logo

Video encyclopedia

Chilblains

1:47

What are chilblains?

2:57

Sarah Says: How to prevent Chilblains

1:50

How To Relieve Chilblains

3:31

Chilblains / Raynaud’s Syndrome

2:21

Chilblains

Chilblains — also known as perniones, chill burns and perniosis — is a medical condition that occurs when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity, causing tissue damage. It is often confused with frostbite and trench foot. Damage to capillary beds in the skin causes redness, itching, inflammation, and sometimes blisters. Chilblains can be reduced by keeping the feet and hands warm in cold weather, and avoiding extreme temperature changes. Chilblains can be idiopathic, but may also be a manifestation of another serious medical condition that must be investigated. A history of chilblains suggests a connective tissue disease. In infants, chilblains together with severe neurologic disease and unexplained fevers occurs in Aicardi–Goutières syndrome, a rare inherited condition. Ulcerated chilblains are referred to as kibes.