What's wrong with my toes? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Photos included.

[Suchafunnystory]

It started last summer and all the doctors (GP) I saw seemed to have different opinions on them.

During the warm months they are very itchy and inflamed, if I wear flip flops and the sun heat is on them for a few seconds the pain will start with a vengeance. During the winter months they are better but still slightly swollen but no pain. I used to have straight toes but not any more! :(

The doctors have said maybe Raynauds or chilblains.

I've been reading online and neither seem to fit correctly with my symptoms.

My kidney function is fine, had X-ray last year and that was fine too.

Any ideas?

The most likely diagnosis is chilblains.

Nothing here to suggest SLE (lupus).

There aren't two types of lupus, only SLE. Lupus anticoagulant is tested when th suspicion is of antiphospholipid syndrome. This condition occurs more commonly in lupus.

A negative ANA blood test would effectively rule out SLE.

hello would chilblains get worse in the sun? Hope I had the ANA test last year then.

Thank you auntie

I have negitive ANA but still have a SLE diagnosis.

I have got chilblains and my toes look sometimes like that.
Hopefully nothing to worry about.

Had an appointment for this morning. Going to make note of everything people have noted and hopefully will get some answers.

Interesting coco will be asking for a referral.

They look like chilblains. 99% sure.

To me they also look like chilblains but the OP says her toes used to look straight which means there is more to it than just chilblains. Maybe also arthritis. Hopefully the GP had taken the blood test this morning.

Went to the doctors this morning and he sent me for more blood test and X-ray. He checked my feet circulation with gel and probe and said my feet circulation was very good.

He said it's not raynaulds or chilblains as the pain and inflammation really starts once they see the sun.

Going back to see him on Wednesday as the results should be back by then so hopefully I will get some answers.

My chillbains only hurt when they get warm so I'm not sure how he comes to that diagnosis... Mine are on my thighs though

I can't see any photos. This sounds so similar to my 15 year old daughter. We are waiting for blood tests results and hospital follow up appointment.

But OP many people who have chilblains find they only 'come out' when they are hot. Otherwise they kind of 'lie dormant'.

Sometimes I do wonder about these GPs.....

If you google images of chilblains they look identical to yours.

From the NHS site

Signs and symptoms of chilblains
Chilblains usually develop several hours after exposure to the cold. They typically cause a burning and itching sensation in the affected areas, which can become more intense if you go into a warm room
.
The affected skin may also swell and turn red or dark blue. In severe cases, the surface of the skin may break and sores or blisters can develop.

It's important not to scratch the skin as it can break easily and become infected.

When to seek medical advice
Most people don't need to seek medical advice if they have chilblains as they usually heal within a few weeks and don't cause any permanent problems.
However, you should see your GP or chiropodist for advice if you have severe or recurring chilblains, or if they don't improve within a few weeks. You should also seek medical advice if you think your skin may have become infected.

What causes chilblains?
Chilblains are the result of an abnormal reaction to the cold.
When the skin is cold, blood vessels near its surface get narrower. If the skin is then exposed to heat, the blood vessels become wider.
If this happens too quickly, blood can leak into the surrounding tissue. This is thought to be the reason for the swelling and itchiness associated with chilblains.
Chilblains can occur at any age, but are more common in children and elderly people. The condition also affects women more than men. Certain people, such as people with poor circulation, are more susceptible to the condition.
Chilblains are common in the UK because damp, cold weather is usual in the winter. Some people develop chilblains every winter that last for several months.

auntie I thought you could only have chilblains on your feet and hands, shows how much I know hey! Intersting what your saying about how it also hurts when it's warm. My toes don't hurt if they're warm, only if the sun is actually shining on them.

I won't know for definite until the results come back, if it shows up anything.

sassy the photos are there now, but weren't earlier. Not sure why not. By looking at the photos do they look similar? Has the doctor given your DD any ideas what it could be? Hope she is ok and not in too much pain.

pink just googled and you are right there are several photos that are near identical to mine! Thank you for all the info. I will feel a bit stupid now if it turns out to be chilblains...I even had an 'emergency' appointment to see the doctor this morning!

Dd15 has been suffering with her feet since last summer. They started swelling and are painful. When she has a shower she gets a rash on her feet that travels up her legs. Really strange. The consultant has said he has not seen anything like it before. Her feet are always freezing cold. He did say it could be Raynaulds with an allergy thing going on. He has prescribed a stronger anti histamine and we go back in a few weeks. She has had lots of bloods taken and one was for ANA although he didn't say anything to us . Checking for lupus maybe ?
I don't know how to load photos from my iPhone ??.

Worked it out. Taken over a few weeks

OP I am actually more shocked that your GP can't recognise a chilblain when he /she sees one.

I wonder if this is a generational thing?

In the 'old days' lots of people had them because houses were colder due to no central heating and people worked outside more.

One of my DCs got them for the first time at uni because their digs were so cold.

I bet you my last pound they are chilblains- certainly doesn't warrant a precious hospital appt.

OP - I get them on my thighs as I'm out in all weathers for hours at a time. I wear good coats, gloves and long boots that are neoprene lined. Unfortunately my coat line ends level with my thighs so this is the area that gets exposed. This year I've had a long coat and no chill blanes :)

I know the weather is warm now so not so relevant but if you go to a skiing, climbing or hiking store they usually sell silk socks and gloves. They are really thin but incredibly warm when worn under your normal socks :)

I've just been diagnosed with chillblains and raynauds and my toes look exactly like yours. The prickly hot, sore, itchy feeling only happens when my feet get warm and my god it's uncomfy!! I had a circulation test on my feet too and was checked for nerve damage. My circulation is at the lower range of normal and I've been advised to keep my feet as warm as possible even during the summer.

It might be worth visiting the Raynauds website as it gives good advice on caring for your feet if you suffer from chillblains and also how to prevent them in the future.

Are you clawing your toes when you walk? One of the pictures makes it look like you are...

Oh wait, that's sassy's dd. oops

sassy thank you for the photos! it does look very painful with your DD. Have they been like that all winter too?

Last summer I had slight swelling and redness travelling up mid calf but then stopped as soon the weather changed...but they weren't like that everyday. Haven't had nothing this year yet and hopefully I won't. They didn't look as bad as your DD though, although they were noticeable enough for people to notice.

The GP I saw yesterday was near retirement, maybe because my kidney levels haven't been right he's looking into it? Although last kidney levels were fine.

Would chilblains pain be different in hands and toes? I've had chilblains in my hands years ago when I was home farming and this pain does feel different. That was 15+ years ago, maybe I just can't remember! The photos of chilblains are near identical to mine

I only have the pain when the sun is on them, I have no pain if they're warm...even if I have my feet by the fire I have no pain.

Maybe your skin on your feet is very sensitive to UV rays? Might be worth using sunscreen and see if that makes any difference.
Could be a UV allergy along with chilblians

Pink frocks, I'm following you around the board today. A lot of younger GPs don't recognise chillblains. If I see any I always bring the trainees in to see them. they do look like chillblains.

Did you ever get an answer on this OP?