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. If you have chilblains, your skin can feel itchy or like it's burning. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/108447/view Your fingers or toes may become red or purple. But redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/205880/view

Chilblains usually go away on their own in 2 to 3 weeks. There are some things you can try that may help and stop them from 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 slowly 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

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.

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.