Chilblains are an abnormal reaction of the little arteries within the skin to variations in temperatures. This abnormal response produces a painful reddish colored itchy patch which subsequently turns a darkish bluish color since waste material accumulate. They are more common in the colder climates.
Generally when the feet become colder, the little arteries in the skin close-up to conserve heat after which when the skin is warmed up next those little arteries open. That is a normal process.
Every time a chilblain occurs those smaller arteries for some not known cause stay closed down longer than they need to as the epidermis heats up. Consequently the metabolic requirements of your skin just isn't getting satisfied by the blood flow coming from those smaller arteries. After that, typically, the arteries will speedily open up resulting in a red patch on the epidermis connected with the inflammatory reaction. With the release of inflamation related mediators that lesion on the skin becomes itching and painful. As the metabolites in the epidermis build-up from this process it shifts to a darker shade. This tends to at some point heal up. It will become chronic if another chilblain occurs because of repeated cold exposures but not taking precautionary actions.
Chilblains usually are not caused by “cold”; they're the result of a too fast warming up of the foot after it's cold and the blood vessels that were constricted aren't given time to open by slowly and gradually warming up the feet. Poor circulation isn't the cause of chilblains, but its how the circulation responds to alterations in temperatures that's the problem. A great deal of younger people with good blood circulation get chilblains.
Preventing chilblains is simply by to start with not getting cool after which should you get cold to let the foot to warm-up slowly and gradually. The treatment of chilblains should be to protect the area and stimulate the blood circulation and stop another one from occurring.