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Overview :
Chilblains (also
known as pernio) is a reversible form of mild cutaneous cold injury
(frostbite). It may overlap with immersion or trench foot.
Clinical
features:
(1) Skin lesions develop after exposure
to cold, typically during the winter months.
(2) The skin of the ears, fingers, heel,
and/or toes tend to be affected.
(3) Affected areas may initially show
painful erythema, swelling and/or pruritis.
(4) With further exposure subcutaneous
vesicles, bluish discoloration, tenderness, scaling and desquamation may
develop.
(5) Eschars may form on the hands and
feet with persistent pain (pernio).
(6) While the skin lesions reverse after
removal from the cold and wet, pain may persist for some time afterwards.
Risk factors:
(1) mild
peripheral vascular disease
(2) spina bifida
(3) Raynaud's
phenomenon, vasculitis or cold agglutinins
(4) improper
clothing for cold weather
(5) excessive
moisture or perspiration
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