June 11, 2009
Chilblains are a medical condition a little similar to frostbite. This is also one of the main reasons why they are often confused for frostbite. They are caused due to constant or prolonged exposure to cold climates or surfaces. This is because exposure to a lot of cold can damage the capillary beds that are present in the skin. This damage causes the skin to become red. It can also sometimes cause blisters, itching and inflammation. Chilblains affect toes more than any other body part as toes are the most at risk of being in touch with cold surfaces for a longer period of time.
One of the best ways to avoid chilblains is to wear shoes with clean socks every day. It will also help to buy footwear that can keep your feet warm and also give them enough room to breathe. Inflammation of the skin around the infected area is one of the most common symptoms of chilblains. Although the exact cause of chilblains is still unknown, they are usually known to be triggered by prolonged exposure to cold climatic conditions.
Chilblains treatment would include gently massaging the infected area with a mild antiseptic cream or lotion. It is also important that you do not scratch the affected area as this will only make the infection worse. Walking around will help you circulate blood to the affected area and help in speedy recovery. A podiatrist will also be able to help you with chilblains treatment to a great extent.
view story
May 28, 2009
Of all the infections that affect the feet, chilblains is generally found in people who live in cold countries. It is thought that they are directly attributed to poor circulation. Chilblains affects the toes and the feet and results in them becoming swollen, itchy and red. There are different factors that can cause chilblains:
• Bone marrow or connective tissue disorders
• Poor blood circulation
• Poor nutrition
When your feet are exposed to cold, the capillary beds in the skin get damaged which is the cause of the itching, inflammation and redness. Burning sensations on the feet that begin to turn red and end up purple is a common symptom of chilblains. It is also possible for the skin to break and an infection to develop. Although chilblains are said to be idiopathic in origin, they could be a manifestation of a medical condition that is more serious and investigating and treating them quickly is essential.
Chilblains treatment
There are different kinds of chilblains treatment. These include prescribed medication from doctors and also ointments, lotions and oils that can be used to treat chilblains. There are also ways to prevent chilblains from occurring and these are keeping the feet warm. This can be done by wearing woollen slippers and socks. However, it is important to stay away from direct heat like using hot showers and hot water bottles.
view story
May 6, 2009
Skin infections and allergies can be caused by a number of things, forcing you to face a number of problems. Chilblains are one such allergic skin reaction that can be caused due to sudden and extreme changes in the surrounding temperature. Chilblains are also known as perniosis or pernio.
Identifying chilblains is not a difficult task. Chilblains normally occur on the fingers, toes, ears and nose, causing these areas to swell. The swollen areas also fall victim to burning and itching sensations that can be very painful. Timely treatment needs to be provided to people suffering from chilblains in order to prevent additional swelling and infections that may increase the problem.
The blood vessels in our body take time to react to the various changes in surrounding temperatures. Therefore, when your body is exposed to cold for long periods of time and then is warmed all of a sudden, the blood from your body leaks into your skin causing the formation of chilblains. Chilblains can also be formed in areas that have restricted circulation of blood.
Chilblains can be prevented only when your body is kept warm at all times, especially in cold climates. It is always advisable to wear a good amount of warm clothing so that your body is protected from the cold.
Chilblains can be treated in a number of ways. Treating chilblains with drugs can take a very long time. Therefore, many people opt for herbal and antiseptic treatments that help warm the body naturally, keeping chilblains at bay.
view story
April 14, 2009
Prolonged exposure to cold can cause chilblains. It is the redness of the skin caused by congested capillaries in the lower layers of the skin. Chilblains are found on the toes, fingers and ears. Chilblains are mainly associated with poor circulation to the peripheries. It can worsen through a poor diet, tight shoes, cold weather or a sedentary occupation.
Chilblains refer to the red itchy area that can grow into painful blisters. Itching can also cause gangrene in some cases. Cold areas and areas of poor circulation are most susceptible to chilblains.
There are various types of skin inflammations. Chilblains are one of them. Chilblains cause burning sensations and itching. If you continuously expose your body to cold weather temperatures, you are likely to develop chilblains. Improper blood circulation and allergic reaction also cause chilblains.
Smoking causes improper circulation of blood. This, in turn can causes chilblain. Wear thick clothes to keep your body warm in cold temperatures. Leg warmers and thick socks made of wool provide respite from cold weather and regular exercising can also help keep chilblains at bay.
Massage oils and therapeutic oils help treat chilblains. Natural oils and herbs enhance blood circulation and therapeutic oils strengthen your arteries, capillaries and veins. Ginger, prickly ash bark and hawthorn berries are effective in treating chilblains. Peppermint oil, lavender oil, garlic juice, rosemary oil and other herbal oils are other great ways of treating them.
Oils are available in a wide range and are the most popular way of combating chilblains.
view story
April 10, 2009
Chilblains are also called perniosis or blains. It is a medical condition which is often confused with frostbite. Prolonged exposure to cold weather can damage the capillary beds in the skin. This in turn, causes redness, itching, blisters and inflammation. Chilblains usually affect toes more than any other part of the body.
Inflammation of the skin on toes and redness of the nose are some of the common symptoms of chilblains. Chilblains can be avoided by keeping your skin moist and by wearing shoes that keep your feet warm and at the same time, give them room to breathe. Although the exact cause of chilblains is not known, it is triggered by extremely cold weather, especially damp coldness and by poor circulation.
Treating chilblains starts with telling yourself not to scratch the part of skin affected by it. Chilblains, usually cause irritation and scratching the affected area will only worsen the situation. You can soothe the area by gently massaging it with a gentle antiseptic cream. It is important to try and walk around as much as possible to increase the blood circulation to your toes. This is one of the most natural ways to treat chilblains.
Make sure you wear shoes that do not constrict your feet too much. This will help you give them the much needed space to breathe, thus helping you recover. Visiting a podiatrist will help you treat chilblains in the most fitting manner.
view story
March 30, 2009
Chilblains are a common problem that is often confused with frostbite. This problem normally occurs in cold or damp weather, when the skin reacts to a sudden change in body temperature. This reaction of the skin is very abnormal, which gives rise to painful swelling of the affected area.
Chilblains most commonly occur on the fingers, toes, nose and ears. Itching and burning sensations occur in these locations, the occurrence of swelling is the most common symptom of chilblains.
When the body is subject to a sudden change in temperature, there is not enough time for the blood vessels to react to this change. This causes the leakage of blood into the skin, which is the main cause of chilblains. Restriction of blood circulation at pressure points can also cause chilblains.
Though there are a variety of treatments for chilblains, the best thing you can do is try to avoid this from happening in the first instance by keeping your body warm during cold weather. Avoiding subjecting your body to direct heat after you come in from the cold can also help as this may also cause chilblains.
Using herbal oils to treat chilblains or keep them at bay is another option that you can choose. These oils are not difficult to find online and so you should not have any difficulty finding an appropriate treatment.
view story
February 23, 2009
Often in our body care routine, we tend to ignore our feet. Feet are very sensitive and if not cared for properly can develop many painful diseases. Chilblains are one such condition.
Painful partial redness of the skin on toes is known as chilblains. Chilblains are caused due to a congestion of capillaries in the peripheral layers of the skin. Poor blood circulation, cold weather and poor diet are the usual causes.
Fully mature chilblains have to be treated with a rigorous care routine as per a doctor’s advice. Chilblain treatment usually involves eating plenty of nutritious food and wearing warm clothes. Doctors might also prescribe the taking of various vitamin tablets as a part of the treatment.
However, the most effective method of chilblain treatment is to opt for natural oils. As one of the basic reasons behind the occurrence of chilblains is poor blood circulation, a regular massage of the feet with natural oils is sure to produce faster results than any other medication.
Foot massage with essential natural oils like peppermint oil, lavender oil or rosemary oil is highly beneficial in chilblain treatment. The massage helps in increasing blood circulation and the natural oils treat the affected skin directly.
Foot massage with such natural oils also helps to relieve stress and keeps the feet healthy. Thus it is beneficial not only for chilblain patients but also for fit people who have unproblematic feet.
view story
February 10, 2009
One of the best known and most painful foot diseases that a large number of people suffer from is chilblains. This foot disease is caused due to the congestion of capillaries in the skin’s lower layers. Chilblains usually set in because of poor blood circulation, especially to the peripheries. It can cause the skin to become painful, tender, very itchy and red and can worsen with tight shoes, a sedentary occupation, cold weather and a poor diet.
Although chilblains are a common foot disease, it can also be sometimes found on the fingers and ears. The problem may be rare but it is advisable to attend to it as soon as possible. Here are a few chilblain treatments that if followed should solve the painful problem.
Various chilblain treatments
• An invaluable chilblain treatment lies in herbal medicines. There are oils that can help reduce the itchiness and redness of the skin. This treatment provides immense relief because it increases peripheral blood flow. Constantly using the oil can improve the condition of blood vessel walls in the long run and increase circulation as well.
• Another very effective chilblains treatment is keeping the affected areas covered during cold weather and exercising too.
• Eating particular types of food like green vegetables, almonds, oats, figs, parsley, sesame seeds and millet is also a very effective chilblain treatment.
• Discontinuing smoking can also help cure chilblains a great deal.
These chilblain treatments can be very effective and following these few steps can prove to be extremely beneficial in curing the disease.
view story
February 5, 2009
Chilblains are a medical condition often confused with frostbite, mainly because of its name. Chilblains mainly occur in cold or damp weather, especially if you have sensitive skin that reacts to such conditions in an abnormal way. Chilblains are painful and can be worsened if not taken proper care of.
Chilblains mainly occur at the extremities and hence are very painful. This condition may give rise to swelling, a burning sensation in the skin and itching too, which increases when there is a sudden change in temperature from cold to warm. Chilblains mainly occur on the toes, fingers, ears and nose.
When you are out in a cold atmosphere, the blood vessels in your body cool down due to the chill. These vessels, if warmed up quickly by sudden exposure to heat, can start to leak into the skin. This then leads to the formation of chilblains. The sensitive parts of your body, which are directly exposed to the cold, are prone to chilblains the most.
In order to prevent chilblains it is important for you to maintain the temperature of your body. You need to dress up well during cold weather so that every part of your body is covered and kept warm. Thick socks and gloves for feet and hands give natural heat to these parts, keeping your blood vessels warm and out of harm. In case you are cold, try not to come into contact with direct heat as this will increase the risk of chilblains.
view story
December 30, 2008
What are chilblains
Chilblains are a medical condition found on the extremities of the body, such as the fingers, hands or toes. They are caused by a congestion of blood capillaries in the skins lower layer. Chilblains usually occur due to exposure to cold and humidity and can worsen due to a poor diet or tight shoes. It is an inflammation of the skin on feet, hands or ears and is followed by an itchy irritation.
Symptoms of chilblains
The common symptoms of chilblains are:
• Inflammation of the skin on toes
• Redness of nose
• Inflammation of the skin on fingers
• Redness of skin
• Inflammation of the earlobe
Treatment for chilblains
With treatment, chilblains heal in a period of four weeks. During chilblains treatment, it is essential to keep the affected area warm and clean. Scratching must be avoided by using a suitable anti-itching cream, powder or oil.
Studies have shown that approximately 1 out of every 10 Brit’s suffer from chilblains due to the poor blood circulation in their fingers and toes. For the prevention of chilblains, it is essential to improve the circulation to the fingers and toes. It is commonly seen in winter and you must keep yourself adequately warm by wearing gloves and other protective clothes.
A good diet and regular exercise help in maintaining the overall health of your body and prevent chilblains. Products used in chilblains treatment are available online and can be easily ordered.
view story