Chilblains
are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold (not freezing) air.
Exposure to the cold air can cause small blood vessels near the surface of your skin to tighten. Once you warm up, these small vessels may expand too quickly. This may cause blood to leak into nearby tissue, resulting in swelling. The swelling then irritates nerves in the affected area, causing pain.
Some risk factors include:
- clothing that’s too tight or leaves the skin exposed to cold, damp conditions
- living in a damp climate
- smoking
- being female
- weighing about 20 percent less or more than the healthy weight for your height
- having poor circulation
- having lupus
- having Raynaud’s
Treatment Recommendations:
- Gently apply Rectogesic Ointment to chilblains until resolved. (Available from pharmacies)
- Wrap chilblains in lambs wool to protect and keep warm (contact reception purchase)
- Once resolved apply Akileine Winter Cream daily to prevent and protect chilblain-prone areas of feet (contact our rooms to purchase, this is not available from pharmacies).
- Apply Akileine Cold Feet Cream every morning and evening massage into feet during cold weather to assist circulation (contact Reception to purchase)
- Wear IOMI Heat Holder socks to keep feet warm. These socks are 8X warmer than average socks (contact Reception to purchase)
- Massage and move your feet regularly to improve circulation.
- Avoid exposing feet to extremes of temperature suddenly,
- If the skin breaks open cover it with antiseptic dressing and contact your Dr for antibiotics.
- If symptoms persist, please contact me for further advice.