Help! Are these chilblains?

@JudyEv (345280)
Rockingham, Australia
July 26, 2016 7:13am CST
The last few days two fingers have developed redness near the nails. One has been incredibly itchy and if I have an itch I scratch. But I think maybe that was the wrong thing to do as it now looks worse than it did. I had no idea what is causing the redness and itching and I suddenly thought of chilblains. It has been so cold here for days now. I haven't noticed my fingers being particularly cold and I've never had chilblains before but I think that's what I've got. Have you suffered from chilblains in the winter? And if you have, does this look like chilblains to you? And any idea what if anything I need to do now?
22 people like this
19 responses
• United States
26 Jul 16
I have no idea what chilblains is/are?
5 people like this
@Dena91 (16791)
• United States
26 Jul 16
thanks, I thought I was the only one who doesn't know what it is. I did go to wikipedia to learn about it. here's the link about it.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Chilblain Toes inflamed by chilblains Classification and external resources Specialty Emergency medicine ICD-10 T69.1 ICD-9-CM 991.5 DiseasesDB 31219 eMedicine derm/322 MeSH D002647 [edit on
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jul 16
@JudyEv I assume a jumper is a coat?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
@AbbyGreenhill @Dena91 How about that? I don't think they are nearly as common as they used to be. At school kids that didn't have jumpers in winter or whatever would get them.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jul 16
i fear i've nary a clue, hon. seems's though some folks did'n i hope their advice helps ya. i'd be wonderin' 'bout that spray paint?? do ya wear gloves fer such? i'm allergic to weird schtuff these days's the only reason i bring this'p. i hope that'cha find some relief 'n quickly. sendin' healin'
3 people like this
• United States
27 Jul 16
@JudyEv yer welcome 'n i'm glad to hear that such's gettin' better, hon. that itchin' 'n burnin' can jest make ya a bit nuts :D big hugs!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
Thanks for the concern. Chilblains aren't such a big deal but I'm pleased to know this is probably what it is. Good thought about the spray paint but I don't usually get too close although this time I was holding a piece of cardboard to stop the drift. Anyway all the sympathy has nearly cured them already!
3 people like this
@velvet53 (22546)
• Palisade, Colorado
26 Jul 16
I didn't know what chilblains were until I read your discussion here. I have never had them.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22546)
• Palisade, Colorado
27 Jul 16
@JudyEv That is interesting. Here we probably call it frost bite.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
@velvet53 I don't think it is quite the same but certainly it is brought on by cold weather.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I was surprised how many people hadn't ever heard of them. They were quite common when I was a child.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472435)
• Switzerland
26 Jul 16
From what I see they could be chilblains. I have never suffered from chilblains, but my Mom did, she used to keep the fingers in warm water with Epsom salt.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472435)
• Switzerland
27 Jul 16
@JudyEv I am sure that being out in the cold did not help, but it does not seem too serious, I hope you will feel better soon.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
Thanks for that Anna. I've never had them before but perhaps my circulation isn't as good as it once was. We've been out in the cold quite a bit too which probably hasn't helped.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
@LadyDuck They aren't nearly as bad today thanks.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
26 Jul 16
They could be, but it's hard to tell from the photo. I've never had them but I believe they do itch all the time.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
It was pretty tricky taking a photo of my right hand with my left.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
26 Jul 16
@JudyEv Lol - I never thought of that!
2 people like this
@just4him (318962)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Jul 16
I've never had chilblains that I'm aware of. I have had the itching and redness before that just keeps itching once you start scratching. And it has looked like that. I ended up soaking them so they would stop itching. I hope you get some answers to your question that is more helpful.
1 person likes this
@just4him (318962)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Jul 16
@JudyEv I'm glad they're better today. Cold can be blamed for a lot of things.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jul 16
They are much better today although aching a bit. I think it's most the cold weather that is to blame.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
27 Jul 16
It may be that no one here is really qualified to express their thoughts about this. But, have to say looks possible. If this continues, will you get medical help?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
@PatZAnthony @teamfreak16 It seemed to me to be an 'old' complaint like boils that no-one gets much nowadays. It was common years ago when people got cold fingers and toes going to school/work/whatever. Caused by poor circulation apparently so they should go in about a week and I'll be trying to wear gloves more and not get so cold. It's not life-threatening. I just needed a bit of sympathy!
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
26 Jul 16
I've never heard the term. I've never seen red fingers like that. I would be going to the doctor...but then, in Canada its free. I just saw the explanation below, I'd still be going to the doctor...
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
It's free here too but I've heard of childtlains often in the past. It isn't a good photo. I was trying to take a photo of my right hand with my left hand. It's only just below the nails that is really red.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Jul 16
I have only encountered that word in 19th century literature, I think, but as you describe it, I prefer not to encounter it in person.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Jul 16
@JudyEv Glad to hear you are past that unpleasant experience.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I find it hard to believe so many people have never heard of them. They are on the mend already and I'm happier now I know what they are. Those last three words - the fingers took over and I'd typed 'where they live' instead of 'what they are'.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
27 Jul 16
This is the first I've ever heard of chilblains, so I'm not much help.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I'm surprised there are so many who haven't heard of chilblains.
• Australia
27 Jul 16
I used to get chilblains on my feet as a kid. Usually because I ran around without shoes, as most kids did. Yes, the photo looks like chilblains. Mine used to itch like hell when my feet warmed up a bit, so once I had the chilblains, I would try not to let my feet warm up. Counter-productive, but I was a child, and I just wanted to stop the itch.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I'm glad someone else has heard of them! Most of the people who commented had no idea what they were. Mine are a bit better today.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
27 Jul 16
I have no idea about chilblains because we do not have winter here. Could it be some form of allergy? You could ask a doctor about it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I'm pretty sure it is just chilblains. They used to be common when I was a child. Cold weather and bad circulation are the main causes. I guess as I'm getting older I'm not as 'hot-blooded' as I once was.
27 Jul 16
I don't know much about chilblains: never had them. Your fingers definitely look a tad swollen. Thought of consulting a doc, Judy?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
They're much better already thanks. I think I just needed a bit of sympathy. I'll be careful not to let my fingers get too cold in future.
27 Jul 16
How do you feel?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
I don't feel sick or anything like that and my hands are a bit better today.
• Preston, England
26 Jul 16
don't know if it is chilblains - it does look very swollen and tender - see your doctor for advice
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
They're supposed to clear up in a week so I'll wait a while and if they clear up I'll be careful to keep my fingers warmer.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (52011)
• Canada
26 Jul 16
Your fingers look sore, but that is probably from the itching. I have not ever had chilblains, so I'm sorry, but I cannot offer you any help on this one. Hopefully another good myLot member will come along and offer some suggestions.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
Maybe with getting older it's to do with my circulation not being as good as it was.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39267)
• Gouverneur, New York
26 Jul 16
@JudyEv I don't know what chilblains look like. I hope you find out soon what it is and get some relief from the itching.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 16
They've pretty much stopped itching now. They're supposed to go in a week and I'll be careful not to let my hands get too cold.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16791)
• United States
26 Jul 16
It looks painful. I never heard this term before so I went to wikipedia to learn about it. Prayers that it clears up for you quickly. Have a blessed day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345280)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
Thanks for the good wishes. Maybe with getting older my circulation isn't as good as it used to be.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Jul 16
I can't help you.I've never even heard of them before. Hope whatever it is goes away quickly.
1 person likes this