Chilblains

Chilblains is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. Damage to capillary beds in the skin causes redness, itching, inflammation, and sometimes blisters. The areas most affected are the toes, fingers, earlobes, nose.

Statistical analysis of Chilblains disease shows that 20%-40% of chilblains may be associated with more concerning conditions including systemic lupus erythematosus, cryoglobulinemia, antiphospholipid syndrome, macroglobulinemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. 

Chilblains can be reduced by keeping the feet and hands warm in cold weather, and avoiding extreme temperature changes. We can use a topical steroid cream to relieve itch. There are anecdotal reports that Vitamin D and calcium supplements may help.

Basic clinical and epidemiological research is going on for the better understanding of chilblains across the world from past several years. This research mainly involved in the diagnosis and various new treatment methods of emerging chilblains disease which is now becoming a major challenge to the researchers.