Why chilblains

Written by: adekun on 1 December, 2008 10:25 pm - Filed under: blog

Each winter I suffer from shimoyake (chilblains). The snow hasn’t even arrived, yet my toes puffed-up in the middle of November. Before arriving in Japan, the only time I can remember getting them was as a child having stuck my feet too close to the fire.
I don’t think I’m doing anything to cause them; my diet isn’t bad, moreover, I don’t hide under the kotatsu and then roam around bare footed or vice-versa. Perhaps I’m more susceptible and have poor circulation. I hope it’s something I’m doing, as they make walking and cycling a bane.

Tags: whinge

4 responses to Why chilblains »

Melissa Maples

1 January, 2009 #

This sounds crazy, but have you tried onions? I read a home remedy thing that said to cut an onion in half and rub the cut edge over the chilblains, and let the juice soak in. As you can imagine, I wasn’t too thrilled to try it, but I finally got desperate… and it worked. The itching went away almost instantly, and the swelling and hardness was gone within a couple of days.

Worth a try, definitely.
adekun

1 January, 2009 #

That sounds like an old wives’ tale. My Granny said to wee on them. So the idea of rubbing an onion is certainly more agreeable (more importantly, for everyone). I read by eating them, blood circulation is improved. A topical application doesn’t seem such a bad idea. Thanks for the tip. Quite timely as the snow arrived during the night.
San

13 January, 2009 #

I am a 30 yr old who moved from FL to NY in Nov. For the first time, I got chilblains on all my toes. When it got worse, I saw a doctor and he gave me a gel (Voltaren) to apply. It did bring down the inflammation. He also asked me to take aspirin to make the blood thinner, which in turn helps improve circulation. Soaking feet in salty warm water and massaging with coconut oil also helps. Instead of cotton socks, I started wearing woollen ones.
adekun

15 January, 2009 #

Sounds as though you got it bad. I think the snow doesn’t help. I’m wearing an extra pair of hiking socks and already feel an old foggie. I got told to massage my digits in the bath.