Abstract

Chilblains occur mainly during the winter in temperate climates and are precipitated by cold, especially damp or wet cold above freezing point.^{1 2} They most often affect the fingers, the toes and heels, the backs of the hands, the ears and sometimes the tip of the nose. In young women the lower legs are a special site of election. Sedentary workers tend to get them on their hands and those who work standing get them on the feet or legs.³ The symptoms are itching and pain, and the signs a bright red colour, followed by swelling and cyanosis. Later, in mild cases, there is scaling, and in severe ones blistering, ulceration and scarring. Most chilblains clear completely in warmer weather, but severe and chronic lesions can produce permanent injury.