YOUR BELMONT PODIATRIST TALKS ABOUT CHILBLAINS

Winter is upon us and our feet can feel the cold.  Chilblains (also called pernio or perniosis) are small, itchy, red or purple swellings on the skin that occur as a reaction to cold temperatures. They often affect the toes, fingers, nose, and ears and are more common in people with poor circulation.

🔍 Causes

Chilblains happen when the skin is exposed to cold, damp conditions and then rewarmed too quickly. This rapid rewarming causes small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger vessels can handle, leading to leakage of blood into surrounding tissues.

✅ Common Symptoms

Red or purple bumps on the skin

Itching, burning, or tenderness

Swelling

Dry or cracked skin

Blistering in severe cases

🦶 Common Sites in the feet.

Toes (especially ends of toes)

Heels or sides of feet

🧊 Who’s at Risk?

People with poor circulation

People exposed to cold, damp weather

Individuals with Raynaud’s phenomenon

People with autoimmune conditions (e.g. lupus)

Children and elderly

Those with a low body mass index

💡 Prevention Tips

Keep your whole body and extremities warm in cold weather

Avoid rapid warming after being in the cold (e.g., don’t place cold feet directly near a heater)

Wear warm socks and shoes with good insulation

Keep skin dry and moisturized to avoid cracking

💊 Treatment Options

Keep affected areas warm and dry

Apply chilblain cream, such as AkilWinter (stocked at podiatry@belmont) and wear warm wool blend socks.

Avoid scratching to prevent infection

Call us podiatryatbelmont   for an appointment if you are concerned or chilblains have broken down for advice and treatment.