Chilblains

As the weather cools down, chilblains become more common. They're itchy, sore patches that usually appear on the toes and fingers after you've been in the cold. Most chilblains heal on their own, and the most useful thing you can do is keep warm and avoid sudden changes in temperature.

What are chilblains?

Chilblains (also called perniosis) are itchy, swollen and painful lumps or patches on the skin that form after exposure to cold.¹ They most often affect the toes and fingers, but can also appear on the heels, nose, ears and thighs.¹ They usually show up a few hours after you've been in the cold.²

Chilblains usually clear up within 1–3 weeks.²,³ In some people they keep coming back each winter or become long-lasting.³ If the skin blisters or breaks down, it can become infected, so it's worth looking after carefully.

What causes it?

Chilblains are an abnormal reaction of the small blood vessels in the skin to cold.³ When you get cold, the small blood vessels in your toes and fingers narrow. When you warm up again, the vessels near the surface open up faster than the deeper ones, and fluid can leak into the surrounding tissue. This causes pain, itching and changes in skin colour.² That's why warming cold feet quickly, for example in front of a heater, can make chilblains worse.²

You're more likely to get chilblains if you:¹,³

• are female
• are a child or teenager, or a young to middle-aged adult
• have a low body weight
• smoke
• have poor circulation
• are often in damp, windy or cold conditions.

Chilblains can also occur with some immune conditions, such as lupus.³

Signs and symptoms

Chilblains can cause:¹,²

• reddish-purple bumps or patches on the skin
• itching, or a burning feeling
• swelling and pain
• blisters, sometimes filled with clear fluid.

In more severe cases the skin can break down into an open sore (ulcer).

What can help?

Prevention. Keep your hands, feet and whole body warm:¹

• wear loose, warm clothes that cover your arms and legs, plus gloves and thick socks¹
• keep your home and workplace warm, and avoid getting cold and damp
• exercise regularly to help your circulation, and don't smoke.¹

Self-care. If you get chilblains:

• warm the skin up gradually, and avoid hot water, heaters and radiators²
• don't scratch or pick at the skin¹,²
• use a moisturiser, and try gentle massage¹
• cut down on caffeine, and avoid decongestants and smoking.²

A pharmacist can suggest a soothing lotion for the itch.²

What a podiatrist can do. At Foot Ankle Lower Limb, we can check the skin, dress any blisters or sores so they heal well and don't get infected, and give you advice on warm footwear, socks and insoles. We'll also check whether there's something else going on, such as poor circulation.

Medical treatment. If your chilblains are severe or keep coming back, your GP may prescribe a cream or a medicine that widens the blood vessels.¹,²,³

When to see a podiatrist

See a podiatrist or GP if:¹,²

• your chilblains haven't improved after 2–3 weeks, or keep coming back
• the pain is hard to control
• there are signs of infection, such as pus, or you feel feverish
• you have diabetes.

People with diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system should get foot sores checked early, because they can be slower to heal. The same goes for a child whose chilblains are severe or keep returning.

If chilblains are bothering you this winter, book an appointment with our podiatrists.

References

1. Healthdirect Australia (2024). Chilblains. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chilblains
2. NHS (2026). Chilblains. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chilblains/
3. Oakley A, Tang GT, Nixon R (2021). Chilblains. DermNet. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/chilblains

Reviewed by Andrew Schox, Podiatrist, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod. Last reviewed October 2026.