What are Chilblains?
Chilblains, also called pernio, are red to purple bumps that appear on the skin of extremities, usually the hands and feet, after exposure to cold. They are more common among women, children, and the elderly and are the result of constriction of the blood vessels that supply the extremities. One might think that chilblains occur under the same conditions as frostbite, which is around 5 degrees F (-15 C). In reality, the damage from chilblains is not permanent and can occur in warmer weather. Keeping the extremities warm by wearing mittens and warm footwear tends to prevent the condition. Chilblains are actually not that common in extremely cold weather because people tend to be prepared to deal with the cold with warm clothing. Areas that have occasional bouts of cold weather usually have higher incidences of chilblains. Also, areas where people cannot afford warm clothing have a higher prevalence of the condition. There are a few factors, which make one more predisposed to getting chi
Chilblains are so common in some countries that the textbooks hardly mention them; they are also so rare in other countries that the textbooks hardly mention them! They are a painful reaction of blood vessels when exposed to cooler temperatures and usually occur in the toes and fingers (and sometimes the nose and ears). They can be very annoying and painful. Cold causes a closing of the blood vessels in the superficial skin and if rewarming of the skin happens too quickly, there is leakage of blood into the tissues as the vessels do not respond rapidly enough to this rewarming. Chilblains are not very common in countries where the cold is more extreme as the air is drier (hence why is is so rare in some countries and so common in others). Chilblains look like itchy small red areas on the skin. After the initial acute stage, they take on a darker blue appearance. They may also be swollen and cause cracks as they dry out. Preventing of chilblains: The easiest way to prevent chilblains is
Chilblains are also referred to as pernio or perniosis. They are small, itchy, painful swellings that generally appear on the skin after several hours of exposure to cold temperatures. Thus, they tend to develop during the winter months. They are more likely to occur on the extremities such as the toes, fingers, nose and earlobes, which are the first areas to become cold. Other areas of the skin such as the heels, thighs and lower legs can also be affected in extreme temperatures.
