Winter hands and winter toes

What are winter hands and winter toes?

Winter hands and winter toes, also called "perniones," are caused by exposure to cold. The blood vessels in the skin contract to keep your body warm. In some people, this also happens in the larger blood vessels of the hands and feet. As a result, blood doesn't flow as well, and the fingers and toes don't get enough oxygen. This leads to symptoms such as itching, pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin. Your hands or feet may turn red, blue or purple.

In addition to your fingers and toes, other body parts may be affected, such as your nose, ears, wrists, or legs. Although the symptoms are usually not serious and go away on their own, they can be persistent and return during the winter months.

When are you at risk?

Everyone can suffer from chilblains or chilblains, but some people are more at risk than others. This may be the case if you:

• Are often in cold or damp conditions.
• Smoke, because smoking constricts blood vessels.
• Take medications such as beta-blockers, which can also constrict blood vessels.
• Exercise sparingly or have a low body weight.
• Wearing tight clothing, which restricts blood flow.

Women and people with a family history of chilblains or chilblains are also more likely to suffer from these symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of chilblains and winter toes can vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are:

• Itching of your fingers, toes or other parts of the body.
• Pain and burning sensation.
• Red, purplish-blue or blue-colored patches on the skin.
• Swelling of fingers or toes.

Sometimes these symptoms can occur in other places, such as your ears, nose or thighs. Scratching the itchy spots can lead to wounds, increasing the risk of infection.

What can you do yourself to prevent symptoms?

There are a number of things you can do yourself to reduce the risk of winter hands and winter toes or reduce symptoms:

• Protect yourself from the cold: Wear warm clothing such as gloves, thick socks, and a hat. Make sure your shoes and clothing are not too tight so that blood circulation is not impeded.
• Keep your body warm: Exercise regularly to maintain your body temperature. For example, climb stairs more often or take a walk.
• Avoid moisture and cold: Put on dry clothes if you've gotten wet, and make sure your home and workplace are well heated.
• Take good care of your skin: Keep skin dry and warm. You may want to use a grease cream such as petroleum jelly to protect your skin.
• Stop smoking: Smoking constricts blood vessels, which increases the risk of winter hands and winter toes.

What can you do if you have symptoms?

If you do develop symptoms, there are a number of measures you can take to relieve the symptoms:

• Warm the affected areas gently: Do this, for example, by wearing warm gloves or socks, but avoid direct contact with heat sources such as a hot jar, as this can damage the skin.
• Don't scratch the itchy spots: Scratching can damage the skin and lead to infections or blisters. So try to avoid this.
• Please consider alternating baths: Some people benefit from alternating baths, where you dip the hands or feet alternately in hot and cold water. This can stimulate blood flow.

Although there are no medications that specifically help with winter hands or winter toes, you can relieve symptoms with self-care products such as creams or hot water baths. Some people also try products such as lanolin cream or petroleum jelly, although there is no scientific evidence that this helps.

Is there no treatment for perniones at all, then?

There are two types of drugs that can provide relief.

Local drugs

Drugs that improve skin blood flow locally could provide relief. Side effects are almost non-existent. Consider capsicum cream 0.075% FNA, available by prescription, or Midalgan Forte, available without a prescription at pharmacies. These drugs are not reimbursed.

Vasodilator drugs

For severe symptoms, vasodilator drugs may be advised. Most of these have side effects and thus are not very popular. Examples are nifedipine, diltiazem, prazosin and pentoxyphylline. These drugs often need to be used for several months.

When should you see your doctor?

Although winter hands and winter toes usually go away on their own, there are situations when it is important to contact your doctor. Call your family doctor if you:

• get blisters, wounds or sores on your hands, fingers, feet or toes.
• Have symptoms even though it's not cold.
• Continue to have symptoms, even when the weather gets warmer in the spring.
• Have other symptoms, such as pain in your joints or sores in your mouth.

These symptoms may indicate an underlying condition, such as diabetes or arthritis.

How does it progress?

Winter hands and winter toes usually go away on their own within a few weeks, especially when the weather gets warmer. In some cases, the symptoms may persist throughout the winter and even return every winter. Particularly in children, the symptoms often disappear on their own after a few years.

Prevention: what can you do to prevent chilblains and chilblains

The most important thing you can do to prevent chilblains or chilblains is to properly protect yourself from the cold. Wear warm, not too tight clothing and exercise enough. In addition, it helps to properly heat your home and workplace. Through small changes in your lifestyle you can reduce the risk of chilblains and chilblains and reduce the symptoms.

If you are unsure about your symptoms or need advice, you can always contact us at the pharmacy.