Chilblains, also known as pernio, are a condition in which small blood vessels in the skin become inflamed and swollen in response to cold temperatures. They typically affect the fingers, toes, ears, and nose, and can cause redness, itching, pain, and sometimes blisters or ulcers. Chilblains can often be prevented by keeping affected areas warm and avoiding sudden temperature changes, and treatment may include applying warm, moist compresses and using topical corticosteroid creams to relieve symptoms.

No one knows exactly what causes chilblains. They may be an abnormal reaction of your body to cold exposure followed by rewarming. Rewarming of cold skin can cause small blood vessels under the skin to expand more quickly than nearby larger blood vessels can handle. This results in a bottleneck effect and the blood leaking into nearby tissues.

To prevent chilblains:

• Avoid or limit your exposure to cold.
• Dress in layers of loose clothing and wear mittens and warm, water-resistant footwear.
• Cover all exposed skin as completely as possible when going outside in cold weather.
• Keep your hands, feet and face dry and warm.
• Keep your home and workplace comfortably warm.
• Don't smoke.

If your skin is exposed to cold, it's helpful to rewarm it gradually because sudden rewarming of cold skin may worsen chilblains.

The first line of treatment for chilblains generally includes measures to keep hands and feet warm and dry, such as keeping your indoor environment warm and dry, using gloves and socks, and changing damp gloves and socks when needed.

If your chilblains don't clear up with these home remedies, your doctor may recommend medication, including:

• Nifedipine (Procardia). This type of blood pressure medication treats chilblains by helping to open up blood vessels and improve circulation. Side effects may include flushing, nausea, dizziness and swelling in the hands or feet.
• A topical corticosteroid. Applying a corticosteroid cream to chilblains may help the lesions go away.