Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsRisk FactorsComplicationsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Complications
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Chilblains(also known as perniosis) are small bumps or patches of skin that can become inflamed, red, or itchy after you’ve been exposed to the cold. Unlike skin damage fromfrostbite, chilblains are a rareinflammatory vascular conditionthat don’t usually cause permanent damage or discoloration.
Not everyone develops chilblains in the cold. This article will review what you can expect if you develop chilblains, what they feel like, how to treat them, and how long it will take them to go away.
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The primary symptoms of chilblains are red, bluish, or purple skin lesions that appear after exposure to cold, damp environments. These patches form because of an abnormal small blood vessel reaction to the cold.
Beyond discoloration, you may experience symptoms like:
Symptoms usually appear 12–24 hours after exposure to the cold and affect the lower legs, toes, feet, hands, and face. Lesions typically resolve in a few weeks but could cause scarring or thickening of the skin that remains for several years.
How Chilblains FormWhen small veins and arteries are exposed to cold weather, they tighten up (constrict), which is a common reaction to the cold. In people who get chilblains, as the tissues rewarm, blood leaks out of theblood vesselsand into the surrounding tissues. This causes swelling, nerve irritation, and pain.
How Chilblains Form
When small veins and arteries are exposed to cold weather, they tighten up (constrict), which is a common reaction to the cold. In people who get chilblains, as the tissues rewarm, blood leaks out of theblood vesselsand into the surrounding tissues. This causes swelling, nerve irritation, and pain.
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There are some known risk factors for developing chilblains, but the causes are sometimes unknown. More women develop chilblains than men, and they usually develop in young adults or middle-aged people, while children and older adults are rarely affected. The most common risk factors are:
Chilblains can develop as a standalone condition or as a secondary symptom of another disease. Lesions associated with chilblains are often confused for symptoms of different diseases, including:
Chilblains usually resolve on their own but may develop again with exposure to cold temperatures. In most cases, chilblain lesions fade or disappear within weeks, but in rare cases, they can linger for years.
Blister-like lesions that are rubbed or irritated may scab over, formulcers, or become infected. Chilblains can also causescarringin people who heal slowly or are continually exposed to the cold.
Chilblains typically go away on their own within two to three weeks, and treatment is not usually necessary.Here are some steps you can take to find relief while you wait for them to clear:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf your pain is severe, if you think you are developing an infection, or if your symptoms haven’t improved within one to two weeks, call your provider to discuss additional treatment options.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your pain is severe, if you think you are developing an infection, or if your symptoms haven’t improved within one to two weeks, call your provider to discuss additional treatment options.
In severe or complicated cases, a healthcare provider may recommend treatment with medications such as:
Wearing warm clothing that keeps your skin dry can help prevent chilblains. Quitting smoking and avoiding caffeine can help too since both can impair your circulation and increase your risk of developing chilblains.
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Summary
A Word From Verywell
Chilblains can be an uncomfortable side effect of cold, damp weather, but they are not usually permanent and rarely require any treatment. If you or someone in your family has developed red or bluish patches after being in the cold, take extra care to dress in waterproof, warm clothing if you plan to be in the cold again.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCold weather causes chilblains. A number of conditions or diseases can increase your chances of developing these lesions, but they can also occur on their own.Learn MoreFrostbite and Other Cold-Weather Foot ConditionsChilblains usually go away with no treatment at all. However, if you are exposed to the cold for long periods of time or develop an ulcer or infection from a chilblain, chilblains can take months to heal or even leave scars.Learn MoreHow to Treat FrostbiteChilblains usually appear 12–24 hours after cold exposure and last for a week or two. In rare cases, they may take years to resolve and scars could form in place of the lesions. Healing may take longer if you develop ulcers, infections, or continue to be exposed to the cold after developing chilblains.Learn MoreAn Overview of Skin Ulcers
Cold weather causes chilblains. A number of conditions or diseases can increase your chances of developing these lesions, but they can also occur on their own.Learn MoreFrostbite and Other Cold-Weather Foot Conditions
Cold weather causes chilblains. A number of conditions or diseases can increase your chances of developing these lesions, but they can also occur on their own.
Learn MoreFrostbite and Other Cold-Weather Foot Conditions
Chilblains usually go away with no treatment at all. However, if you are exposed to the cold for long periods of time or develop an ulcer or infection from a chilblain, chilblains can take months to heal or even leave scars.Learn MoreHow to Treat Frostbite
Chilblains usually go away with no treatment at all. However, if you are exposed to the cold for long periods of time or develop an ulcer or infection from a chilblain, chilblains can take months to heal or even leave scars.
Learn MoreHow to Treat Frostbite
Chilblains usually appear 12–24 hours after cold exposure and last for a week or two. In rare cases, they may take years to resolve and scars could form in place of the lesions. Healing may take longer if you develop ulcers, infections, or continue to be exposed to the cold after developing chilblains.Learn MoreAn Overview of Skin Ulcers
Chilblains usually appear 12–24 hours after cold exposure and last for a week or two. In rare cases, they may take years to resolve and scars could form in place of the lesions. Healing may take longer if you develop ulcers, infections, or continue to be exposed to the cold after developing chilblains.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Skin Ulcers
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cardenas-de la Garza JA, et al.Chilblain lupus erythematosus associated with systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus,Rheumatology.February 2021; 60(2):988. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa385.Nyssen A, et al.Chilblains.Vasa. March 2020; 49(2). doi:10.1024/0301-1526/a000838National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.Kashetsky N, Mukovozov IM, Bergman J.Chilblain-Like Lesions (CLL) Associated With COVID-19 (“COVID Toes”): A Systematic Review.J Cutan Med Surg. 2021;25(6):627-633. doi:10.1177/12034754211004575National Health Service.Chilblains.Sparrow.Chilblains.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cardenas-de la Garza JA, et al.Chilblain lupus erythematosus associated with systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus,Rheumatology.February 2021; 60(2):988. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa385.Nyssen A, et al.Chilblains.Vasa. March 2020; 49(2). doi:10.1024/0301-1526/a000838National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.Kashetsky N, Mukovozov IM, Bergman J.Chilblain-Like Lesions (CLL) Associated With COVID-19 (“COVID Toes”): A Systematic Review.J Cutan Med Surg. 2021;25(6):627-633. doi:10.1177/12034754211004575National Health Service.Chilblains.Sparrow.Chilblains.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cardenas-de la Garza JA, et al.Chilblain lupus erythematosus associated with systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus,Rheumatology.February 2021; 60(2):988. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa385.Nyssen A, et al.Chilblains.Vasa. March 2020; 49(2). doi:10.1024/0301-1526/a000838National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.Kashetsky N, Mukovozov IM, Bergman J.Chilblain-Like Lesions (CLL) Associated With COVID-19 (“COVID Toes”): A Systematic Review.J Cutan Med Surg. 2021;25(6):627-633. doi:10.1177/12034754211004575National Health Service.Chilblains.Sparrow.Chilblains.
Cardenas-de la Garza JA, et al.Chilblain lupus erythematosus associated with systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus,Rheumatology.February 2021; 60(2):988. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa385.
Nyssen A, et al.Chilblains.Vasa. March 2020; 49(2). doi:10.1024/0301-1526/a000838
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Perniosis.
Kashetsky N, Mukovozov IM, Bergman J.Chilblain-Like Lesions (CLL) Associated With COVID-19 (“COVID Toes”): A Systematic Review.J Cutan Med Surg. 2021;25(6):627-633. doi:10.1177/12034754211004575
National Health Service.Chilblains.
Sparrow.Chilblains.
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