What are the symptoms of chilblains?
Chilblains occur several hours after being exposed to the cold. You may get just one chilblain but often several develop. They may join together to form a larger swollen, red area of skin. • Chilblains are very itchy. A burning sensation is also typical. • They are usually red to start with but may become purple. • Pain and tenderness over the chilblains often develops. • In some cases the skin over a chilblain may blister which may delay healing. • Sometimes the skin breaks down to leave a small ulcer which is prone to infection. Each chilblain typically lasts about seven days, and then gradually goes away over a week or so. Some people get recurring bouts of chilblains each winter.
