Chilblain - Home Treatment For Chilblains.

A chilblain is a small, itchy blue or red swellings occur in the winter on the toes but can occur on the finger, face and the nose. Chilblain usually occur several hours after exposure to the cold in temperate humid climates. Chilblain start during the winter (when the weather gets colder) - the initial symptoms include burning and itching in the area of the developing chilblain. These symptoms are often intensified when going into a warm room.

What do chilblain look and its causes :

In chilblains, freezing causes the terminal blood vessels to shut down. This is called vasoconstriction. The local tissue metabolism being at an extremely low ebb, the requirement for oxygen is much more, due to extreme cold. Vasoconstriction decreases blood supply, which leads to tissue damage.

Chilblain appear as small itchy, red areas on the skin. Chilblain become increasingly painful as they get congested and take on a dark blue appearance. Factors that contribute to tendency to chilblain include - a familial tendency. poor circulation. anemia. hormonal changes. some connective tissue disorders and some bone marrow disorders. Damp living conditions may also increase the risk for chilblains.

They occurs due to cold that's restricts blood circulation in the extremities.To prevent the chilblain you should keep your legs and body warm, especially if you have poor circulation. If your feet do get cold, allow them to warm up slowly - do not put them straight in front of a source of heat (this gives a chance for the circulation to respond to the warming skin). Do not let the feet become exposed to any source of direct heat (like a heater), especially if the foot is very cold - this is a common factor causing chilblain.

Here are a few simple Treatment for Chilblains.

• Keeping your feet warm is an important way to prevent chilblains - wear several layers of clothing, which trap body heat more efficiently than one bulky layer. Keep your fingers warm by wearing the gloves to prevent the chilblain.
• Soak hands/feet in a warm infusion of marigold flowers to a spoonful of sea salt has been added. Helps to reduce chilblains.
• Padding and pressure relief may give some relief for the chilblain symptoms.
• The part of the body that has chilblains should be elevated. This will reduce the swelling. Stay indoors in a warm room and let the body adjust to the warm room temperature naturally. Only then start with gentle, slow massage.
• Avoid scratching, and apply the anti-itch creams, calamine lotion and keep the effective chilblains toe and fingers in warm condition.
• The best treatment is to avoid having the chilblain problem in the first place by - wearing proper protection against the cold.

Natural Home Remedies to prevent Chilblain - Natural Treatment For Chilblains.

• Onion is best for chilblain.

If you suffer from chilblain use this remedy regularly winter. Cut a raw onion . Use the cut edge all over the chilblains; let the juice soak into the skin. The severity of itching dies down almost instantly and also helps in reducing the chilblain.

• Egg and Honey can also reduce chilblain.

Take a tablespoon of honey, a little glycerin, and one egg white. and add to this a little flour . Mix in to a paste. Apply all over the chilblain. Leave it on for 6-8 hours. Wash off. Cures your chilblain very quickly.

• Potato is treatment for chilblain.

Slice a potato. Sprinkle some salt on it. Rub it all over the chilblain. Helps to soothe the itching and redness.

• Regular Massage will helps to reduce chilblains.

Regular massage of hands and feet in winter with any warmed vegetable oil, with a few drops of lemon added, improves circulation. Use the discarded halves of lemons to cup them around fingers/toes, and rub them for a while. Wash off with warm water. Helps in reducing the chilblains.

• Black peppercorns with mustard or sesame seed oil.

Grind a few black black peppercorns and fry them in a tablespoonful of hot mustard or sesame seed oil. Filter and while still warm, use this oil for massage. Make sure the skin is not abraded or bruised, or else this will cause pain and inflammation in the chilblains.

• Garlic Juice reduces the itching of the chilblain.

Fresh juice and warm oil helps in reducing itching of chilblain. Rinse out hands in warm water, or the pungent garlic smell will remain.

All above are the best treatment to cure chilblains, but prevention in this as in most cases, is better than cure. Avoid smoking, Keep warm, be adequately clothed, keep dry and keep moving.

Treatment in case of severe chilblain

In case of the severe chilblain you need professional attention. A qualified podiatrist can treat your chilblain and offer advice on prevention. If you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, see your doctor if your chilblain ulcerate.