Chilblains are what is termed a non-freezing cold problem. It's a condition that happens in the cold temperatures however is not a freezing cold problem like frostbite. Chilblains are an irregular response of the small blood vessels within the toes to a change in temperature coming from cold to warm. Generally if the feet are cooler, the blood vessels close up to save heat. In general once the feet are heated up those arteries should really open up to improve blood circulation to the tissues. In a chilblain the blood vessels stay closed up for a extended interval of time and then finally and quickly open up. This creates an inflammatory response that triggers a painful reddish area on the toe. After a few days waste elements develop in the skin and the colour changes to a dark blue colour. They are generally rather painful.
The simplest way to take care of a chilblain should be to not get one to start with. You need to do this by certainly not enabling the foot to get cooler using warm hosiery and protective shoes. If the foot will get cold, then it is important to let it warm up slowing to give the circulation the chance to react to that heating up. It is the too quick heating up of the epidermis which is the problem in a chilblain. If a chilblain may occur, then it is required to be covered. Good warmer hosiery as well as shoes really should be worn. Applying a chilblain cream to rub the chilblain aids in the circulation helping with taking away those waste products which have built up. If the skin gets damaged, then appropriate dressing with antiseptics must be used and kept being used until it gets better since there is a heavy risk for an infection. It is then extremely important to protect against any further chilblains occuring in subsequent days or else there is a possibility that this may become a persistent ailment.