Skin and Nail Concerns of the Feet

What You Need To Know

Understanding chilblains and how our team evaluates and treats this condition.

Chilblains Care at Foot Care Center

Chilblains, also known as pernio, are small, itchy, red or purple skin lesions that occur when the skin is exposed to cold and damp conditions. While they are not typically permanent, chilblains can be painful and may lead to complications if left untreated.

Chilblains develop when the small blood vessels in the skin are damaged by repeated exposure to cold temperatures. Instead of normal blood flow returning after warming, the vessels expand too quickly, causing inflammation, swelling, and skin irritation. They most often affect the toes, feet, fingers, and ears.

Common symptoms include red, purple, or dark skin patches on the toes or feet, itching, burning, or pain in affected areas, swelling or tenderness, dry or cracked skin, and blisters or ulcers in more severe cases. Causes include prolonged exposure to cold, damp, or drafty environments, rapid warming of cold skin, poor circulation or underlying vascular conditions, thin skin or certain autoimmune disorders, and genetic predisposition.

Chilblains are typically diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. In some cases, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as frostbite, vasculitis, or Raynaud’s phenomenon. If you are experiencing painful red or purple skin patches on your feet after cold exposure, contact the Foot Care Center for professional evaluation and treatment.

Treatment, Prevention, and Long-Term Care

At the Foot Care Center, we provide evaluation and treatment to relieve symptoms, prevent recurrence, and protect overall foot health. Lifestyle and home care measures include keeping feet warm and dry, wearing insulated socks and footwear in cold weather, avoiding rapid changes in temperature, and gently warming affected areas without direct heat.

Medical management may involve topical corticosteroid creams to reduce itching and inflammation, medications that improve circulation such as nifedipine, and wound care for blisters or ulcers to prevent infection. Our specialists tailor treatment based on the severity of your symptoms and any underlying health conditions.

Without treatment, chilblains can lead to skin infections from cracking or blistering, ulcerations that may be slow to heal, persistent pain or discomfort in cold weather, and, in rare cases, permanent skin damage. Addressing symptoms early helps reduce these risks.

Preventing chilblains involves protecting your feet from the cold. Properly fitted shoes, moisture-wicking socks, and avoiding damp environments can greatly reduce the risk. Patients with poor circulation or autoimmune conditions should be especially cautious during winter months.

Chilblains are uncomfortable but treatable when addressed early. With proper foot care and medical support, patients can reduce flare-ups and protect themselves from complications throughout the colder seasons.