Chilblains can be a very frequent problem of the feet in colder climates. They are nearly unknown in warmer environments. They are a painful response of the blood circulation in the toes after a foot is cold and is heated up too rapidly. Because of this issue with the blood circulation not responding, there is an inflammatory reaction resulting in small red-colored and itchy skin lesions on the toes. If the problem becomes more persistent the skin takes on a painful darker discolouration because waste elements build up.

The ideal treatment of chilblains is preventing them. Initially, use good hosiery and shoes so that the foot does not get too cold. If the foot does get cold do not stick it in from of the heat source so that it gets warm too quickly. The foot must be allowed to warm up slowly and gradually so the circulation has time to get used to the alterations in temperature. After a chilblain does develop it should be protected in order that it will get better, particularly if the skin is broken. Keep it covered to guard it from trauma from the footwear. Soothing chilblain creams can be used to stimulate the circulation and help remove the waste products that have accumulated in the skin which are creating the inflammation and congestion. Care also needs to be taken to protect against further chilblains developing, so the strategies that ought to be used to prevent them should be used even more. You can easily develop another one before the first one has healed up turning this into a chronic condition. If the local measures to look after the chilblains don't help, there are some drugs a doctor can recommend which you can use to open up the circulation. The drugs are not unique to the feet and work everywhere, so can be restricted to the more severe conditions. In the very most severe chilblains, it is not uncommon that they can be given suggestion to move and live in warmer climates.