Introduction
As the winter months roll in, so do a myriad of cold-weather-related health concerns. One of these concerns is chilblains, a condition that often goes unnoticed until the discomfort sets in. Chilblains are painful and itchy skin lesions that occur in response to cold temperatures. In this blog, I will delve into what chilblains are, their causes, and most importantly, how to best avoid them.
What Are Chilblains?
Chilblains are inflammatory skin lesions that typically occur on the extremities, such as fingers, toes, ears, or the nose. These lesions usually appear as purple/red, swollen, itchy, and tender bumps on the skin. They can be painful and irritating, making even the simplest tasks, like walking or using your hands, a challenge during the winter months.
Causes of Chilblains
Chilblains occur when the skin is exposed to cold and it is believed to involve the narrowing of blood vessels in response to cold, followed by sudden dilation when the skin is rewarmed. This rapid change in blood flow can lead to damage in the small blood vessels and surrounding tissue, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of chilblains.
How to Avoid Chilblains
Preventing chilblains is undoubtedly preferable to treating them, as the condition can be quite painful. Here are some effective ways to avoid chilblains:
Dress warmly: The most straightforward way to avoid chilblains is to keep your body and extremities warm. Dress in layers, including thermal underwear, gloves, and warm socks. Make sure your clothing is made of materials that trap heat and wick moisture away from your skin.
Keep your feet warm: Cold feet are more susceptible to chilblains. Wear insulated, waterproof boots, and consider using foot warmers if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather.
Get winter socks, Alpaca socks are the warmest of all, usually only available from specialist online retailers, but worth the effort to find them. For others, the battery powered heated socks are a good option.
Avoid sudden temperature changes: Be cautious when moving from a cold environment to a warm one. Allow your body to acclimate gradually to the temperature change. For example, don't rush to a hot bath or use a heater directly after coming in from the cold.
Use moisturiser: Keeping your skin well-moisturised can help lessen the impact of chilblains. Dry skin is more vulnerable to damage, so regularly apply a good quality moisturiser to your hands and feet.
Stay active: Physical activity generates body heat and increases circulation to the extremities, which can help you stay warm. Even light exercise like a brisk walk can make a difference in keeping chilblains at bay.
Quitting smoking also helps: Smoking can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the extremities. Quitting smoking can improve your circulation and decrease your risk of chilblains.