With the arrival of the cold, many people suffer changes in their skin, favoring the appearance of wounds and chilblains. Beyond having a dry skin type or being prone to irregularities in the dermis, this problem goes further. Find out why these marks appear on your hands every winter, and how you can treat them
What are chilblains?
They are small lesions caused by inflammation of the small blood vessels after exposure to cold air. The truth is that they are usually painful and tend to affect the skin of the hands and feet. Other names for this condition include pernio, perniosis, and cold-induced vascular disorder .
Chilbladder symptoms
Chilblains are patches of skin (usually in areas where it stretches and shrinks, such as the knuckles) that appear swollen and red or occasionally blue. Because of the inflammation, they can look shiny. Other symptoms can be:
- Burning sensation
- Blisters
- Itch
Usually this skin injury gets better on its own. See your doctor to check for complications if the pain is severe, if you suspect you may have an infection, or if your symptoms do not improve after 1 to 2 weeks.
Causes of having chilblains on your hands
Cold weather can cause small blood vessels near the skin's surface to tighten up more than they should. Once you get warm, these little glasses can expand too quickly. So it can cause blood to leak into nearby tissues, resulting in swelling.
This inflammation is what irritates the nerves in the affected area and causes pain.
Doctors aren't sure why this happens, but it may be related to an unusual reaction to cold exposure and overheating.
Are there risk factors?
Although the exact cause of chilblains is not clear, there are some things that could increase your risk of developing them.
Some risk factors for chilblains include:
- Clothing that is too tight or leaving the skin exposed to cold and damp conditions
- Living in a humid climate
- Smoke
- To be a woman
- Weigh 20 percent less or more than the healthy weight for your height
- Have poor circulation
- Lupus
- Having Raynaud's phenomenon, which can cause its own types of sores
Diagnosis of chilblains
Your doctor can diagnose chilblains on a basic physical exam. You can also ask a few questions about any recent exposure to unusually cold or humid weather.
You will rarely have a biopsy of the affected area. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and looking at it under a microscope for signs of an underlying condition, such as skin cancer.
If you've had chilblains before, you'll probably recognize them for yourself. However, if you've never had them before, it's best to check with your doctor to make sure it's not something else, such as cold urticaria or vasculitis.
If this is a new experience for you, your doctor may want to rule out any potentially related conditions, such as lupus or a circulation problem, that require treatment.
Is there treatment?
Chilblains usually go away on their own in one to three weeks. In many cases, the symptoms lessen as you warm up. If you have ongoing itching, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream to reduce inflammation. If you have poor circulation or diabetes, your chilblains may not heal well.
In some cases, the doctor may also prescribe blood pressure medications to help open the small vessels near the surface of the skin. This will also help reduce inflammation and pain.
You may be able to prevent chilblains by protecting your hands and feet from exposure to the cold.
You should always see a doctor if your symptoms last longer than three weeks, if the pain is severe, or if it doesn't seem to be getting better.
Home remedies for chilblains
Although it's best to let chilblains run their course, there are a few things you can do at home to ease your symptoms. As soon as you notice the first symptoms, try to slowly warm the affected area by placing it under a blanket. Avoid applying direct heat because heating the area too quickly can make symptoms worse.
Also, avoid massaging or rubbing the area. Although this may seem like a good way to slowly warm the area, it can increase irritation and inflammation. As chilblains cured, smooth lotion appli ca unscented in the area to keep the skin hydrated. This is especially important if your chilblains have blisters. Keeping the skin clean and hydrated will reduce the risk of developing an infection.
