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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if there is a way to get rid of chilblains

19 replies

Ribboninthesky · 15/01/2021 21:44

Every year for as long as I can remember I’ve had a chilblain on every toe, between November and March. I don’t work outside but I do run, which probably doesn’t help.

It feels like I’ve tried all the remedies and whilst some provide relief none have cured me. I’ve tried; Balmosa, snowfire, zambuk. I’ve put my feet in boiling hot water and covered them in distilled witch hazel. I’ve invested in slipper socks and spend a fortune on Uggs to wear inside but every winter my feet remain a painful, itchy mess.

AIBU to ask; what am I missing? Is there a cure or is this just my life now?

OP posts:
Scaredykittycat · 15/01/2021 21:46

I wish. I suffer even in April!

Elouera · 15/01/2021 21:47

Do you have raynauds syndrome? Have you ever been checked for the auto-immune conditions associated with raynauds?

I assume you've had your usual bloods checked which can cause cold feet? Thyroid issues, anaemia, low Vit D etc?

Scaredykittycat · 15/01/2021 21:48

Posted too soon.

I wear thermal socks all the time plus slippers indoors (wooden floors). I will still get them but I haven’t had a new one for about a month now. Just the one battle scars of the ones from before.

Original poster
Ribboninthesky · 15/01/2021 21:52

I had my bloods checked a few years ago and had low ferritin but nothing else. It mainly caused my hair to fall out!

It’s the pain that bothers me the most. In the mornings my toes are so swollen I can only hobble until they warm up.

OP posts:
gluenotsoup · 15/01/2021 21:54

Yes! I know this works because I do it, it’s the best relief I have found in years, but sounds like a tall tale. Years ago, my grandparents had a very old book full of all sorts of random information, and this was in there, so possibly a hundred year old cure. Buy a full head of celery- yes really- boil it up until cooked, strain and throw away the celery, but keep the cooking water. Then, while it’s bath water warm put your feet in it for a bit of a soak. Keep the celery juice in a sealable tub, reheat and reuse for a couple of days till they go! It’s a bit smelly and very ridiculous but somehow works! Strange but trueSmile

Prufrocks · 15/01/2021 21:59

@gluenotsoup

Yes! I know this works because I do it, it’s the best relief I have found in years, but sounds like a tall tale. Years ago, my grandparents had a very old book full of all sorts of random information, and this was in there, so possibly a hundred year old cure. Buy a full head of celery- yes really- boil it up until cooked, strain and throw away the celery, but keep the cooking water. Then, while it’s bath water warm put your feet in it for a bit of a soak. Keep the celery juice in a sealable tub, reheat and reuse for a couple of days till they go! It’s a bit smelly and very ridiculous but somehow works! Strange but trueSmile
Op you must try this and report back.

(Never had chilblains but so intrigued)

CoddledAsAMommet · 15/01/2021 22:02

Mine are nowhere near as bad as yours but Ive found keeping my feet an even temperature has really helped. So the idea of putting them in boiling water sounds horrendous! Just keeping them not too hot /not too cold has really helped. There's lots of putting on and taking off of socks and slippers as I go from room to room or the heating goes on etc but it seems to have worked.

Brenna24 · 15/01/2021 22:05

I have never had them but they sound awful. I hope that you find something that works (I am also dying for you to try the celery cure).

Potaytocrisps · 15/01/2021 22:13

I don't if this works but if they're so bad you might be desperate enough, my gran said soaking my feet in (my own!) wee would help. I never did it, just used Snowfire and scratched them nonstop.
I think I got them from wearing tights to school, my feet were freezing all day then I'd put them on the fireplace as soon as I got home instead of warming up gradually.

Original poster
Ribboninthesky · 15/01/2021 22:23

Ok going out to buy celery tomorrow...

OP posts:
maras2 · 16/01/2021 04:50

My Grandma swore by soaking her feet in the urine left in her kid's / young adults guzzunders after they'd been used overnight. Envy not envy.
Mind you that was in the 1930/40's and they had no indoor toilet. Smile

Niffler2019 · 16/01/2021 05:16

I don't get them anymore but used to suffer with them. I have found keeping my feet at an even temperature works. I wear thermal socks during the day and slippers if they're still cold to stop my feet becoming too cold. When I suffered I used to go to bed with a hot water bottle for my feet when they were cold but I stopped doing this when I read its best not to let feet go from cold to hot. I haven't suffered since

DramaAlpaca · 16/01/2021 05:23

@maras2

My Grandma swore by soaking her feet in the urine left in her kid's / young adults guzzunders after they'd been used overnight. Envy not envy. Mind you that was in the 1930/40's and they had no indoor toilet. Smile
My grandmother said exactly the same. We lived in a house with no central heating and got chilblains all the time in winter. We were encouraged to pee in a potty then soak our toes. I was a fastidious child and couldn't be persuaded, but Nan absolutely swore by it for curing chilblains. And this was in the late 60s!
melonhead · 16/01/2021 05:38

I had chilblains and the only thing that worked was pure lanolin - I used lansinoh left from breastfeeding and it worked quite quickly.

Belledan1 · 16/01/2021 05:56

I noticed mine have started again since the cold weather has come as I have more baths instead of showers and I do have my baths very hot. Mine are only quite minor so liveable. Hope you find a solution.

CovidCakeConundrum · 16/01/2021 06:10

I used to get them on my outer thighs believe it or not- Only seen on the hardiest of stable lasses! They were awful, open woulds by the end of the winter.

Turned out I was doing the worst thing possible my running in from the sold and sitting next to the fire.

Drastic temperature changes make them worse so you need to only ever gradually reheat your feet and if possible stop them getting cold at night.

Perhaps a single electric blanket on very low along the bottom of your bed? Or 3 pairs of super thermal socks. Unfortunately once you've had them you're really susceptible.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 16/01/2021 06:12

I agree with pp , as I child me & my brother & sister suffered terribly, but one of our neighbours said , wee in a bowl & soak your feet , she said it had to be your own urine . It worked , we never suffered again . Don’t be squeamish , it really will work .

TheVamoosh · 16/01/2021 06:14

Agree about keeping feet an even (warm) temperature. Mine get worse when I shower too hot, when I sit in front of a fireplace and when I'm wearing thin socks.

RonObvious · 16/01/2021 06:26

What always worked for me was scrubbing them with a body brush. Hurt like a bugger, but they would go away - gets the circulation working again, I think. I haven’t had them in a few years now though.

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