User:Mr. Ibrahem/Chilblains
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chilblains, also known as pernio, is a type of cold injury that results in red, itchy, and tender areas of skin.[1][4] Less commonly blistering and ulceration may occur.[4] The fingers, toes, ears and cheeks are most commonly affected.[4]
Chilblain | |
---|---|
Other names | Pernio,[1] perniones,[2] perniosis,[1] kibes[3] |
Toes inflamed by chilblains | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Emergency medicine |
Symptoms | Redness, itching, blistering[4] |
Usual onset | Within a few hours[1] |
Duration | 1 to 2 weeks[1] |
Causes | Prolonged cold exposure[5] |
Risk factors | Lupus, smoking, family history, Raynaud's[1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and examination[6] |
Differential diagnosis | Frostbite, trench foot, leukemia cutis, cold panniculitis[5][7][8] |
Prevention | Keeping the hands and feet warm[1] |
Treatment | Corticosteroid creams[1] |
Chilblains typically occurs due to prolonged exposure to cold.[5][8] The degree of cold; however, is less than freezing, which would result in frostbite.[5] Risk factors include lupus, smoking, family history, and Raynaud's.[1] The underlying mechanism involves the inflammation of small blood vessels.[1][4] Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and examination.[6]
Prevention is generally by keeping the hands and feet warm.[1] Other measures may include avoiding caffeine and potentially taking nifedipine.[1] Treatment may involve the use of corticosteroid creams.[1] It may take a week or two for an episode to resolve.[1]
Chilblains is relatively common in regions of the world with cold climates.[8] The young and old are most commonly affected.[1] Women are more commonly affected than men.[8] The condition has been described since at least the 1st century by Pedanius Dioscorides of Anazarbus.[9]