Leota

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chilblains/DS01091
this give the definition of what chilbains are and what the typical treatments are.

My prayers are with you for relief and effective treatment. Could accupressure/accupuncture possibly help with the circulation problems?

earthwalker

You really need to keep your feet warm and dry and make sure your toes are not squashed into shoes during the day. Epsom salts baths really will help, as will foot exercises (keep your socks on) use a tennis ball or similar and roll it around with your feet (if you work you can do this at your desk). Check with your pharmacist about creams that may help. Also, please go and see your GP....feet are precious (they hold us up all our lives), poor circulation can be an indicator of other problems. Chilblains can get ulcerated and that can be serious. If you are a diabetic or borderline diabetic get yourself to the Doctor pronto.

Enough of the lecture....I do feel for you (I have a nasty form of arthritis which often affects my feet and toes), so I know how miserable it can be:) Hope you feel better soon.

mamahippychicky

Thanks guys, I will get some Epsom salts tomorrow.

The chilblains are actually on my fingers... we moved in a hurry after the feb earthquake wrecked our house and I can't find a lot of things, including my gloves. I'm not too keen to go shopping in a mall after our 6.3 mag aftershock on Monday, but think I have to.

Wish me luck :)

jitkaau

Are you in NZ if you are in earthquake? Hope everything is OK for you to not have to many rapid temperature changes. If you keep your affected areas at a comfortable heat, not to hot or cold it should help. Get yourself checked out for diabetes as well as poor circulation can make you more prone to chillblains and poor circulation is a symptom of diabetes.Hope you have some success.

olebat

My husband is affected in his hands. At night, a glass of Sherry helps with the diffusion. Other times he takes niacin. It's OTC here. One of my students (14 yr. old) Jumps rope to get the circulation going, but she has Raynauds's syndrome. Same treatment - peripheral vascular circulation.

Emma S

My son cycles so with the win chill and the winter cold he gets them fairly often. We found that either caldryl or calamine (sp) work almost at once for relief. Of course this is after the damage has been done, prevention would be best of course, but can't keep him off the bike in the winter.

thrums

Good wool socks help tremendously. I'm sure you can find a knitter who can make them for you. The key is to select a sock wool that is not scratchy. It's a good investment.

Try to find some lightweight wool socks to put in your dress boots when you are out and about (and wearing hose.)

Zephyr

I don't know what that is but we use Sarna for itching. There is one for sensitive skin (which doesn't have an odor) and one for regular (which has a slight medicinal odor). Over the counter at the drug store.

Phyllis nm

You might try red “Tiger Balm” from a health store it has red chili in it and heats up, wear socks. The yellow will not stain.

writerwomen

From the Mayo clinic website:
Chilblains
Chilblains are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to sudden warming from cold temperatures. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on extremities, such as on your toes, fingers, ears and nose.

Chilblains usually respond well to treatment and clear up within one to three weeks, though they may recur seasonally for years. Treatments typically consist of lotions and medication. While Chilblains don't usually result in permanent injury, they can lead to infection, which may cause severe damage if left untreated.

The best approach to chilblains is to avoid developing them by limiting your exposure to cold, dressing warmly and covering exposed skin.