Many Raynaud’s sufferers are prone to chilblains. These are small, itchy and painful reddish blue swellings which develop on the fingers and toes when the skin cools down, causing the tiny blood vessels to constrict severely. Because of the poor blood supply, these chilblains sometimes don’t heal very quickly and can become infected.
If your chilblains aren’t broken you can use an ointment such as Balmosa which can be bought inexpensively in a chemist. This will help to increase the blood supply to the area. You just rub a small amount into the top of your toe and that will increase the blood supply. If the chilblains break, you have to be careful that you are not going to get them infected, so they have to be dressed regularly. You should see your G.P. or chiropodist to see what can be done specifically for your chilblains. Most chiropodists will look at a chilblain and know what it is. When you see a chilblain on your foot it gets quite a hard skin over it. The corns that you sometimes get in those areas can be either the result of the chilblain or they can cause the chilblain because it is a pressure area.
Chilblains can be treated by wearing warm socks and keeping your feet at an even temperature. Do not use a hot water bottle in bed, and when you put your slippers on, try and warm them so they are a nice even temperature. If you walk from a carpeted area onto tiles, for example in a bathroom, you are getting the feet cold, then if you take a shower the change in temperature again causes the blood to come rushing in because it is warm, then gets cut off on a cold floor. If your hands and feet get very cold, do not put them on the nearest radiator or directly in front of the gas fire - always reheat them slowly, as too much heat too quickly can cause damage and considerable pain.
To download our leaflet on Chilblains click here.
