How To Get Rid of Chilblains Quickly

Chilblains, or pernio, occurs when small, itchy, swollen lesions form on the skin after exposure to cold, damp, or dry conditions. Chilblains can also occur after exposure to infections such as COVID-19 and hepatitis.

The lesions may appear red, purple, or dark blue. They can blister or form open sores if not treated promptly, causing symptoms such as burning, tenderness, or extreme itching.

The lesions can typically be treated with home remedies, but persistent cases may require medications. Chilblains can resolve anywhere from within a few days to 3-4 weeks.

There are immediate steps you can take at home to reduce the symptoms of chilblains. These include:

• Avoid exposure to cold and keep the affected area of the skin clean, dry, and warm
• Cover lesions with a loose dressing and avoid wearing clothing that rubs against the affected areas
• Steroid creams may be helpful, but it’s unclear how much based on research; if you decide to use it, use one with a higher potency
• Soothe irritated skin by using a 1% hydrocortisone cream; ensure skin is not cracked before applying

Taking these steps can help you prevent chilblains from turning into blisters, painful sores, or a secondary infection.

It is important to treat chilblains as soon as possible to prevent complications such as infections, blisters, or sores. Home remedies and self-care tips that can help heal mild cases of chilblains include:

• Use an antiseptic on cracked or broken skin to help prevent infection.
• Use calamine lotion or witch hazel to soothe skin and relieve itching.
• Try a gluten-free diet if chilblains are occurring often. Studies have found that eating a gluten-free diet can help improve symptoms of chilblains, though further research is needed to understand the possible connection.

Some people have used vitamin D and vitamin K supplementation to treat chilblains, but there is not enough quality evidence in scientific literature to support treatment with these vitamins.

If home remedies are not effective or strong enough, medical treatments can help treat chilblains. Healthcare providers commonly treat chilblains with medications, both topical (applied to the skin) and oral (taken by mouth). These medications include:

• Topical corticosteroids: Medium to high dose corticosteroids, applied directly to the skin, can help treat chilblains. However, the clinical data is mixed regarding the efficacy of this treatment. If topical corticosteroids are prescribed, long-term or excessive use should be minimized to reduce side effects.
• Calcium channel blockers: These medications, including nifedipine (used to treat high blood pressure), can help treat and prevent chilblains. Brand names for nifedipine include Procardia and Adalat.
• Pentoxifylline: While this drug is only approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for intermittent claudication (muscle pain), it is frequently used off-label to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as chilblains. Further study is needed, but this treatment has been found to be relatively safe and well-tolerated for chilblains.

Chilblains can be prevented through lifestyle changes and self-care. To avoid the recurrence of chilblains, try the following tips:

• Avoid smoking. Smoking is associated with vasospasms (narrowing of the blood vessels) during cold exposure, which reduces blood flow and increases the chances of forming chilblains.
• Avoid prolonged or unprotected exposure to cold, damp, or dry environments whenever possible. Keep fingers and toes warm in these conditions by wearing gloves and socks.
• Move your body regularly. Exercise helps improve circulation and blood flow.

A healthcare provider can diagnose chilblains through a physical exam. Your provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and activities, such as exposure to cold weather.

Your provider may order laboratory tests to make a definite diagnosis. Tests may include blood tests, serum protein electrophoresis (measures specific proteins in the blood), and tests to detect antinuclear antibodies (large amounts may indicate an autoimmune disorder) and serum cryoglobulins (abnormal proteins).

If chilblains are resistant to medical treatment or become chronic (long-lasting), see a healthcare provider for further testing. They can order additional tests or perform a biopsy (taking a sample of tissue or cells from the skin) to test for other inflammatory conditions.

If you develop blisters, open sores, swelling, or pain that doesn’t go away with home remedies, you should also see a healthcare provider for medical care.

Chilblains, or pernio, is an inflammatory condition characterized by the formation of small, itchy lesions on the skin.

Home remedies include application of antiseptics, witch hazel, and calamine lotion. Keeping the lesions clean, warm, and dry is important for healing.

See a healthcare provider if home remedies are ineffective or you experience signs of infection or worsening symptoms such as blisters or open sores.