The name Chilblains or Perniones is misleading, because they have nothing to do with a real frostbite and a real bump does not form either. Rather, they tend to occur in damp, cold weather, e.g. in spring and autumn. They cause dark red spots and soft, doughy tissue densities that are mainly found on the protruding parts of the body. Nose, ears, fingers, toes and the outer edges of the hands and soles of the feet are preferentially affected.
What are chilblains?
The good news first: Even if frostbite is unpleasant, unlike frostbite, it is initially quite harmless. Chilblains, medical Perniones called, are itchy to painful swellings under the human skin, which are caused by repeated exposure to environmental stimuli such as cold and wet.
Basically, chilblains fall under the condition of circulatory disorders. After all, as with frostbite, chilblains usually affect the parts of the body with the least blood supply, such as toes, fingers, ears and nose. The front and outer sides of the lower legs can also be affected by chilblains, as can the dorsal sides of the hands and feet, i.e. the backs of the hands and feet.
Chilblains are caused by extreme constriction or occlusion of peripheral arteries and arterioles under the influence of cold with consequent damage to the tissue.
causes
The primary cause of chilblains is damp, cold weather, paired with poor blood circulation or insufficient function of the blood circulation. While chilblains usually heal on their own within about three weeks, they are at least uncomfortable. The area around the frostbite is diminished in its sensation, you can feel an indefinite, dull pressure.
To prevent chilblains, the first thing to do is to stimulate the circulation. For example, if you know that you will be outdoors for many hours during a winter hike, you should ensure that blood circulation is not obstructed. Constricting stockings, shoes, belts, a waistband that is too tight, a tight watch or a tight ring, even constricting gloves - all of these obstruct the blood supply to those parts of the body that are farthest away from the heart, which are already poorly supplied with blood. Adequate protection from the cold and moisture is also advisable to prevent frostbite. You can also train your vascular system, for example with classic alternating showers.
If you pinch your nose, which is decorated with a frostbite, you only feel a dull, indefinite pressure, so the feeling is diminished in such a district. The severe itching and burning sensation is known when suddenly entering a well-heated room with a frostbite.
As already noted, chilblains occur as a result of insufficient blood circulation. So when it comes to prevention, one must be careful to improve the functioning of the circulatory system. Under no circumstances should the blood circulation be hindered from the outside. What happens if the endangered body parts cannot be flowed through by blood in sufficient quantities due to an external obstacle? Too tight stockings or shoes, e.g. the blood supply to the toes is throttled because the blood flow cannot completely overcome the constricting obstacle.
This means that enough fresh blood can no longer flow into the small vessels at the foot end and the toes, so that the resistance of the tissue is reduced as a result of inadequate nutrition. If external damage occurs in this poorly nourished tissue, such as cold and wet weather, then you can expect frostbite almost regularly. So it is less important to put on as much as possible and more important that the clothes are loose enough.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
If chilblains have formed, this can be recognized by the characteristic abnormal sensations on the skin. In addition, there is a general feeling of coldness and the affected area turns blue. Toes, fingers, ears, and nose are affected.
In these areas the skin feels cold and damp, and it appears numb to the touch. The skin can also feel furry or puffy. In addition, the skin tends to sweat profusely. The chilblains themselves can be recognized by their unique appearance. They are expressed by clearly delimited skin changes, which are usually round, pasty and bluish-pale. Sometimes blisters form or a skin defect called an ulcer develops.
If the affected parts of the body are heated, itchy, burning swellings develop. If not treated, the chilblains can become infected. The result is redness and severe itching. Bleeding occurs in individual cases. Furthermore, chilblains can cause circulatory disorders and lead to severe inflammation of the tissue. The typical cold symptoms usually accompany the chilblains, i.e. runny nose, severe cough and fever. If these symptoms are noticed, the general practitioner or dermatologist should be consulted.
Complications
Of course, chilblains can also cause various complications, but these can be effectively counteracted with the help of appropriate treatment and the right medication. Since frostbite is an inflammation of the skin, complications can arise, especially during the healing process. In many cases, the inflammation does not subside properly, so that one has to resort to taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
If a frostbite does not go away completely within a few days, there is a very high probability that there is a problem with blood circulation. If this complication remains without any treatment, the affected tissue can become severely inflamed or, in the worst case, even die. However, if the person concerned goes to treatment in good time, then this complication can also be effectively treated with the help of medication that stimulates blood circulation.
It is not uncommon for chilblains to show various symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, severe cough and fever. If it is a flu-like infection, you should definitely resort to taking appropriate medication. If this is not done at all, there is a risk of further complications.
In the worst case scenario, pneumonia or even a real flu can result, which makes a doctor's visit essential. One thing is certain: the possible complications of a frostbite are very diverse and extensive, so that an exact prognosis is very difficult to make.
When should you go to the doctor?
For most of those affected, chilblains are not a reason to consult a doctor. Under normal circumstances, symptoms will be relieved within a few days. The changes in the skin heal and the normal complexion reappears. If there are no other complaints, no doctor is required. The self-healing process takes over the regression of the chilblains on its own and does not require any further support. It is helpful to wear loose clothing. This avoids unnecessary friction between the clothing and the changed areas of skin.
If the person concerned suffers from further complaints, he needs medical assistance. In the case of circulatory disorders, regular chilblains or severe sensory disorders, a doctor should be consulted. If you experience numbness, impaired sensitivity or cold fingers and feet, a check-up is recommended. The cause of the circulatory disorders must be found, otherwise a life-threatening condition can occur. If the blood vessels are constricted, blood congestion can occur.
If the outcome is unfavorable, there is a risk of a stroke without medical care. In the event of pain, itching or the appearance of open wounds, a doctor should be consulted. Pathogens enter the organism through a non-sterile wound and trigger further diseases. In severe cases, the person concerned threatens blood poisoning with fatal consequences.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
If chilblains recur, tissue atrophy and scarring of the affected areas can occur. This means that even if chilblains are harmless and go away on their own, in severe cases tissue damage can occur. For young women in particular, who are the main risk group for chilblains, this is primarily a cosmetic-aesthetic problem.
For this reason, too, nifedipine is used to treat particularly severe chilblains. This drug from the group of calcium antagonists causes the smooth vascular muscles to expand and thus significantly lowers blood pressure. Fortunately, this is really only necessary in the rarest of cases. In general, chilblains are a nuisance, but not dangerous.
Outlook & forecast
Chilblains can cause various ailments, but they are not life threatening. If the bumps are treated quickly, the typical symptoms will subside after a few days to weeks. The person concerned usually feels sick and exhausted for a few days before their state of health slowly improves again.
However, if frostbite is not treated, serious complications can develop. This can lead to circulatory disorders, which can seriously inflame the affected tissue and, in extreme cases, even die. If the sick person is treated immediately, however, blood circulation-enhancing drugs can prevent this.
Only the elderly, sick, pregnant women and children are at risk of developing skin damage or overloading the cardiovascular and immune systems. This can lead to a number of complaints that may be associated with a further deterioration in health.
If this happens, emergency medical treatment must be given immediately to avoid serious complications such as circulatory collapse or scarring. Basically, chilblains have a good prognosis. With extensive treatment and medical supervision, the bumps usually subside quickly without any long-term effects.
prevention
Gloves, stockings and shoes must allow the limbs enough freedom of movement. By the way, the stockings deserve more attention than before. Strangely enough, stockings are still made with a pointed, symmetrical front end, because this shape not only presses the toes together and brings them out of their natural position, but also impedes blood circulation. You should therefore prefer stockings and socks with a foot-friendly, wide finish, especially during the transition period.
However, it is completely wrong to pull several such pointed stockings or socks on top of each other, because this restricts the freedom of movement of the toes even more. But not only at the ends of the body, but also centrally, the blood circulation must not be hindered by clothing that is too tight. Constricting garters or tight elastic sleeve closures can be to blame when you come home from a trip with a frostbite.
Those who are already prone to circulatory disorders naturally have to deal with such symptoms particularly frequently. In such cases, it is therefore advisable not to limit prevention to appropriate clothing, but also to increase the general reactivity of the vessels. If it is possible to train the vascular system to such an extent that it can easily adapt to rapidly changing temperatures (transition from the heated room to the open air, drafts, etc.), then that means not only the best prophylaxis against chilblains, but against Circulatory disorders at all.
But how do you start that? The means are very simple. You need a sponge or a cloth and cool and hot water. Then you proceed in such a way that you first wash one part of the body with hot, then with cold water, then dry it off and then move on to the next. At the end of this cold-blooded wash, you rub the body vigorously and with this procedure you get a beneficial stimulation of the blood circulation. But you can also take cold-blooded partial baths. For this you need a bucket with cold water (around 25 degrees Celsius) and a second bucket with hot (37-40 degrees) water.
In the beginning, don't choose too great a temperature difference. Now you put your legs first in hot water for ½ to ¾ minutes, then in cold water for a few seconds and change about five times, finish with cold water and finally rub everything dry. These simple measures are an excellent way to train the vascular muscles. They only have one disadvantage, namely that they take five minutes more time than, say, taking a tablet.
But the effectiveness of such applications is far more intensive, permanent, more pleasant and often faster. With a well-trained vascular system you not only avoid the unsightly and annoying frostbite during the wet and cold transition period, but also protect against the threat of colds and flu.
Chilblains and frostbite on the extremities are underestimated by many people. Some therefore decide that a doctor's visit is necessary. It is definitely advisable to consult a doctor. It is even more important to find out about possible self-help measures in advance. If you do something wrong here, you can cause skin damage and permanent frostbite.
There are four degrees of frostbite to be distinguished. Chilblains are already the second degree of frostbite. For this reason alone, they should be taken seriously. If you can, you should thaw the chilblains again with warm water and then consult a doctor. Chilblains cause circulatory disorders with tissue damage that require treatment. Follow-up care may be advisable so that no permanent damage remains to the affected skin areas.
Contrary to the prevailing opinion, frostbite can develop at temperatures around zero degrees. Prevention would definitely be better than aftercare.Too tight shoes or constricting stockings as well as circulatory disorders promote the development of chilblains. Follow-up care must ensure that the associated skin damage is kept as low as possible. The itching can be relieved with ointments. Regular follow-up examinations are useful until the chilblains have healed.
Chilblains and frostbite on the extremities are underestimated by many people. Some therefore decide that a doctor's visit is necessary. It is definitely advisable to consult a doctor. It is even more important to find out about possible self-help measures in advance. If you do something wrong here, you can cause skin damage and permanent frostbite.
There are four degrees of frostbite to be distinguished. Chilblains are already the second degree of frostbite. For this reason alone, they should be taken seriously. If you can, you should thaw the chilblains again with warm water and then consult a doctor. Chilblains cause circulatory disorders with tissue damage that require treatment. Follow-up care may be advisable so that no permanent damage remains to the affected skin areas.
Contrary to the prevailing opinion, frostbite can develop at temperatures around zero degrees. Prevention would definitely be better than aftercare. Too tight shoes or constricting stockings as well as circulatory disorders promote the development of chilblains. Follow-up care must ensure that the associated skin damage is kept as low as possible. The itching can be relieved with ointments. Regular follow-up examinations are useful until the chilblains have healed.
Chilblains and frostbite on the extremities are underestimated by many people. Some therefore decide that a doctor's visit is necessary. It is definitely advisable to consult a doctor. It is even more important to find out about possible self-help measures in advance. If you do something wrong here, you can cause skin damage and permanent frostbite.
There are four degrees of frostbite to be distinguished. Chilblains are already the second degree of frostbite. For this reason alone, they should be taken seriously. If you can, you should thaw the chilblains again with warm water and then consult a doctor. Chilblains cause circulatory disorders with tissue damage that require treatment. Follow-up care may be advisable so that no permanent damage remains to the affected skin areas.
Contrary to the prevailing opinion, frostbite can develop at temperatures around zero degrees. Prevention would definitely be better than aftercare. Too tight shoes or constricting stockings as well as circulatory disorders promote the development of chilblains. Follow-up care must ensure that the associated skin damage is kept as low as possible. The itching can be relieved with ointments. Regular follow-up examinations are useful until the chilblains have healed.
Aftercare
Chilblains and frostbite on the extremities are underestimated by many people. Some therefore decide that a doctor's visit is necessary. It is definitely advisable to consult a doctor. It is even more important to find out about possible self-help measures in advance. If you do something wrong here, you can cause skin damage and permanent frostbite.
There are four degrees of frostbite to be distinguished. Chilblains are already the second degree of frostbite. For this reason alone, they should be taken seriously. If you can, you should thaw the chilblains again with warm water and then consult a doctor. Chilblains cause circulatory disorders with tissue damage that require treatment. Follow-up care may be advisable so that no permanent damage remains to the affected skin areas.
Contrary to the prevailing opinion, frostbite can develop at temperatures around zero degrees. Prevention would definitely be better than aftercare. Too tight shoes or constricting stockings as well as circulatory disorders promote the development of chilblains. Follow-up care should be designed in such a way that the associated skin damage is kept as low as possible. The itching can be relieved with ointments. Regular follow-up examinations are useful until the chilblains have healed.
Local self-treatments with oak bark or horsetail baths can be carried out as follow-up measures for worse chilblains. The temperature should be lukewarm. Drug treatments are also possible, but controversial.
You can do that yourself
Chilblains are harmless in most cases and can be treated by those affected. If the chilblains appear for the first time or very rarely and without accompanying symptoms (flu symptoms), those affected can act themselves before going to the doctor.
So it is most important that the affected area is always kept warm. At best, it is also ensured that the body temperature remains constant. The cold should therefore be avoided for a few days without sufficiently warm clothing - especially on the extremities.
In the case of a freshly onset of pernionis, it is important that the body is warmed up quickly. Under no circumstances should the relevant area be blow-dried or otherwise strongly heated. Wrapping in clothes (and the body in an airy blanket) is sufficient. The affected area must be kept free of movement so that the blood circulation is not additionally disturbed.
The itchy areas should not be scratched. Various herbal or pharmaceutical preparations prevent the itching.
The frostbite usually subsides within a few days or weeks and does not require any further treatment. The corresponding point is only to be observed, as a frostbite can always indicate a present circulatory problem.
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