Chill Blains and extremely cold feet

[Steve ABZ]

Hey its my first post and I was wondering does anyone have any tips for extremely painful chill blains and cold feet I just cannot get my feet warm. I have chill blains on the underside of the big toe and on the side of the middle and small toes. I have brought heat warmer thermal socks and wear 2 to three pairs of socks at home and just cannot get the feet warm. I have been to the Diabetic nurse and done and econsulte with the GP and they have said you just have to wait for the chill blains to go on there own. I have had them on and off now for nearly three months and I am like a bear with a sore head with the pain. I have also changed and worn different shoes with no luck. Some advice would be appreciated. Thank you. A miserable 56 year old.

 

[helli]

Sorry you get chillblains - they are a pest.
I have been getting them since I was a child so have done a bit of reading up on them. They are caused by blood vessels bursting when they heat up quickly. This is because the blood vessels shrink when they are cold and expand when they get hot.
The secret is to avoid them getting cold in the first place, You mention your multiple layers of socks. This is a good idea to keep already warm feet warm but they do not heat up feet - they insulate them from any heat they could get if they start cold.

Like your doc says, I have not found a cure for existing chillblains apart from time. Germolene (or Savalon) eases the itchiness. And, as my Mum always told me, "don't scratch them".

 

[stillgoing]

I used to get very cold legs and I read that sometimes this is due to hypothyroidism. So my GP did the tests and started on medication for it. I go warm down to the knees so got levels rechecked and GP said it was safe to increase so got my feet warm. Just a thought. Discuss with your GP and see if you can get your levels checked.

 

[Steve ABZ]

Sorry you get chillblains - they are a pest.
I have been getting them since I was a child so have done a bit of reading up on them. They are caused by blood vessels bursting when they heat up quickly. This is because the blood vessels shrink when they are cold and expand when they get hot.
The secret is to avoid them getting cold in the first place, You mention your multiple layers of socks. This is a good idea to keep already warm feet warm but they do not heat up feet - they insulate them from any heat they could get if they start cold.

Like your doc says, I have not found a cure for existing chillblains apart from time. Germolene (or Savalon) eases the itchiness. And, as my Mum always told me, "don't scratch them".

many thanks for the advice

 

[Inka]

I use an old remedy called Snowfire. It’s like a giant chapstick and green. You rub it on and it does help. It also keeps them lubricated.

As @helli says, the trick is to get your feet warm before putting on your socks. Also, use warm slippers indoors and avoid standing or resting your feet too long on cold flooring. The worst chilblains I had was when I lived in a house with flagstones - lovely but lethal for the feet! I got better slippers and stood on a thick rug to cook.

 

[Steve ABZ]

I use an old remedy called Snowfire. It’s like a giant chapstick and green. You rub it on and it does help. It also keeps them lubricated.

As @helli says, the trick is to get your feet warm before putting on your socks. Also, use warm slippers indoors and avoid standing or resting your feet too long on cold flooring. The worst chilblains I had was when I lived in a house with flagstones - lovely but lethal for the feet! I got better slippers and stood on a thick rug to cook.

Thanks for the tips - I tried to snowfire from Boots today however I was informed that it’s difficult to buy this at the moment so I was given witch hazel instead 🙂

 

[Inka]

Thanks for the tips - I tried to snowfire from Boots today however I was informed that it’s difficult to buy this at the moment so I was given witch hazel instead 🙂

I would think witch hazel might sting : s How annoying you can’t get the Snowfire.

Did the doctor suggest tablets? There are tablets you can have if needed. They open the blood vessels. I’ve never taken them but a friend did at school when she had dreadful chilblains on her hands that were affecting her in class.

 

[Ditto]

I didn't realise people still get chillblains. I thought it was an ailment of the past with our having central heating and the like. I googled Snowfire, very interesting and a tad expensive.

 

[Inka]

I didn't realise people still get chillblains. I thought it was an ailment of the past with our having central heating and the like. I googled Snowfire, very interesting and a tad expensive.

It’s around £4 I think. It does last ages though. I bought my last stick a couple of years ago and it’s still going strong. The smell is rather nice too (well, to me anyway).

 

[KARNAK]

Just a quick question before I comment, how much caffeine coffee or tea do you
consume in a day?

 

[goodybags]

Hi Steve ABZ
I’m not saying it will cure or help you,but my tip might help
I often get a cold feeling in my feet,
however my feet are actually still warm to the touch and not cold at all,
when this drives me crazy I find rubbing VIC on my feet helps, then putting them in thick socks (like thermal ski socks) helps.

this might sound crazy but it helps (for me) - rubbing VIC on your feet is I'm told remedy for cough & cold,
so great in this cold weather.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Steve ABZ

Sorry to hear about your chillblains. My wife was plagued with them, when we were first married and doing up a draughty house.

Have you had your pulses and circulation checked recently (i know it has been tough getting regular checkups for most people)

Hope you find the witch hazel helpful (or snowfire if you can get hold of some)