Winter is here.  Although it has been unusually mild this season so far, I wanted to review two things that are risks if we get cold and stay cold: Chilblains and Frostbite. What are they?

Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet.

Chilblains usually clear up within one to three weeks, especially if the weather gets warmer. You may have recurrences seasonally for years. Treatment involves protecting yourself from the cold and using lotions to ease the symptoms. Chilblains don't usually result in permanent injury. But the condition can lead to infection, which may cause severe damage if left untreated.

The best approach to chilblains is to avoid developing them by limiting your exposure to cold, dressing warmly and covering exposed skin.

Frostbite- although usually discussed generically, there are actually four stages. Most people only experience stage 1 because you will naturally want to come out of the cold if outside long enough; however, under neglected circumstances or instances of neuropathy as in diabetics, stroke victims, or alcoholics the later stages can occur.

Stages of frostbite:

1.) Frostnip is mild frostbite that irritates the skin, causing redness, prickling and a cold feeling followed by numbness. Does not permanently damage the skin and can be treated with first-aid measures. May produce chilblains symptoms and with repeat incidences the recurrence that condition that is chilblains.

2.) Superficial frostbite your skin feels warm, a sign of serious skin involvement. A fluid-filled blister may appear 24 to 36 hours after rewarming the skin.

3.) Deep frostbite you may experience numbness. Joints or muscles may no longer work. Large blisters form 24 to 48 hours after rewarming. Afterward, the area turns black and hard as the tissue dies.

4.) Bone and tendon death

Please go to MayoClinic.org for further reading.  © 1998-2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.