Chilblains

Yesterday evening, after my gym workout, my toes started to itch severely and became mildly inflamed. A few days ago, I noticed that my toes ached but thought it was just from the new boots. Then, I was told I probably have chilblains. Chilblains? What is that? So I decided to do a bit of research.

Chilblains is a cold-related injury (not involving freezing) resulting from damaged blood vessels exposed to cold & humidity. It happens more commonly in temperate humid climates. According to one research, “susceptibility to chilblains increases when ambient temperature is less than 10 deg Celsius and relative humidity is more than 60%.” Hmmm, why does humidity play a role here?

What’s the cause of it? Well, it may be idiopathic, meaning, the cause is unknown, or I may have poor circulation, which is probable. My extremities are always cold when room temperature is around 22 deg Celsius. That is why I take supplements that are suppose to improve my circulation.

Right now, my toes still itch & I have been scratching them. Advise from the internet is to avoid scratching them (yeah, right) and keeping them warm…better go put on my thick socks.

So I have chilblains. Does that increase my susceptibility to frostbite, which is a cold-related injury involving freezing? I have yet to find that answer.

Reference:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilblain
2. http://www.epodiatry.com/chilblains.htm
3. Onset of chilblains in relation with weather conditions. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2008 Apr-Jun;20(2):17-20. www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/PAST/20-2/Naeem.pdf
4. Frostbite, Chilblains, and Trench Foot http://www.medicinenet.com/frostbite/article.htm#chil