What causes chilblains and effective ways to treat them
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.