Chilblains: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Chilblains | |||
| image = [[File:Wintertenen.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Chilblains on toes | |||
| synonyms = Pernio, perniosis | |||
| pronounce = | |||
| specialty = [[Dermatology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Redness]], [[itching]], [[inflammation]], [[blisters]] | |||
| complications = [[Infection]], [[ulceration]] | |||
| onset = [[Cold weather]] | |||
| duration = 1–3 weeks | |||
| causes = [[Cold exposure]], [[poor circulation]] | |||
| risks = [[Raynaud's phenomenon]], [[smoking]], [[poor nutrition]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical diagnosis]] | |||
| differential = [[Frostbite]], [[Raynaud's phenomenon]], [[erythromelalgia]] | |||
| prevention = [[Warm clothing]], [[avoiding cold exposure]] | |||
| treatment = [[Warming]], [[topical corticosteroids]], [[nifedipine]] | |||
| medication = [[Nifedipine]], [[topical corticosteroids]] | |||
| frequency = Common in cold climates | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Chilblains_from_excessively_icing_the_feet.jpg|Chilblains from excessively icing the feet|thumb|left]] | |||
'''Chilblains''' (also known as pernio and perniosis) is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. It is often confused with [[frostbite]] and [[hypothermia]], as they share similar symptoms and environmental conditions, but chilblains is a separate condition that does not involve freezing or necessarily extreme cold. | '''Chilblains''' (also known as pernio and perniosis) is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. It is often confused with [[frostbite]] and [[hypothermia]], as they share similar symptoms and environmental conditions, but chilblains is a separate condition that does not involve freezing or necessarily extreme cold. | ||
== '''Presentation''' == | == '''Presentation''' == | ||
Chilblains presents as painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin, typically in response to a sudden warming from cold temperatures. The condition can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on extremities, such as the hands and feet. | Chilblains presents as painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin, typically in response to a sudden warming from cold temperatures. The condition can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on extremities, such as the hands and feet. | ||
== '''Causes and Risk Factors''' == | == '''Causes and Risk Factors''' == | ||
The exact cause of chilblains is not well understood, but it's thought to be an abnormal reaction of the body to cold exposure followed by rewarming. Rewarming of cold skin can cause small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger blood vessels can handle, resulting in a bottleneck effect and the subsequent inflammation. | The exact cause of chilblains is not well understood, but it's thought to be an abnormal reaction of the body to cold exposure followed by rewarming. Rewarming of cold skin can cause small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger blood vessels can handle, resulting in a bottleneck effect and the subsequent inflammation. | ||
Risk factors include: | Risk factors include: | ||
* Poor circulation | * Poor circulation | ||
| Line 13: | Line 32: | ||
* Being underweight | * Being underweight | ||
* Certain conditions such as [[Raynaud's disease]], [[lupus]], and [[rheumatoid arthritis]]. | * Certain conditions such as [[Raynaud's disease]], [[lupus]], and [[rheumatoid arthritis]]. | ||
== '''Diagnosis''' == | == '''Diagnosis''' == | ||
Diagnosis of chilblains is typically based on the clinical presentation of symptoms and the patient's history of exposure to cold. Imaging or other diagnostic tests are usually not necessary. | Diagnosis of chilblains is typically based on the clinical presentation of symptoms and the patient's history of exposure to cold. Imaging or other diagnostic tests are usually not necessary. | ||
== '''Treatment''' == | == '''Treatment''' == | ||
Treatment of chilblains primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing the condition from recurring. Home remedies include warming the skin gently (without direct heat, which can cause burns), keeping the skin dry and moisturized, and avoiding cold exposure as much as possible. | Treatment of chilblains primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing the condition from recurring. Home remedies include warming the skin gently (without direct heat, which can cause burns), keeping the skin dry and moisturized, and avoiding cold exposure as much as possible. | ||
For severe or recurring cases, medical treatment may be necessary. This could include a prescription for a drug to improve circulation, topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, or antibiotics if an infection develops. | For severe or recurring cases, medical treatment may be necessary. This could include a prescription for a drug to improve circulation, topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, or antibiotics if an infection develops. | ||
== '''Prevention''' == | == '''Prevention''' == | ||
Prevention is a key component in managing chilblains. This includes keeping the extremities warm in cold weather, using appropriate protective clothing, and making lifestyle changes to improve circulation such as quitting smoking or regular exercise. | Prevention is a key component in managing chilblains. This includes keeping the extremities warm in cold weather, using appropriate protective clothing, and making lifestyle changes to improve circulation such as quitting smoking or regular exercise. | ||
== '''See Also''' == | == '''See Also''' == | ||
* [[Frostbite]] | * [[Frostbite]] | ||
* [[Raynaud's disease]] | * [[Raynaud's disease]] | ||
* [[Lupus]] | * [[Lupus]] | ||
== '''References''' == | == '''References''' == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
# "Chilblains". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2021-09-01. | # "Chilblains". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2021-09-01. | ||
# "Chilblains". NHS UK. Retrieved 2021-09-01. | # "Chilblains". NHS UK. Retrieved 2021-09-01. | ||
== '''External Links''' == | == '''External Links''' == | ||
* [https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/chilblains/ DermNet NZ: Chilblains] | * [https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/chilblains/ DermNet NZ: Chilblains] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:00, 4 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Chilblains | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Pernio, perniosis |
| Pronounce | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Redness, itching, inflammation, blisters |
| Complications | Infection, ulceration |
| Onset | Cold weather |
| Duration | 1–3 weeks |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Cold exposure, poor circulation |
| Risks | Raynaud's phenomenon, smoking, poor nutrition |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis |
| Differential diagnosis | Frostbite, Raynaud's phenomenon, erythromelalgia |
| Prevention | Warm clothing, avoiding cold exposure |
| Treatment | Warming, topical corticosteroids, nifedipine |
| Medication | Nifedipine, topical corticosteroids |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common in cold climates |
| Deaths | N/A |
Chilblains (also known as pernio and perniosis) is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. It is often confused with frostbite and hypothermia, as they share similar symptoms and environmental conditions, but chilblains is a separate condition that does not involve freezing or necessarily extreme cold.
Presentation[edit]
Chilblains presents as painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin, typically in response to a sudden warming from cold temperatures. The condition can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on extremities, such as the hands and feet.
Causes and Risk Factors[edit]
The exact cause of chilblains is not well understood, but it's thought to be an abnormal reaction of the body to cold exposure followed by rewarming. Rewarming of cold skin can cause small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger blood vessels can handle, resulting in a bottleneck effect and the subsequent inflammation. Risk factors include:
- Poor circulation
- Family history of chilblains
- Regular exposure to cold and humidity
- Being underweight
- Certain conditions such as Raynaud's disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of chilblains is typically based on the clinical presentation of symptoms and the patient's history of exposure to cold. Imaging or other diagnostic tests are usually not necessary.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment of chilblains primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing the condition from recurring. Home remedies include warming the skin gently (without direct heat, which can cause burns), keeping the skin dry and moisturized, and avoiding cold exposure as much as possible. For severe or recurring cases, medical treatment may be necessary. This could include a prescription for a drug to improve circulation, topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, or antibiotics if an infection develops.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention is a key component in managing chilblains. This includes keeping the extremities warm in cold weather, using appropriate protective clothing, and making lifestyle changes to improve circulation such as quitting smoking or regular exercise.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
- "Chilblains". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
- "Chilblains". NHS UK. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
