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Conditions

Chilblains

chilblains

Chilblains (otherwise knows as pernio) are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin, and can become painful and itchy. Untreated they can crack the skin, leading to infections. They are caused when an exposed body part, typically the feet or the hands, moves from an extremely cold environment to a hot one. The most common example of this is when a person with cold hands runs them under the hot tap – frequently leading to swelling and tingling in the hands, but also potentially to the formation of chilblains. The chilblain is caused by the blood vessels restricting blood flow during extreme cold, but being exposed to warmth that causes an unexpected expansion. The result is the leaking of fluid into surrounding tissues. Treatments range from simple anti-septic solutions (such as iodine) to prevent infection through to antibiotics for already infected ulcers.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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Hi.I am a 27 woman and I have the same problem.Honestly I do not have Chilblain,but I always feel cold even in temprature of 25-30 centigrade.The most area that I feel cold is my hands and fingers,toes nad my nose.This situation is really frustrating especially in Autumn , Winter and Spring.Sometimes it is embarrassing for example when I am in class and my classmate agree to open the window I disagree and they redicule me and say that it is summer time and you feel cold, like old peaple?!!!? It is embarrassing.! I know a tablet that is called (Hexopal)but I do not know is it suitable for me or not? Please help me,please please please,,,





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Well i can not say for sure if i have chiblains, as it has not been diagnosed but it does sound pretty similar to some of the symptoms i have read here. It first started about 4-5 yrs ago, during the winter i had severe and i mean severe swollen feet, my feet would turn really red, i am of African decent and not light skinned at all, so for my feet to be really red was just a sign of how bad it was, and the worst part was that it ITCHED!! so badly. Sometimes i would even resort to doing terrible things, thinking it would stop, the doctor at my GP did not know what it was at said it was athletes foot but it wasn't. Lately my feet does not itch as often (i usually took antihistamine to stop the itching) however i still have the swollen feet at times especially when i stand for more than 6 mins or so, it turns red and swells,even when i sit down for a while its swells and feels hot. Its very embarrassing, i do not wear slippers or open toed shoes during the summer because of this. I just want to get rid! of it or at least manage it.





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Hi i have such itchy toes and i could rub them raw at night through the day its not bad, and its only my left foot they have not cracked or dry, They look vry red and tad bit swollen but have been rubbing them for the past hour. Some 1 please help i just want to stop having itchy toes its driving me crazy...





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My daughter has had chilblains and no one could offer any help.One day when she came and showed me how her toes were swelling so they wouldn't touch the floor and painful I recalled my swollen dislocated finger tip and the pharmacist gave me some PILE cream. After I fell about laughing he said seriously it is anesthetic and will reduce swelling. So I tried this on the chilblains and we saw instant relief. We now use this everytime they appear and instead of 2 weeks of hell and tears they go almost instantly. If models can use it to reduce teh puffy eyes they have then surely it can't harm feet!





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Hi i am a 24 year old male , and my problem is that some of my toes are sore and they look inflamed/red with some dried blood behide the skin. I have been using cream for chilblains but it doesnt seem to be healing them. This problem has been going on since the start of the winter. Please advice Thanks





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I have a problem with my toes getting unbearably itchy and red. It's happening a lot at the minute, during the day and at night in bed or the shower. I moisturise my feet and body daily as i get very dry skin and I know this can can sometimes lead to itchyness. My toes are troubling me though, it itches right at the tips and around the nail bed which feels quite hot and red. It comes on very quickly and gets so that I can't resist rubbing them, often until it hurts. It then goes away again. I'm worried that it is an infection but it does not seem to be all the time.





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my names abbi, i am 15 and i have a serious thing.the rash i get comes when i am exposed to cold weather , not just when i come into heat, mainly when i am just out with my friends, it makes my social life drop, i never want to go out. i can feel it coming naw, it is a rash that looks and feels like i have been thrown into a stingy nettle bush, it is from head to toe. it is quite painful and it is realy itchy, i went to my doctor about it, they saud it wasnt chillblings, but they couldnt diaognose what it is, i am on a tablet called loratadine, i am supposed to take 1 a day, i take 3 because it gets so bad, i walk around my house with scarfs and gloves on, it has officialy ruined my life. can you diagnose me for it please, the one wish i could have , would be to get it sorted, i watch the show all the time, and nothing has been anything like it. write back x





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Looking at some of the symptoms its possible that people are suffering from eczema, as it gets worse in extremes of temperature. I have had it for 30 odd years but notice that its flares up with seasonal changes, also I was told by an occupational therapist that this was the case. It is a good idea also to make sure that you keep the skin moistured particularly if showering a lot after exercise, dry skin is also more itchy. I hope this helps





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I have developed really itchy feet on my soles and the base of my toes and around my toes it isn't athlete's foot. It happens when my feet get warm and I want to scratch them with anything to hand, I usually end up rubbing them up and down on the carpet. I am taking Topiramate tablets and wonder if they are a side-effect, I can't find anything and I don't want to worry my doctor about this as it seems such a waste of time - any thoughts?





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I have the same comdition just on the sole of my left foot!I'm not on any medication and have used athletes foot cream which just makes it worse!It's very frustrating I don't know what it is!

I have it too! It started two years ago on the soles of my feet. It is a tingly feeling, it seems, just inside my foot and I just have to scratch and rub my foot on the carpet or anything that is sharp and it drives me crazy! It was really bad at work, sitting at my desk for long periods of time. I thought at first the itching was caused by my nylon tights or that is was psychological. But the doctor said it could be some form of eczema. There is never any damage to the skin though, even after prolonged scratching.

Hi Guys Iv been reading some of these comments and iv noticed what alot of you have said i have experienced, and after many visits to different doctors they have eventually have given me a diagnoses!! Those of you who have said they have hands and/or feet that are usually cold and go red/blue and feel numbness or patchy and likewise swelling when they are hot, may have Raynauds Disease/Phenomenon. Raynauds is basically irregular circulation. If you think you may have this google it,look at some pictures and the info on it and if it looks familiar go to your GP and explain to them that you think you may have Raynauds. Raynauds can not be cured as such but can be treated quite easily with tablets. I have been given tablets and i am gald to say that it is now under control, taking 1 a day. In fact, after taking them just 3 months i have noticed a significant change and have not had to take 1 for about 2 months and experienced no coldness/numbness/swelling/red or blueness! I have had this problem for as long as i could remember and it took years to be diagnosed so i know how you feel.





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hi, Have just watched embarrassing bodies and decide to have check it out. came accross your comment. How bad was yours and do you smoke? what age did it start at? sorry for asking all these Q's but my son has it and refuses to do anything about it. It has become more severe this past 2yrs. He is now 20 yrs old. What tablets did you take.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Chilblains are small, itchy swellings on the skin that occur as a reaction to cold temperatures. They affect the body's extremities, such as the toes, fingers, heels, ears and nose. Chilblains are uncomfortable but can be prevented. Read More »

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