had chilblains become very swollen?

In general, hands that have previously suffered from chilblains may become swollen due to factors such as local tissue damage, insufficient blood and qi, reduced subcutaneous fat, localized inflammation, or tissue hyperplasia. In addition, tissue edema and poor venous return can also cause swelling in hands affected by chilblains. It is recommended to ensure adequate rest, improve nutrition, engage in moderate outdoor activities, and strengthen overall physical health.