Chilblain: Causes and effects
December 6, 2008
Chilblain is a foot disease that is always confused with frostbite due to its name. Though it occurs when an individual is exposed to cold, it is nowhere close to frostbite as the effect is ulcers formed on the extremities of our body, like the toes and fingers. Even though Chilblain is a disease of its own kind, it can be a symptom for serious medical conditions that may need to be investigated.
Although Chilblain is painful, it does not cause any permanent impairment. Chilblain does not take much time to develop if your skin is extremely sensitive to cold weather. Therefore, one way to prevent Chilblain is to keep your hands and feet warm at all times during winter.
If you have developed Chilblain, make sure that you wash and clean the affected area carefully. Keep them warm by covering them lightly with loose clothes so that your natural body heat is restored. This disease is extremely common among children and the aged as their skin is very sensitive to changes.
Chilblain occurs mainly due to rapid change in the heat supplied to the body. You may also develop Chilblain if your body has been in the cold for long and then is suddenly exposed to extreme heat. Chilblain can be identified as a small itchy red area on your skin that is painful. Swelling on the affected areas is also common.
There are natural methods for Chilblain treatment that helps in keeping the wound warm and clean. This disease can be treated and cured within a minimum time span of 4 weeks.