Elevation
When suffering from chilblains, the first thing you need to do is elevate the affected area. This will help improve blood circulation, in turn reducing swelling, inflammation and pain.
You can place your hands and legs on a few pillows to keep them elevated. If your nose or ears are affected, sit in a high-backed chair and bend your neck backwards.
You can also wrap yourself with a warm blanket and drink a glass of hot chocolate or a cup of warm herbal tea to help your body adapt to warm temperature. Once your body adjusts to the room temperature, gently massage the affected area with warm coconut oil or olive oil to improve blood flow.
Massage
With the onset of the winter months, you need to massage your hands and legs gently in circular motions twice daily, in the morning and at night before going to bed. This will ensure good blood circulation and reduce your risk of developing chilblains.
You can use palm oil or castor oil to massage your hands and legs.
Another option is to add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender, rosemary or lemon oil to any good quality vegetable oil and use it to massage.
Onion
A popular age-old remedy for chilblains is onions. Onions have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibiotic properties that can help reduce itching, pain, swelling and inflammation, and reduce the risk of infection.
Cut an onion into thick slices. Gently rub a slice of onion over the affected area. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then wipe it off with a warm washcloth. Do this 2 or 3 times a day for 1 to 2 weeks.
Alternatively, grind 1 to 2 onions into a paste. Apply it all over the affected area and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the paste off with cold water. Do this a few times daily for 1 or 2 weeks.
Potatoes
Potatoes can bring down the itching and inflammation caused by chilblains to a great extent, due to their anti-irritating and soothing properties. They are also good for treating blisters that develop with chilblains.
potatoes for chilblains
Cut a raw potato into thick slices. Sprinkle some salt on the slices and gently rub them on the affected area.
Boil 1 or 2 potatoes in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the solution to cool down. Soak the affected area in the solution for about 10 minutes.
Follow either of these treatments twice daily for a week.