How to help your chilblains
In this blog we cover how to help your chilblains – what are the causes, and how to manage prevention.
Chilblains are a form of vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) that show on the skin as small red, itchy swellings with a bruise-like appearance.
Chilblains are often found on the tips of fingers and toes. The swellings can become cracked and open causing pain and discomfort and sometimes bleeding.
Often they resolve on their own after 1-2 weeks, for some people they reoccur throughout the winter but for others who are very unfortunate they can stick around from October to March.
What causes Chilblains?
When the skin is exposed to extreme changes in temperature the capillaries (small blood vessels) become damaged and inflamed causing blood to leak out into the surrounding tissues. This results in red itchy swollen markings on the skin which are chilblains.
This means anyone can develop chilblains if they expose their skin to sudden dramatic changes in temperature. However, there are some groups of people who are more at risk and should take extra care when exposed to the cold.
SO there are plenty of things you can do at home to manage and prevent your chilblains.
Here are some handy tips to keep them at bay this winter.
1. Warm your feet gradually and as naturally as possible. This means avoiding placing your feet onto direct heat sources when they are cold such as hot baths, radiators, fires or hot water bottles. In winter our body’s priority is to keep the core of our body warm which results in less blood flow to our hands and feet.
Instead of placing a hot water bottle directly on your feet, place it on your stomach or back. This will heat up your core and allow more blood flow to travel to the extremities (hands and feet).
2. Wearing natural fibre socks like bamboo, cotton or wool. These types of materials are good at insulating temperatures, therefore, keeping your feet nice and warm.
3. Wearing 2 pairs of natural fibre socks. Doing this helps trap warm air between the pairs to keep heat in.
4. Lamb’s wool can be used to wrap around the toes loosely before putting socks on to keep the toes warm.
5. Warm up the shoes by placing them in the airing cupboard or placing them on top of a radiator before putting them on
6. Avoid alcohol and caffeine in your diet. These substances affect the opening and closing of the blood vessels that in turn affects how much blood is getting to an area of the body.
7. Participating in regular exercise helps to improve blood circulation. Not only is exercise great for overall physical and mental health but increasing blood flow helps to reduce the chances of developing chilblains.
8. Stop smoking. Smoking causes fatty plaques to build up within the blood vessels which causes them to narrow, resulting in less blood flow to the extremities.
Top cream to prevent Chilblains – the best treatment!
Preventing chilblains, the best you can is always advised but if you have tried all the prevention tools above and unfortunately still suffering, here are a couple things you can try at home.
Akilhiver dermo adjuvant cream- Is a cream that can be applied to your hands, feet, ears nose, face to prevent chilblains or frostbite. This cream helps soothe the feeling of numbness caused by the cold. It contains Ginkgo biloba that helps improve circulation
Most chilblains resolve on their own after 1-2 weeks but if you are still experiencing pain or discomfort after this time then please contact us for an appointment.
So there you have it- all things chilblains, for more extra.
If you have any problems and are suffering pain with your chilblains get yourself booked in for an assessment and we will be able to offer you further help.