TO PREVENT CHILBLAINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21987, 23 June 1933, Page 15

TO PREVENT CHILBLAINS

Though a minor winter complaint, there are few more troublesome affections than chilblains (writes the medical correspondent of the Daily Telegraph), I'or a large number of people they are an annual source of pain and annoyance. Their pathology is to a certain extent known. But the particular idiosyncrasy that makes certain people liable to them has not yet been determined. They are not definitely associated with any condition of general ‘ill-health, and they may appear in persons whose heart and blood vessels are normal in every important respect. Actually a chilblain is almost identical with the first stage of frost-bite. There is a local paralysis of a few small superficial blood vessels usually in the fingers, toes, or tips of the ears, followed by a condition of erythema, or congestion of the skin, and some serious exudation beneath it, as the result of the temporary interference with the local circulation. Bearing this in mind, a good deal can be done both in the way of prevention and cure. Gloves and socks should be warm but loose, and the wearing of gloves adopted earlier and more constantly by those who know themselves liable. 'lf chilblains have actually appeared, the wearing of a knitted finger-stall for a few days and bed-soeks at night may be sufficient to restore matters to normal in a comparatively short time. _ Fainting with a weak tincture of iodine or' the application, after bathing the mart in warm water, of a glyce.nne and alcohol lotion may also be helpful; and the application to each chilblain of a faradie electric current, two or three times repeated, will often clear up the condition promptly and completely. As general measures, reasonabffi activity, the avoidance of cold extremities, and above all. of tight shoes and stockings, are points that sufferers should remember. Care should be- taken in the case of young children, that they should never on cold winter days leave the house otherwise than thoroughly warm.