The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Black Pepper
Posted by Susan (Dublin, Ireland) on 01/05/2011
I would like to add to the other comments by saying that I found essential oil of black pepper to be very effective for the awful itch of chilblains. You can put it on neat and it will take away the itch (I think that's similar to the "treat like with like", ie obviously the pepper is hot and so are the chilblains). Don't get near eyes! You can also rub in a carrier oil and then add a few drops of black pepper oil. Also, exercise - jumping up and down, a rebounder, skipping etc. Get the blood flowing. Get a basin of cold water and step in and out, or run your feet under the cold tap, then put on the oil, put on lightweight socks and start jumping!
Diagnosing Chilblains
Posted by Cashew (London, UK) on 03/22/2024
Last year when we had prolonged cold weather one of my hands started getting red and itchy. After a bit of research on Google it seemed like chilblains was the reason.
However, more recently, in cold weather, that hand is still turning red but sometimes purple. Once my hand warms up the colour disappears. Is this something I should be worried about?
Diagnosing Chilblains
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/22/2024
Also, look up “palmar erythema”.
And yes, be concerned about it. It's a sign of an underlying health condition.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Deb W. (Wisconsin) on 11/09/2016
★★★★★
This is an easy one. I had chilblains. I didn't know what they were at first. I mentioned it to my Dad and he told me to use rubbing alcohol. So, I put some on a cotton ball and rubbed my toes with it. Didn't take to many days and it was gone. So to keep it from coming back, I put the rubbing alcohol on my toes before I went outside to keep it from coming back. I have no need for it anymore.
Epsom Salt and Coconut Oil
Posted by Trish (Whanagui, New Zealand ) on 07/21/2015
★★★★★
I looked on this site for help with chilblains on my toes. They were so painful I could barely walk. I decided to soak my feet in warm water with Epsom salts and then massage with coconut oil. I went to bed noticing my toes felt quite hot but comfortable. Felt a bit better in the morning and took 2 anti flams. By mid day there was hardly any discomfort. I am not sure what worked but am repeating it again hoping to be rid of them by tomorrow. I am excited to say the least. Thanks everyone who posted their helpful hints.
Peppermint and Neem Oils
Posted by Mary (Utica, Ny) on 03/30/2014
★★★★★
Chilblains Treatment: My husband has suffered with red, raw toes for years. This occurs only in the winter time. While researching this site there was no doubt he has Chilblains. We started trying different suggestions. Peppermint oil, helped. Went to health food store they suggested neem oil. We mixed the two oils together, applied twice each day. Unbelievably, redness is gone and so is the pain. He will keep applying till cold weather is over.
Silica Gel
Posted by Joey L (Oxford, Uk) on 03/29/2013
★★★★★
I have got to share this nugget of wisdom I have found for relieving chilblains...
Selica Gel. The packets you get when you buy new items, to keep them dry. Put some in your socks and wear them. This has gotten me through a working day on my feet without aggravating the soreness, and I believe it helps clear up the condition from keeping the feet from getting too humid/wet.
Vitamin K
Posted by Lanna (Wichita, Kansas) on 03/22/2013
Amb - Wow... You have tried a lot of things. I am curious if you think the vitamin K helped at all? I hope that you found something that worked for you.
Coconut Oil, Lavender, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Miss (Edinburgh, Scotland) on 12/18/2012
★★★★★
I made a homemade hand cream from coconut oil, aloe vera and emulsifying wax (bees wax). One Tbsp of each, stirred together in a bowl over a pot of hot water. Each night and morning I would put one drop each of lavender and tea tree essential oil in the palm of my hand - and half a tsp of my coconut hand cream. I would massage it slowly and firmly and gently onto both hands. The massage would take about 5 minutes. I paid particular attention to my nail beds, and finger tips. The chilblains were terrible, but after a week of this my fingers were warmer, healthier and without pain. I wore cotton gloves to bed, at night, to allow the cream to better absorb.
I am so happy with the result. I'd tried all sorts of other things prior to this - with no result at all.
Over the Counter
Posted by Steven (Fryeburg, Maine) on 05/03/2011
★★★★★
Hemorriod cream appied to affected areas, also to areas that are known to give problems as a preventive messure. Wear cotton socks and merino wool socks over them. Buy shoes for the cold weather months sized for the extra socks. This has brought relief to me.
Mustard
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 02/15/2010 84 posts
I remember the awful combo of the itch and pain. I had chillblains in the arch of my foot and the only relief I could get was to stand at the bottom of the stairs and rub my foot on the carpet jumping from one foot to the other till I cut the skin or my mother caught me - whichever came first.
Bathing my feet with mustard powder was what helped me. This seemingly heated the skin closer to the level of the blood vessels and created less constriction. Use a tablespoon to start in a basin of water and go up if it doesn't increase to heat in you skin. One person I know that this remedy also helped used 1/4/tsp mustard powder and a tsp of vaseline and rubbed it on his feet instead of putting it into water.
DO NOT USE this remedy if the chillblains have cut your skin as the mustard powder will burn. The chillblains disappeared at some stage in my teens - never to return.
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, France) on 01/06/2011
For many years I have only had chillblains on my feet (as a teenager I had them in my hands as well). This year luckily I had none, maybe it has something to do with the age but what I always did was bathe my feet one minute in very hot water and 30 seconds in cold water ending with hot. Usually one bath would finish them off for the whole of the winter! I hope this helps...
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 07/21/2011
What a great idea, Bill.... I was very much affected by chillblains when I was a child as well. Nowadays I sometimes get them on my feet, not too bad but still bothersome! I bathe my feet 1 min in hot water and then 30 seconds in cold water (more or less, you don't need to be precise). Usually one bath does the trick but coming winter I will try the onion!
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Jay (Warrenville,il) on 12/31/2013
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing this after you got well. I have the same exact symptoms and I was deeply worried about infections, gout, etc which are difficult to treat. Perhaps if I had gone to a doc they would have prescribed some antibiotics thinking it some infection. We people with internet can be better in diagnosis. Once again, thanks for sharing
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Renee Wagner (Iowa, US) on 01/07/2015
This is the third year I've gotten Chilblains. It's truly miserable. The first year, I didn't know what the heck it was. Last year was horrible and this year, well, doesn't look any better. I'm going to try the tea tree oil and coconut oil. I have those at home. Calamine and cortisone did not help at all. I bought diabetic socks which help slightly. I'm always cold. My doc advised last year not to warm my feet up too fast or with too hot of water. My feet were so ugly after this. I have an episode every two weeks until March or April. I wouldn't get a pedicure until all the blood blisters healed. Ibuprofin helps me with the pain and stops some of the itching. Good luck to anyone who gets this.
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Ria (London, Uk ) on 02/10/2015
★★★★★
Only one way out of this. Please apply any cream that heats up like red heat, Vicks vaporub, tiger balm and wear socks, it will go away within 1 week, I assure you.
Elevate Feet, Exercise
Posted by Paul G. (Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada) on 02/14/2015
I tried massaging / rubbing my big toe as soon as I noticed the chilblain. That made it much worse! Right now I'm elevating my leg. That seems to help a little.
