to think normal people don't have chilblains

[MitchieInge]

. . . in this day and age? I am like a Victorian pauper :(

also why are they so painful? why?

yep could have tv campaign of small victorian era orphan and elderly widowed grandparent looking sadly at tiny fire while warming their stockinged feet I always used to feel very 'old fashioned' when I got them

You can get ointment for it called 'Snowfire'. It comes in a push up tube and is a lovely green colour. It really does help with the itching and takes the heat out of chilblains as well.

I got diagnosed with chilblains in the autumn. I'd been going to the GP with itchy burning feet for 4 or 5 years. No one seemed to have any idea of the cause and suggested exzema, allergy, sensitive skin etc. Last year one doctor decided it merited further investigation so did blood tests etc. I fianlly saw one of the doctors at the practice who said my purple blotchy feet had chilblains. I wasn't convinced at first when she said to try and keep my feet as warm as possible and wear socks in bed. I tried this and various topical remedies - I found a great one by foot essestials that stops the itching & burning but it's expensive getting through a bottle or more a month. The bedsocks was a good idea - I bought some expensive cashmere ones but they kept falling off, I've now got some nice angora and lambswool ones that are cheaper and stay on my feet.

My GP suggested trying a vasilodilator called Nifedipine and I've tried various dosages and am now on the maximum but the benefits don't seem to be reaching my feet. So I'm not sure the drugs work and I'm not keen on the side effects like the bad headaches.

Agree that buying warm footwear helps - I've got full lambswool lined ankle boots (not uggs) and Celtic sheepskin booties.

I'm just delighted to have a diagnosis and at least I can try and prevent it even if there's no cure. I found my feet are a lot better on holidays in warm climates. Perhaps I should move somewhere warmer...

I grew up where winter lasted 6 months or so, and where it would be -30 regularly

I had never heard of anyone getting chillblains til i came to sunny england...i blame shoddily insulated houses that mean you are never warm, and the damp

it sounds miserable, hope they are better soon

I suffered really badly through my childhood, I know the pain is unbearable and I never found anything to really soothe them. I stopped getting them so much after my first pregnancy as my blood circulation seemed to improve. I do sometimes get them in the summer though. Unfortunately my ds2 suffered with them and there is not much I can do but sympathise and offer sudocreme.

When I was young, many people had chilblains because of the way our houses/flats were heated. We would come in from the cold with cold hands and feet and hold them in front of the fire to warm them up quickly. Our fingers and toes could not cope with the quick change in temperature and the chilblains appeared. Since we had central heating installed in 1969, I've never had a chilblain.

When I was young

Ps we can't stand anything on our feet during a major breakout so socks in bed would be a nightmare. Ds2has to wear his school socks inside out so the seams don't rub on his toes. Where would I get this snowbird stuff. No pharmacist has ever offered it!

Cammoline (sorry crap spelling!) is really soothing - dab it on with cotton wool and wear more layers. I sometimes get them on my knees and thighs when I'm in the middle of sheep lambing and kneeling on damp ground being midwife/catcher/nurse!