Chilblain is more common in the elderly, children, women, and those with poor peripheral blood circulation. People who do not love exercise may sometimes develop chilblains due to poor microcirculation. The occurrence of chilblain is due to poor blood circulation, and the skin of peripheral areas (such as fingers, toes, ears, nose tips, etc.) cannot receive good blood supply, which can easily lead to redness, hardening, swelling, flowing water, necrosis, and other phenomena. In recent years, there is also a special type of chilblain that occurs in the fat rich areas of young girls such as their thighs and buttocks. These people like to wear very thin pants in winter. If they work outdoors for a long time, over time, local vascular inflammation may occur due to poor peripheral circulation, leading to frostbite.
To prevent chilblain, the first step is to keep warm, especially paying attention to keeping hands, feet, ears, and other areas warm. Don’t wear overly tight shoes, socks, and gloves in winter. Strengthening physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, helps improve blood circulation and is also beneficial for the recovery of chilblains.
If frostbite occurs, it should not be soaked in hot water. The temperature of the affected area should be gradually increased, and warm water at 37-40 degrees Celsius (equivalent to human body temperature) can be used to soak the affected area. If there is no ulceration, apply some chilblain cream. If there is ulceration, apply lard and honey (3:7). If there is an infection or severe frostbite, it is important to seek treatment promptly from the hospital’s dermatology or surgery department.
Patients who love to develop chilblains may try soaking 5-10g of red chili or Sichuan peppercorns, 1000ml of boiling water, hands, feet, and other areas prone to chilblains in autumn, twice a day for 15 minutes each time. Alternatively, massaging hands and feet with safflower oil daily can also improve microcirculation. Starting from summer, soaking hands and feet in cold water for 10 minutes or even half an hour every day can greatly reduce the recurrence rate in winter that year. Finally, attention should also be paid to exercising the body, enhancing physical fitness, and improving personal adaptability to the cold.
