Chill pills: Homeopathic remedies for chilblains

Keep your fingers and toes pain-free this winter with homeopath David Needleman’s five favorite remedies for chilblains

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, chilblains are an increasingly common complaint. Also known as pernio, chilblains are small, itchy red or purple areas of swelling on the skin caused by an abnormal reaction to cold or damp weather.

Symptoms can include intense itching and burning sensations with swelling and tenderness in the affected area as well as blistering and cracked skin. In severe cases, they can even lead to ulcers and infections.

The fingers and toes are most often affected, but you can also get chilblains on your face and legs. The most recent case of chilblains I treated was on the upper part of the patient’s ear.

What causes chilblains?

Chilblains are usually triggered by exposure to cold, damp conditions. Cold causes small blood vessels near the surface of the skin to narrow, reducing the flow of blood.

When the skin warms up again, these vessels widen. If this happens too quickly—if you put cold feet directly against a radiator, for example, or if you soak cold hands in hot water—fluid in the blood vessels can leak into nearby tissue, causing inflammation, pain, swelling and itching.

Preventing chilblains

Chilblains can be prevented by keeping your body, and particularly your hands, feet and face, warm and dry. It’s important to avoid subjecting the skin to rapid temperature changes.

Dress in layers and insulate exposed areas as much as possible when going out in cold weather. Then warm up gradually when coming in from the cold and avoid putting cold hands and feet in direct contact with heat sources like radiators, fires and hot water bottles.

Regular exercise may help by encouraging healthy circulation, and avoid tight footwear that restricts circulation to the toes. Wearing warm socks in bed may also help.

Also make sure you are getting enough vitamin B12. It supports nerve function and blood cell production, which are important for maintaining healthy circulation.

This is especially important for diabetics, as metformin, the standard first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, can deplete levels of vitamin B12 in the body. There is also a problem with peripheral circulation in diabetics, and so their feet should be checked by a healthcare practitioner regularly.

Treating chilblains

Chilblains will generally get better on their own in about two to three weeks, but in that time there can be considerable discomfort, especially if the skin is broken. Here are four homeopathic remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms and speed the healing process.

Agaricus Muscarius (Fly Agaric)

Also known as Santa Claus Mushroom or Father Christmas Mushroom, this is the number one remedy for chilblains. It’s indicated for symptoms such as burning, itching, redness, swelling and the appearance of hard pimples or skin rashes with fluid-filled blisters.

This remedy is ideal for someone who is highly sensitive to cool air and cold weather and suffers swollen veins and cold skin when exposed to it. They may also report itching and burning sensations around their body, especially in the ears and toes.

Acidum Nitricum (Nitric Acid)

Often used for urinary tract infections, this remedy is also useful for treating chilblains—especially on the toes. It may be the best remedy when there is intense itching with sharp stabbing or prickling pains.

Petroleum

This remedy can be used for chilblains that tend to be moist with itching and burning sensations. The skin may also crack and bleed.

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla is what we homeopaths call a polycrest remedy. Polycrest comes from the Greek words meaning “many” and “useful,” so a polycrest remedy is one that has multiple uses and can treat a wide variety of conditions.

If you have a homeopathic remedy kit, Pulsatilla will likely be in it, so it’s a good first-aid option for chilblains. If you’ve ordered one of the other remedies but they’ve yet to arrive, you can start with Pulsatilla.

Suggested dosages

For all these remedies, I recommend a 30C potency, taken three times a day until symptoms have resolved. For best results, use an oral remedy alongside topical treatment (see below).

My top topical remedy

Alongside homeopathic remedies taken by mouth, I always recommend a topical treatment for chilblains—a cream made from the Tamus plant, also known as Dioscorea communis, black bryony, lady’s seal or black bindweed.

Homeopathically, Dioscorea is usually used as a treatment for colic in babies. As a cream (homeopathic pharmacies like Helios can make it for you on request), it can help to alleviate the symptoms of chilblains. Apply it to the affected area three times a day until the symptoms have resolved.

Which remedy for chilblains?

Here’s a quick look at which homeopathic remedies to use for the chief symptoms associated with chilblains. Agaricus Muscarius is suitable for pain, itching and inflammation, which is why it’s my go-to remedy for chilblains.

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