Chillblains hell.

[Lilliea]

I have chillblains. I wear warm socks, warm shoes, try not to go from cold to hot too quickly. I still get them. I spend hours outdoors every day. I need some relief. It's moved from my toes to include my heels now. It's not that sore, but the itch is so intense. It stops me sleeping just trying not to itch. Has anyone found anything that can relieve the itch once it's started?

Bumping in the hope that someone can help before I amputate

You have my sympathise. Chilblains are the reason I didn't get the electric blanket out this winter. Always, always get them when I use it.

There are creams you can get now to use and take an antihistamine.

I sleep with my feet out of the bed as if I keep them under the covers the burning starts. It's so, so awful. I've googled creams but would love, if anyone has used them, some tried and tested suggestions!

They're awful. I wear two pairs of socks, Sorrel snow boots, and pre-warm the socks and boots on the radiator before going out. I also limit time outside when it's sub zero but that may not be possible for you.

It's not sadly. I'm outside 3-6+ hours a day!

I've found the foot warmers help. They last 6-8 hours, and I place under my foot, towards the toes when I'm outside for long periods.

Sounds amazing. Do you have a link to which ones you mean?

Hi OP, following.

I went to the GP about my chilblains but he just suggested raynauds medication. I do have raynauds but didn't want to take the medication, I literally wanted to know how to treat the chillblains.

I have realised mine are much better if I don't wear socks and I do wear leather trainers. My toes have room to move and don't overheat. They are much much worse if I wear socks with my trainers. I work in a school though so leather trainers are abs fine.

I hate the burning hot feet at night though. Even in midwinter I sometimes have to put my feet in the cold tap before I get into bed.

OP if you are outdoors, have you considered neoprene wellies with a sheepskin insole? This is what I used when DC were doing sport.

These are in a multi pack on Amazon. You can also pick them up in pairs in Decathlon and B&M.

It won't let me post the picture, but it's orange packaging called Hot Hands, Foot Warmers.

25% urea cream sorted mine.

Husband swears by Snowfire ointment, gets it from chemist or Amazon.

I'm with you OP. I've only got one this winter (on my finger) but it's a bastard and I can't get rid of it.
The circulation in my hands is terrible. They're permanently freezing cold, red, and sore.
I'm tempted to ask GP about the Raynauds medication but also reticent to take it because it seems to have serious side effects.

This
https://www.justmylook.com/products/eveline-cosmetics-revitalum-25-urea-intensely-regenerating-cream-compress-75ml

I've just ordered this Snow Fire ointment https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001RYOOPA?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image
Some of the reviews are promising. I'll report back if it works.

Haven’t had chill pains in years but I remember what they were like and so painful - you have my sympathies. I know you don’t want to take them - but I just covered my feet in sudocrem, popped on high tog socks, and eventually gave in and took the prescribed vasodilator tablets and they cleared up quite quickly. After taking the tablets for just over a year I stopped taking them and they’ve only come back once (a very cold dark freezing winter and I couldn’t get my feet warm or dry - boots had holes and at the time I just had no money to replace them). Took the tablets again for a few months, cleared up and I’ve never had them again.

I hope you find the right way for you, and they get better soon

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have them on all 10 of my toes and my heels. Thankfully fingers have been spared

What's your slipper situation @Lilliea ?
I swear by thick soled sheepskin slippers (with warm socks).