Chilblains

What are chilblains?

Chilblains are small, itchy patches that appear on your skin after you've been in the cold. They're like your skin's way of saying "that was too cold for me!" The good news is they usually get better on their own without any treatment.

What do chilblains look like?

Chilblains usually show up a few hours after you've been out in cold weather. You'll mostly see them on your fingers and toes, but they can also appear on your face and legs.

Your skin might:

• Feel itchy or like it's burning
• Look red, purple or swollen
• Feel uncomfortable or painful

If you have brown or black skin, the redness might be harder to spot, but you'll still feel the itching and discomfort.

Why do chilblains happen?

When you're in the cold, the tiny blood vessels in your fingers and toes get smaller to try and keep your body warm. This means less blood flows to these areas.

The problem happens when you warm up too quickly afterwards. Your blood vessels suddenly get bigger again and blood rushes back to your fingers and toes. This rushing blood can cause the pain, swelling and itchy feeling we call chilblains.

What can you do at home?

The best news about chilblains is that they usually clear up by themselves in 2 to 3 weeks. Here's how you can help them heal and stop new ones appearing:

Things that help:

• Stay inside when it's very cold or damp weather
• If you must go out, wrap up warm with waterproof clothes, gloves and thick socks
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief (always check the packet first - some painkillers aren't safe for everyone)

Things to avoid:

• Don't put your cold hands or feet straight on a radiator or under hot water - warm up gradually instead
• Don't smoke or drink too much caffeine (like coffee or energy drinks) as these can affect blood flow
• Don't scratch or pick at the chilblains, even though they're itchy

When to get help

See your pharmacist for:

• Advice on the best painkiller for you
• Creams that can soothe the itching
• General advice about whether you need to see your GP

Speak to your GP if:

• Your chilblains haven't improved after 2 to 3 weeks
• You notice pus coming from your skin
• You feel very unwell with a high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
• You keep getting chilblains regularly
• You have diabetes - foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

What will your GP do?

Your GP will examine your skin to confirm you have chilblains. Sometimes they might refer you to a specialist for more tests if they're not sure why you keep getting them. In rare cases, they might prescribe medicine to help clear them up.

Remember, chilblains are common and usually harmless. With proper care and patience, they should clear up on their own.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.