&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;1th60dg&quot; data-start=&quot;202&quot; data-end=&quot;260&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Chilblains and What Do They Feel Like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;262&quot; data-end=&quot;516&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Ever come in from the cold and notice your fingers or toes becoming &lt;strong data-start=&quot;330&quot; data-end=&quot;366&quot;&gt;itchy, swollen, or painfully red&lt;/strong&gt; a few hours later? You might be dealing with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;412&quot; data-end=&quot;453&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Chilblains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, a skin condition triggered by exposure to cold, damp weather.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;518&quot; data-end=&quot;885&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Despite the name, chilblains aren&amp;rsquo;t caused by frostbite or freezing temperatures. Instead, they occur when skin is exposed to &lt;strong data-start=&quot;644&quot; data-end=&quot;680&quot;&gt;cold but not freezing conditions&lt;/strong&gt;, especially when the air is damp. After your skin warms up again, the small blood vessels under the skin may react abnormally, leading to inflammation and discomfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;887&quot; data-end=&quot;1174&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chilblains are also known as &lt;strong data-start=&quot;916&quot; data-end=&quot;926&quot;&gt;pernio&lt;/strong&gt;, and while they can be annoying and uncomfortable, they&amp;rsquo;re usually temporary and don&amp;rsquo;t cause permanent damage. In most cases, symptoms improve within &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1077&quot; data-end=&quot;1099&quot;&gt;two to three weeks&lt;/strong&gt;, especially as the weather warms up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;887&quot; data-end=&quot;1174&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1lxwy43&quot; data-start=&quot;1176&quot; data-end=&quot;1212&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What symptoms look and feel like&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1214&quot; data-end=&quot;1417&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chilblains often show up several hours after exposure to the cold. The most common places they appear are areas of the body that are farthest from the heart &amp;mdash; where circulation is naturally a bit slower.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1419&quot; data-end=&quot;1439&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;These areas include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1443&quot; data-end=&quot;1452&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fingers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1455&quot; data-end=&quot;1461&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Toes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1464&quot; data-end=&quot;1471&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Heels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1474&quot; data-end=&quot;1480&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Ears&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1483&quot; data-end=&quot;1489&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1491&quot; data-end=&quot;1562&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The symptoms may vary from person to person, but typical signs include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1566&quot; data-end=&quot;1612&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Small &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1572&quot; data-end=&quot;1612&quot;&gt;itchy or burning patches on the skin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1615&quot; data-end=&quot;1650&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1615&quot; data-end=&quot;1627&quot;&gt;Swelling&lt;/strong&gt; in the affected area&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1653&quot; data-end=&quot;1700&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1653&quot; data-end=&quot;1698&quot;&gt;Red, purple, or bluish skin discoloration&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1703&quot; data-end=&quot;1725&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1703&quot; data-end=&quot;1725&quot;&gt;Tenderness or pain&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1728&quot; data-end=&quot;1772&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1728&quot; data-end=&quot;1749&quot;&gt;Blisters or sores&lt;/strong&gt; in more severe cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1774&quot; data-end=&quot;2039&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Many people also notice that the itching or burning sensation gets &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1841&quot; data-end=&quot;1906&quot;&gt;worse when they move from a cold environment into a warm room&lt;/strong&gt;, because the sudden temperature change affects blood flow in the small vessels under the skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1774&quot; data-end=&quot;2039&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;Why scratching is not your friend&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2080&quot; data-end=&quot;2253&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;When chilblains itch, scratching can be very tempting. However, the skin in these areas can become fragile. Scratching may break the skin and increase the risk of infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2255&quot; data-end=&quot;2345&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Keeping the skin warm, dry, and protected can help reduce irritation while the body heals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2255&quot; data-end=&quot;2345&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1nugzrn&quot; data-start=&quot;2347&quot; data-end=&quot;2364&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The good news&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2366&quot; data-end=&quot;2563&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Although chilblains can feel uncomfortable, they&amp;rsquo;re usually &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2426&quot; data-end=&quot;2443&quot;&gt;not dangerous&lt;/strong&gt;. Most cases clear up naturally within a few weeks without causing lasting damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2565&quot; data-end=&quot;2714&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;However, if symptoms are severe, repeatedly return each winter, or show signs of infection, it&amp;rsquo;s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2565&quot; data-end=&quot;2714&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1ip4527&quot; data-start=&quot;2736&quot; data-end=&quot;2772&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do Chilblains Happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2774&quot; data-end=&quot;2997&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chilblains occur because of the way the body responds to cold temperatures. When your skin gets cold, the tiny blood vessels near the surface tighten to conserve heat. This process helps protect the body&amp;rsquo;s core temperature.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2999&quot; data-end=&quot;3279&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But when cold skin warms up too quickly, the blood vessels may &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3062&quot; data-end=&quot;3123&quot;&gt;expand faster than the surrounding circulation can handle&lt;/strong&gt;. This sudden change can cause fluid and blood to leak into nearby tissues, leading to swelling, redness, and itching.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3281&quot; data-end=&quot;3349&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of it as a small traffic jam in your body&amp;rsquo;s micro-circulation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3281&quot; data-end=&quot;3349&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;fvc6bk&quot; data-start=&quot;3351&quot; data-end=&quot;3390&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cold, damp weather plays a big role&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3392&quot; data-end=&quot;3641&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chilblains are more common in climates where the weather is &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3452&quot; data-end=&quot;3491&quot;&gt;cold and humid rather than freezing&lt;/strong&gt;. That&amp;rsquo;s because damp air makes it harder for the body to maintain warmth and normal blood flow in exposed skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3643&quot; data-end=&quot;3692&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;Even simple situations can trigger them, such as&lt;/span&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3696&quot; data-end=&quot;3734&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Walking outside in cold, wet weather&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3737&quot; data-end=&quot;3776&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Wearing thin or tight shoes in winter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3779&quot; data-end=&quot;3822&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sitting in a chilly room for long periods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3825&quot; data-end=&quot;3859&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rapidly warming cold hands or feet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;hfif40&quot; data-start=&quot;3861&quot; data-end=&quot;3902&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who is more likely to get chilblains?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3904&quot; data-end=&quot;3979&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;While anyone can develop chilblains, certain factors may increase the risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3981&quot; data-end=&quot;3995&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;These include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3999&quot; data-end=&quot;4032&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3999&quot; data-end=&quot;4032&quot;&gt;Living in cold, damp climates&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4035&quot; data-end=&quot;4070&quot;&gt;Low body weight or low body fat&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4073&quot; data-end=&quot;4111&quot;&gt;Wearing tight clothing or footwear&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4114&quot; data-end=&quot;4134&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4114&quot; data-end=&quot;4134&quot;&gt;Poor circulation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4137&quot; data-end=&quot;4148&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4137&quot; data-end=&quot;4148&quot;&gt;Smoking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4151&quot; data-end=&quot;4294&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain health conditions such as &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4185&quot; data-end=&quot;4256&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Raynaud&#39;s phenomenon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; or connective tissue diseases&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4296&quot; data-end=&quot;4463&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Interestingly, studies suggest chilblains may be more common in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4360&quot; data-end=&quot;4424&quot;&gt;young adults, particularly women between 15 and 30 years old&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4296&quot; data-end=&quot;4463&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1sslu0f&quot; data-start=&quot;4465&quot; data-end=&quot;4494&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can chilblains come back?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4496&quot; data-end=&quot;4713&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Yes &amp;mdash; for some people, chilblains can become a seasonal visitor. Symptoms may return during colder months each year, especially if the same cold and damp conditions occur again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4715&quot; data-end=&quot;4791&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fortunately, simple prevention strategies can help reduce the risk, such as:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4795&quot; data-end=&quot;4828&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dressing warmly in cold weather&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4831&quot; data-end=&quot;4874&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Wearing loose, insulated shoes and gloves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4877&quot; data-end=&quot;4905&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Keeping hands and feet dry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4908&quot; data-end=&quot;4948&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Warming up gradually after being outside&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4950&quot; data-end=&quot;5051&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;With the right precautions, many people can keep chilblains from becoming a recurring winter problem.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4950&quot; data-end=&quot;5051&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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