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Original poster

CHILBLAINS. FFS.

48 replies

LitralViolins · 13/12/2022 15:24

What is this, 'A Christmas Carol'?? Have I timeslipped back to Dickensian times? Am I Tiny Tim??

I am wearing fingerless gloves indoors and I have bloody chilblains! The fingers on my right hand (my computer mouse hand, obvs) have swollen right up and are itching like buggers.

Yesterday it cost almost a tenner to have the heating on for a few hours. Ugh. I'm so sick of this. Anyone else just want to have a RANT about stupid heating costs and stupid cost of living and WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY DECENT EGGS IN ASDA!

Grrr. <<itch>>

OP posts:
Brbreeze · 13/12/2022 15:28

I sympathise. Worst chilblains I've had on my hands were the first covid winter. I'm fairly sure the main reason was constant hand washing (in too hot water!) and manual washing up as our dishwasher broke.

Fingerless gloves sound like a good idea and when they do get cold try to avoid the temptation to warm them too quickly.

Original poster
LitralViolins · 13/12/2022 15:34

They're the pits, aren't they? I've always had rubbish circulation in my hands and feet but chilblains, ugh. SO painful and annoying.

Honestly, I feel like a Victorian orphan. On the sofa, swathed in blankets, gloves on, scarf on. It's fucking ridiculous.

OP posts:
BucketofTeaMassiveCake · 13/12/2022 15:42

This is going to sound disgusting to modern ears but here goes. My dear old mum always said that if you wee on the affected parts it'll cure chilblains which sounds like a terrible old wives' tale but I can tell you that it does work.

I always meant to ask her if you were meant to rinse it off or let it dry (yes, I know) but never got round to it. Apparently I used to get terrible chilblains as a baby but I obviously don't remember that. I've not had them since. What have you got to lose?

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Roundaboot · 13/12/2022 15:45

I feel your pain (literally!) I get chilblains in my fingers every winter, and also wear a pair of fingerless gloves when working at the laptop.
I've had them for a few years and I'm getting better at managing them (keeping my hands as warm as much as possible and if they do get cold, letting them warm up slowly) but there doesn't seem to be a way of avoiding them completely.

Grunch · 13/12/2022 15:46

Chilblains, scarlet fever, no central heating, no antibiotics and an egg shortage, oh and strikes on major services. It certainly doesn't feel like progress. I feel a Christmas ghost story coming on, with Rishi Sunak haunted by the ghosts of austerity Britain, and culminating with a family like the Cratchetts getting a Trussel Trust Christmas dinner and a hamper of presents from the Salvation Army, because Rishi Sunak doesn't personally know anyone poor enough for direct charity.

I'm sorry for your chilblains, I hope they heal soon ❤️‍🩹

Original poster
LitralViolins · 13/12/2022 15:50

I appreciate the chilblain sympathy and am selfishly glad I'm not alone!

Still, at least it's not rickets (yet)

OP posts:
Original poster
LitralViolins · 13/12/2022 15:52

@BucketofTeaMassiveCake I have also heard about the wee - think it's the urea? It's not at all tempting but if the itch gets too bad...

OP posts:
declutteringmymind · 13/12/2022 15:54

Urea cream perhaps?

gluenotsoup · 13/12/2022 15:57

Chilblains on toes here too! I get them every year though, I think once you get them they keep coming back 😬

SecretVictoria · 13/12/2022 15:57

Snowfire ointment (well, like a stick in a tube) will sort them out.

BucketofTeaMassiveCake · 13/12/2022 16:02

They shouldn't come back if you wee on 'em gluenotsoup honestly. Go on, give it a go - get in the shower and do the necessary.

I dare you - then report back your findings. Treat it as research for the greater good.

DarkKarmaIlama · 13/12/2022 16:19

My 11 year old daughter currently has them 😢.

OddBoots · 13/12/2022 16:24

I got them last year for the first time and we had 'normal' heating then. Last winter was my first since having COVID and given the clotting issues they have found can be a long termr result of COVID and things like 'covid toes' I do wonder if it is related. I have them again this year but they are better now I am making sure I don't warm my hands on a hot mug.

PenelopeTitsDrop3121 · 13/12/2022 16:27

I've been getting them.on the toes of my right foot for a couple of winters now :( Also have Raynaud's:(

Reindeersnooker · 13/12/2022 16:27

I treat with a layer of Vaseline. It doesn't sound like it will work but it's surprisingly effective. And not getting too cold obviously, or heating up quickly.

merlotlover · 13/12/2022 16:36

Ouch 🤕 would those gloves you can use a smart phone with work?

helpmeouttahere · 13/12/2022 18:55

i found vicks worked! before putting on ur socks .. touch wood this is the first year i've not had them ..

SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 18:59

Chilblains have been the winter bane of my life since I was a child - hate them with a passion. Fortunately none on my feet this year but I have four huge ones on my right hand that are bloody sore.

C102 · 13/12/2022 19:00

How swollen do you fingers get? I've had red chilblain lumps on my fingers for three years every winter, plus they get massively swollen but my GP said it definitely wasn't chilblains. I can barely close my fist sometimes.

C102 · 13/12/2022 19:00

Oh and I have Raynauds too

SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 19:03

Mine don’t swell up as such, I just get big red lumps. I accidentally knocked one against the tap earlier and just about went through the roof with the pain.

Bourbanbiscuit · 13/12/2022 19:06

I remember how painful they were on my toes, used to wee in a pot and dip my toes in, revolting bit always worked

SirChenjins · 13/12/2022 19:09

I might try the wee - how long do you have to leave them in it for?

Thighdentitycrisis · 13/12/2022 19:11

Sending chilblain sympathy OP

I used to get them badly on my feet as a child but have never had them on my hands. I remember sobbing with pain. Lucky for me I have never suffered as an adult and think it’s because avoid warming up too fast. If I did though would deffo try the home remedy!