Chilblains First Aid

Workers suffering from chilblains should use the following first aid guidelines:

• Slowly warm the affected area gently with direct body heat. This can be accomplished by putting bare hands over affected areas on the face, or putting the affected areas against the armpits or stomach of another person.
• Use a corticosteroid cream to relieve itching and swelling.
• Keep blisters and ulcers clean and covered to prevent infection.
• Do not scratch, massage, or rub the affected area.
• Do not wet the area or rub it with snow or ice.
• Do not expose the affected area to an open fire, stove, or another other source of intense heat.
• Seek medical attention to evaluation the affected area for tissue damage. Signs and symptoms of tissue damage may be slow to appear.

Chilblains may be get better on its own and usually clear up within one to three weeks. However, they can recur seasonally or with re-exposure to the cold. Chilblains do not usually result in permanent damage, but they can lead to infection.

The best approach to avoid chilblains is to limit your exposure to the cold, dress warmly, and cover exposed skin.

To learn more about Cold Stress Safety visit our Cold Stress, Illness & Injury Safety Online Training web page.