Chilblains are an irregular reaction of the tiny blood vessels in the skin to variations in temperatures. Typically the defective response results in a uncomfortable reddish itching spot that then becomes a darker bluish color since waste elements build up. They are more common in the cooler climates.
Ordinarily if the feet become colder, the tiny arteries within the skin close-up to conserve heat after which once the skin is warmed up after that those small blood vessels open up. That is a normal process.
Every time a chilblain occurs those small blood vessels for some not known reason remain closed more than they need to as the epidermis heats up. Consequently the metabolic requirements of your skin is not getting supplied by way of the circulation through these smaller arteries. After that, typically, the blood vessels will rapidly open up bringing about a red patch on the skin linked to inflammation. With the release of inflamation related mediators this lesion on the epidermis will become itchy and also painful. Since the waste products in the skin increase because of this process it changes to a more dark shade. This can ultimately get better. It will become long-term when one more chilblain occurs as the result of recurring cold exposures without taking precautionary steps.
Chilblains don't seem to be a result of “cold”; they're caused by a too fast warming up of the foot after it's cold and the blood vessels that were narrowed are not given time to open by slowly and gradually warming the feet. Poor circulation isn't the cause of chilblains, it is just how the arteries responds to changes in temperatures which is the situation. A great deal of younger individuals with great blood circulation get them.
The prevention of chilblains is by first of all not getting cold and then if you do get colder to allow the foot to warm-up gradually. The treating of chilblains is usually to safeguard the spot and encourage the blood circulation which will help prevent another one from coming about.