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Published on: 7/21/2026
What causes chilblains and who gets them most often?
Chilblains are small, itchy, and painful patches of inflamed skin caused by exposure to cold, damp conditions. When skin warms up too quickly after cold exposure, the small blood vessels near the surface can become damaged, leading to swelling, redness, and discomfort—most often on the fingers, toes, ears, or nose.
Who gets chilblains?
- Women are more commonly affected than men
- People with poor circulation or blood vessel conditions (like Raynaud's phenomenon)
- Individuals with low body weight or a family history of chilblains
- Those living in cold, damp climates
Because chilblains can mimic other skin or vascular conditions—and sometimes signal an underlying issue—it's important to understand what's driving your symptoms. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you evaluate your specific signs, identify possible causes, and determine whether home care is enough or if you should see a doctor. It takes just a few minutes and could save you hours of uncertainty.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026
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Chilblains happen when your skin is exposed to cold and damp conditions, leading to small blood vessels in the skin reacting abnormally. This can cause redness, itching, and swelling, usually on fingers and toes.
Who Gets Chilblains?
- Women: According to the literature, women are more likely to experience non-atherosclerotic vascular diseases, which include conditions like chilblains.
- People with Certain Conditions: Those with specific blood vessel issues may be more prone to chilblains.
Chilblains can be uncomfortable, but they usually go away on their own. If you're experiencing symptoms like redness, swelling, or persistent discomfort on your fingers or toes, try our free symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your symptoms. It's important to keep warm and avoid sudden temperature changes to help prevent them.
(References)
Joseph L, & Kim ESH. (2017). Non-Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease in Women. Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine, 28913687.
Horie S. (2014). [Disorders caused by heat, cold, and abnormal pressure]. Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 24605519.
Ordoñez-Rubiano MF, & Gutiérrez-Marín PA. (2024). Chilblain lupus erythematosus triggered by UV nail lamp .... Lupus, 39285729.
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