How to Get Rid of Chilblains
Stay warm., Don't scratch the chilblains., Avoid direct heat., Wash your feet at least two to three times a week., Use a good chilblain ointment., Exercise to improve your circulation., Change your shoes., Avoid smoking and being around people who...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Stay warm.
Try to avoid being cold by:
Wearing thick socks and gloves.
If you have chilblains on your ears, wear beanies or soft earmuffs but it is important that the earmuffs are regularly cleaned.
Wear thick clothing to ensure that you're warm.
Have a hot beverage (i.e a cup of tea; hot chocolate; coffee etc.).
Use either a thick mug or wrap a hand towel around the cup to avoid the heat from the drink. -
Step 2: Don't scratch the chilblains.
The chilblains may crack open and get infected.
The pain will be worse if you do scratch them.
If you can't stop scratching them, use calamine lotion or witch hazel to soothe the itching.
They can usually be found at your local pharmacy. , Don't place your chilblain affected areas directly over heaters; hot water bottles; kettles etc.
Cover your hot water bottles in thick towels.
If you have an electric blanket, keep the heat on low. , Keeping your feet clean will help prevent your chilblains becoming infected and getting worse.
Soak your feet and hands with warm water for 15 to 20 minutes as much as possible.
Very hot water must be avoided. , You can find them at your local pharmacist.
Apply the ointment to the affected area two to three times a day.
The ointment will partly relieve the scratching and can help the healing process.
Always read the package instructions. , Sometimes chilblains are formed when the circulation isn't very good.
Do some moderate exercises that help your circulation flow (e.g. yoga; light jogging; stretches etc.). , Are your shoes too tight? Test to see by touching around the shoe while your foot is inside.
If you can feel your foot easily, the shoe is too tight.
Consider buying some new shoes or using another pair.
If the shoes are sneakers, try loosening the shoelaces. , Stay away from people you see light up a cigarette or cover your nose and mouth.
Even if you don't smoke, inhaling smoke from others is known as second-hand smoke so you are affected just as much.
Smoking delays the healing of chilblains and can make them worse.
People who smoke are more at risk of getting chilblains.
Pollution can also affect the healing process of chilblains, try staying away from the city central area in your town. , Stay inside a warm building instead of going outside but make sure that the building you are in is not hot.
Quickly overheating can make chilblains worse.
If the building is hot, go outside and put on some warm clothing.
Enter the building again and take off the warm clothing.
This is so that you can gradually warm up instead of warming up very quickly.
Warming up quickly can make the chilblains worse. , Chilblains usually don't go away until 7 to 14 days later.
Sometimes, chilblains may not go away until warmer weather arrives.
Don't panic unless you see the chilblains get worse.
Look out for:
Skin peeling off the chilblains.
You may be seeing your skin turning white and your skin may always be very damp.
Chilblains changing colour.
Blue, purple or black chilblains are something you must watch out for. , It could be a serious problem so ask your doctor if you could have a blood test to detect any problems.
You can also ask your doctor if the medication you are currently on is affecting the chilblains.
Your doctor may prescribe you some medication to take.
Your doctor may recommend to take nifedipine.
This drug helps relax the blood vessels which improves circulation.
However, your doctor may only prescribe it to you if the chilblains are a severe problem to you.
Chilblains are a symptom of the Raynaud's phenomenon, so if you do have Raynaud's phenomenon, see a doctor immediately. -
Step 3: Avoid direct heat.
-
Step 4: Wash your feet at least two to three times a week.
-
Step 5: Use a good chilblain ointment.
-
Step 6: Exercise to improve your circulation.
-
Step 7: Change your shoes.
-
Step 8: Avoid smoking and being around people who smoke.
-
Step 9: Avoid being in cold areas.
-
Step 10: See a doctor if you still have severe chilblains after 14 days.
Detailed Guide
Try to avoid being cold by:
Wearing thick socks and gloves.
If you have chilblains on your ears, wear beanies or soft earmuffs but it is important that the earmuffs are regularly cleaned.
Wear thick clothing to ensure that you're warm.
Have a hot beverage (i.e a cup of tea; hot chocolate; coffee etc.).
Use either a thick mug or wrap a hand towel around the cup to avoid the heat from the drink.
The chilblains may crack open and get infected.
The pain will be worse if you do scratch them.
If you can't stop scratching them, use calamine lotion or witch hazel to soothe the itching.
They can usually be found at your local pharmacy. , Don't place your chilblain affected areas directly over heaters; hot water bottles; kettles etc.
Cover your hot water bottles in thick towels.
If you have an electric blanket, keep the heat on low. , Keeping your feet clean will help prevent your chilblains becoming infected and getting worse.
Soak your feet and hands with warm water for 15 to 20 minutes as much as possible.
Very hot water must be avoided. , You can find them at your local pharmacist.
Apply the ointment to the affected area two to three times a day.
The ointment will partly relieve the scratching and can help the healing process.
Always read the package instructions. , Sometimes chilblains are formed when the circulation isn't very good.
Do some moderate exercises that help your circulation flow (e.g. yoga; light jogging; stretches etc.). , Are your shoes too tight? Test to see by touching around the shoe while your foot is inside.
If you can feel your foot easily, the shoe is too tight.
Consider buying some new shoes or using another pair.
If the shoes are sneakers, try loosening the shoelaces. , Stay away from people you see light up a cigarette or cover your nose and mouth.
Even if you don't smoke, inhaling smoke from others is known as second-hand smoke so you are affected just as much.
Smoking delays the healing of chilblains and can make them worse.
People who smoke are more at risk of getting chilblains.
Pollution can also affect the healing process of chilblains, try staying away from the city central area in your town. , Stay inside a warm building instead of going outside but make sure that the building you are in is not hot.
Quickly overheating can make chilblains worse.
If the building is hot, go outside and put on some warm clothing.
Enter the building again and take off the warm clothing.
This is so that you can gradually warm up instead of warming up very quickly.
Warming up quickly can make the chilblains worse. , Chilblains usually don't go away until 7 to 14 days later.
Sometimes, chilblains may not go away until warmer weather arrives.
Don't panic unless you see the chilblains get worse.
Look out for:
Skin peeling off the chilblains.
You may be seeing your skin turning white and your skin may always be very damp.
Chilblains changing colour.
Blue, purple or black chilblains are something you must watch out for. , It could be a serious problem so ask your doctor if you could have a blood test to detect any problems.
You can also ask your doctor if the medication you are currently on is affecting the chilblains.
Your doctor may prescribe you some medication to take.
Your doctor may recommend to take nifedipine.
This drug helps relax the blood vessels which improves circulation.
However, your doctor may only prescribe it to you if the chilblains are a severe problem to you.
Chilblains are a symptom of the Raynaud's phenomenon, so if you do have Raynaud's phenomenon, see a doctor immediately.
About the Author
Helen Knight
Committed to making creative arts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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