Chilblains

Symptoms of chillblains include dermatitis in toes, fingers, earlobes, nose and other extremities. This may present as: • Burning and itching sensations • Throbbing pain • Skin discoloration (red to dark blue) with erythema (blanchable redness) • Blistering of affected area • Ulceration (in severe cases only) Chilblains caused by exposure to cold and humidity usually heal within 7–14 days. == Treatment ==

Nifedipine and amlodipine, which are vasodilators in the class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers, may be used as treatments. Vasodilation may reduce pain, facilitate healing, and prevent recurrences. Vasodilators are typically available in an oral pill but can be compounded into a topical formula. Diltiazem, another vasodilator, is also sometimes used. == Etymology ==

The word is a compound of Modern English chill 'cold' and the archaic word blain (now used only in the word in question), meaning 'swelling', 'blister' or 'sore' and derived from Old English bleġen, bleġene, having the same meaning. ==Alternative remedies==

The medieval ''Bald's Leechbook'' recommended treating chilblains with a mixture of eggs, wine, and fennel root. A modern-day home remedy is to put garlic on the chilblains. Other herbal remedies supposed to be vasodilating, rubifacient, and warming, have been recommended. == COVID-19 ==

Chilblain-like symptoms have also been linked to COVID-19. COVID toes, as they are commonly known, have mostly been reported in older children and adolescents, The symptoms are usually mild and disappear without treatment. They may share some of the microscopic features of chilblains caused by lupus. == See also ==