Overview

Chilblains are small, itchy patches that can appear after you have been in the cold. They usually clear up on their own. You may need to see a GP if they do not go away.

Symptoms of chilblains

Chilblains usually appear a few hours after you've been in the cold.

You mostly get them on your fingers and toes. But you can get them on your face and legs.

Your skin can feel itchy or like it's burning.

You fingers or toes may become red or purple.  The redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Things you can do to ease chilblains

Chilblains usually go away on their own in 2 to 3 weeks.

There are some things you can try to get rid of them yourself and stop them coming back.

Do:

• try to avoid being outside when it's cold or damp - if you do go out, wear warm, waterproof clothing, gloves and thick socks
• dry and sowly warm your skin if you've been exposed to cold

Don't:

• do not put your feet or hands on a radiator or under hot water to warm them up
• do not smoke, have drinks that contain caffeine, or take medicine for a blocked nose (decongestants) – these can affect the flow of blood in your fingers and toes
• do not scratch or pick at your skin

A pharmacist can help with chilblains

You can ask a pharmacist about:

• lotion that may help to soothe any itching
• if you need to see a GP

Find a pharmacy

See a GP if:

You have chilblains and:

• your skin is not getting better after 2 to 3 weeks
• there is pus coming out of your skin
• your temperature is very high, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
• you keep getting chilblains
• you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

Sometimes a GP may prescribe a medicine that helps to widen your blood vessels, which can help chilblains.

What happens at your appointment

A GP will check your symptoms to see if you have chilblains.

They may need to refer you for tests with a specialist if they're not sure why you're getting chilblains.

Causes of chilblains

You can get chilblains when it's cold. The cold makes the blood vessels in your fingers and toes get smaller. This stops blood moving around as easily.

Chilblains happen when the blood vessels deep in your skin stay small, but the vessels closer to the surface of your skin get bigger as you warm up. This causes pain or itching and changes in skin colour.