Chilblains

By | June 18, 2024
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Chilblains

Chilblains

Chilblain-like lesions and COVID-19

Chilblains are small, itchy patches that can appear on your skin after you've been in the cold.

Check if you have 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 also get them on your face and legs.

Close-up of chilblains on the toes of a person with white skin. The tips of the toes are swollen and red.
If you have chilblains, your skin can feel itchy or like it's burning.
Chilblains on the toes of a person with dark brown skin. The tips of the toes are swollen and slightly red and purple.
 Your fingers or toes may become red, purple, or swollen. The redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

What you can do about 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.

  • try to avoid being outside when it's cold or damp – if you do go out, wear warm, waterproof clothing, gloves and thick socks
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain

If you are suffering from chilblains do not

  •  put your feet or hands on a radiator or under hot water to warm them up
  •  smoke or have drinks that have caffeine in them – this can affect the flow of blood in your fingers and toes
  •  scratch or pick at your skin

Causes of chilblains

  • You can get chilblains when it's cold. The cold makes the tiny blood vessels in your fingers and toes get smaller. This stops blood from moving around as easily.
  • If you warm up too quickly, the blood vessels get bigger again and blood rushes to your fingers and toes. This can cause pain or swelling.

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